Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Lights… check… Monitors… Good.” Gon adjusted the camera so that he was centered on the screen, giving himself a thumbs-up, his grin so wide it practically touched his ears. His surroundings were a whirlwind of green, with posters of Greed Island characters and other gaming memorabilia cluttering the walls behind him, creating unintentional chaos. Plopping down into his matching green gaming chair, he fired up Ankitoba, the streaming platform, its vibrant neon colors flashing across his face. With a quick glance at his settings, he queued up his usual “coming soon” video and let out a satisfied sigh.

“What's it today, big shot?” Killua’s voice floated lazily from across the room, where he sprawled on Gon's bed, his head hanging upside down. Killua was Gon's best friend from grade school, the kind of friend who didn’t get the thrill of streaming but supported him anyway, albeit with plenty of sarcasm. Gon smirked, rolling his wrists and cracking his fingers one by one as if preparing for battle.

“Gonna raid in Razors Forest, and hopefully get the new bow they introduced!” He said, exaggerating the motion as he mimed pulling back on a bowstring, aiming it dramatically at Killua’s chest. With a dramatic “pew," he let go of the imaginary arrow. Killua raised an unimpressed eyebrow, barely reacting.

“Don’t you need a group to do that?” Killua asked, tossing his phone aside and propping himself up on his elbows. “Or are you planning to charm the bow out of the NPCs with your smile?”

Gon grinned, though his eyes flicked to his screen to check if his usual squad had logged in. Sure enough, they had. He quickly sent a flurry of colorful emoticons and welcoming messages, his cheeks aching from the smile that never seemed to fade, excitement radiating through his words as he typed.

Greed Island had been a massive hit, and Gon had dove into it from the very start. He’d streamed its release, his streams gaining an unexpected surge in popularity. The game’s sprawling landscapes, dynamic arenas, and intricate questlines had sucked him in completely. He had become so obsessed that he’d skipped more than a few college classes just to keep streaming, completely absorbed by the world of the game.

It wasn’t long before Masadora, a major gaming PC manufacturer, took notice of his growing audience and offered him a sponsorship. That was the turning point. With their support, Gon finally found a balance between school and streaming, maintaining a steady schedule that let him thrive in both, and best of all, he was being paid. But Killua? He still had his usual teasing routine.

"It’s not a hobby anymore, Killua." Gon whined, spinning in his chair to face his best friend, trying to hold onto his cool as he shot Killua a mock glare.

“Oh yeah?” Killua drawled, lounging on the bed with one hand resting on his stomach, the other mindlessly scrolling through his phone. “How much are you pulling in? Fifty bucks a stream?”

Gon froze, his eyebrows furrowing as the words hit him like a ton of bricks. His mind scrambled, trying to calculate how much he actually made from his streams. Before he could mentally burst into flames, he grabbed his phone and opened the Ankitoba streamer app.

Ankitoba Streaming Partner: Earnings Breakdown (Last 30 days):

Subscriptions: $15,438

Donations: $902

Ads: $7,032

Heat flared up the back of Gon’s neck, and his cheeks turned a deep crimson. His mouth went dry, and he quickly exited the app, locking his phone as if it had just betrayed him. No way Killua could find out. If he did, it’d be all over. The teasing would stop, but he'd probably lose Killua to Greed Island. Killua would do pretty much anything for money.

Though he would highly disagree, Killua was notoriously bad with money. If he had that much, it’d all be gone within a week, spent on chocolate, arcade tokens, or who knows what else.

Gon, however, was in it for the long haul. He wanted to buy a house after college, and streaming was his golden ticket. No part-time job could even compare to the earnings he made just by sitting in his chair, playing his favorite games. That didn’t even factor in the free sponsorships and high-end gear he’d received. He could almost see the future, where he’d have a place of his own, and could pay his Aunt Mito back for all she had done for him over the years.

“Gon?” Killua’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “Well? How much did you make this month?” Gon grimaced, fingers nervously drumming on his desk.

“Not much, really…” He muttered, spinning back around to fiddle with his stream settings. Killua’s loud snort in response made him wince, and he slouched in his chair a little in response. As the timer for the raid counted down, he geared up with his best armor and bow. Kon, his fox-bear familiar, stood proudly next to his avatar, sniffing the air as if anticipating the coming raid. His chat began to fill with his usual viewers and new subscription sounds began blaring through his speakers as new viewers joined. Gon grinned, and the clock struck zero, signaling the start of the raid.

“All right guys, let's get that bow!”

–

Gon’s stream had gone off without a hitch, and about an hour into it he was finally reaching the arena that held the legendary bow he craved. His excitement was palpable as he leaned closer to the screen.

“All right, chat, this is it! I really need Pokkle’s Rainbow Blaze!” He whined, his fingers drumming impatiently against his desk. From the corner of the room, Killua snorted, and Gon shot him a quick glare, but Killua's expression remained casual, amused by Gon's excitement.

Ignoring him, Gon refocused on the screen. His character, WildStrider, was just a few steps away from the treasure he’d been hunting for weeks, and the tension in the air was electric. He felt it in his bones, and the familiar rush of anticipation surged through him.

WildStrider was a fine-tuned machine at this moment. Dressed in dark green leather armor with golden accents, he stood tall amidst the wild greenery of Razor’s Forest, his cropped black hair tipped with deep green glinting in the sunlight. By his side, Kon, his loyal foxbear, trotted along, sniffing the air, ears perked as if sensing something just beyond the horizon.

“Alright, WildStrider, we got this." Gon muttered to himself, gripping the edges of his gaming chair.

Around him, the rest of his raid team assembled; knights, healers, and archers in all shapes and sizes, each player representing a different part of the community. Gon’s grin widened as the chat window lit up with its usual chaotic energy:

[Greed_Fan_99]: LET’S GOOOOO! POKKLE’S BOW OR RIOT!
[GamingAce]: Bet he doesn’t get it.
[KonStanFan]: Can we take a second to appreciate KON? The real MVP.
[ScarletWarden]: Play smart, WildStrider.
[DrHustle]: WILDSTRIDER CAN HANDLE IT. BELIEVE.

“See? My chat has my back!” Gon declared proudly, his grin infectious as he pointed at the screen, basking in the supportive messages.

“Your chat also thinks your foxbear is cuter than you." Killua muttered lazily from the bed, his voice dripping with dry humor. Gon huffed and turned to face his best friend.

“Killua!” He groaned, but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He turned back to his game, ignoring the look Killua was sending him.

As the raid prepared, a new message caught his eye. His heart skipped a beat.

[SilverBloom]: If WildStrider doesn’t get it, we’ll have to form a pity raid.

Gon froze for a moment, his face lighting up in recognition. Warmth spread across his chest, and his fingers paused midair over the keyboard.

“Oh! Hey, SilverBloom! Glad you could make it today!” Gon’s tone softened, and for a brief moment, he felt like the only thing in the world was her message.

SilverBloom was the one constant in his chaotic streaming life, the one person who had supported him since day one, and someone who always made him feel like he was doing something right. She was his first follower on all platforms, and was consistently chatting and cheering him on during streams or even offline.

“Oh, your girlfriend joined the chat finally?” Killua teased, still lounging across the bed, completely disinterested in the game. Gon’s cheeks went from a pleasant pink to a furious red, and he felt his stomach flip.

“She’s not my girlfriend, Killua!” He snapped, his voice higher than he intended. Heart hammering, he quickly glanced at the stream chat to make sure no one had noticed his embarrassment.

[Greed_Fan_99]: GON'S GIRLFRIEND IN THE CHAT, LET’S GOOOOOO!
[GamingAce]: Confirmed: WildStrider x SilverBloom is canon.
[KonStanFan]: SILVERBLOOM x WILDSTRIDER 2025 SHIP OF THE YEAR.
[ScarletWarden]: Stay focused, chat.
[DrHustle]: SILVERBLOOM x WILDSTRIDER = GOLDENBLOOMS.
[ArcaneArchers]: "She's not my girlfriend" = Sure, WildStrider.
[Greed_Fan_99]: That denial was way too quick.
[SilverBloom]: Since when am I dating WildStrider?
[GamingAce]: OH SNAP, SILVERBLOOM DENIES IT TOO. BUT SHE DIDN’T SAY NOOOO.
[KonStanFan]: "She’s not my girlfriend, Killua!"
[SilverBloom]: Focus on your bow, WildStrider, before you embarrass yourself more. ;)
[Greed_Fan_99]: SHE USED A WINKY FACE. IT’S OVER. THEY’RE IN LOVE.

Gon’s face burned, hotter than he thought possible, and he shoved his hand against his forehead, trying to suppress the butterflies that had exploded in his chest. Killua’s smirk was so damn knowing, and it only made it worse.

“Killua! See what you started?” Gon whined, glancing over at his friend, who was still busy with his phone.

Killua shrugged, his smirk still hanging on his lips. Gon turned back to the game, his fingers fumbling nervously over the keys. His chat continued to explode with playful banter, his eyes barely able to keep up.

[ScarletWarden]: KILLUA, THE ULTIMATE WINGMAN.
[KonStanFan]: Bro’s not even trying, and he’s winning.
[GamingAce]: Killua carrying harder than WildStrider ever could.
[Greed_Fan_99]: WINGMAN OF THE YEAR
[DrHustle]: You can’t teach this level of wingman finesse.
[SilverBloom]: I don’t know what’s funnier, Killua’s jab or WildStrider’s meltdown.
[ScarletWarden]: Stay focused, WildStrider. Not even the best wingman can save bad gameplay.
[KonStanFan]: Chat agrees. Killua MVP.
[GamingAce]: WildStrider blushing.

“You guys are not helping!” Gon squeezed his eyes shut, groaning loudly.

The chat only responded with a flurry of laughing emojis, all of them clearly enjoying the drama. He quickly tried to focus on the raid again, breathing deeply as his hands found their way back to the controls. No matter how much he tried, his blushing face and the teasing whispers from Killua kept him distracted.

He clicked the button to start the raid, determined to focus, but it didn’t stop the steady stream of chat messages popping up, the playful teasing continuing.

“Alright. This is it.” Gon took a deep breath, looking at the timer countdown. His entire body was on edge, but he wasn’t about to let anyone know how much that wink from SilverBloom had set his heart racing. With another deep breath, he entered the arena, fingers poised to make his move.

-0-

The game arena darkened dramatically as WildStrider and his raid team stepped into the heart of Razor’s Forest. Moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting shifting shadows across the forest floor and at the center of the clearing stood Nen-Puppet Pokkle, his face blank, and his posture poised for battle. Pokkle’s hands gripped a glowing violet bow adorned with delicate carvings that pulsed with a threatening aura: Pokkle’s Rainbow Blaze.

The raid began with Pokkle firing a barrage of Explosive Volley Arrows, glowing with a faint blue hue. His attacks spread out across the arena, targeting random areas and players with devastating precision. Around the arena, Gon’s raid team was busy battling the wave of Spectral Minions Pokkle summoned to distract them.

[ScarletWarden]: Focus adds. Keep WildStrider free to DPS the boss.
[Tonpachu]: I’m on crowd control.
[KonStanFan]: Kon’s holding it down on Gon’s side. MVP confirmed.
[SilverBloom]: WildStrider, watch for stray shots. Minions are coming your way.

Gon dove to the left as an arrow whistled past his avatar’s ear.

“Thanks, SilverBloom! You’re the best!” He called out, grinning wildly at the camera, eyes wide and focused.

On the other side of the battlefield, rogue HachiMachi was weaving between two Wolf Phantoms, timing her double strikes with precise, calculated movements. Tonpachu had corralled three of the spectral beasts into a trap, stunning them momentarily as he launched his own AoE attack.

“Keep the minions off me, guys! I’ve got Pokkle!” Gon shouted, firing a series of Piercing Arrows into the boss, chipping away at his health bar. Sweat dripped down his forehead as his fingers dashed over his keyboard in furious movements.

[ScarletWarden]: Don’t miss your dodges, Strider.
[DrHustle]: TEAM CARRYING. LET’S GOOOOO!
[SilverBloom]: You owe them, WildStrider. Better not miss that loot drop.

“Okay, okay, I’ll buy them all new skins! Just don’t let me die!” Gon chuckled nervously as he barely dodged a second Explosive Arrow.

Pokkle whistled sharply, signaling a shift in the fight. Five glowing Rainbow Arrows materialized around him, each glowing with a different aura: poison, paralysis, blindness, slow, and burn. They shot out in random directions, threatening both the raid members and the arena itself.

[ScarletWarden]: Poison and paralysis are top priority. Tonpa, can you handle the blinds?
[Tonpachu]: I’ve got it. Cover me.
[SilverBloom]: WildStrider, the poison arrow is heading your way. MOVE NOW.

“Got it!” Gon shouted, rolling to the side just as the green-tinged arrow landed, releasing a venomous cloud. His health bar blinked with a minor debuff, but he quickly activated an antidote to fix it.

“Kon, cover me while I take Pokkle down!” Gon commanded, clicking away at Kon’s abilities. His foxbear companion charged at a pack of wolves closing in on Tonpachu’s position, knocking them back with Bear Shockwave.

[KonStanFan]: KON WITH THE SAVE.
[SilverBloom]: Tell me Kon isn’t the smartest player on this team.

“Kon’s carrying me, okay? Happy now?” Gon grinned sheepishly. Killua snorted across the room, again not looking up from his phone.

“Just admit the foxbear is better at this game than you are, dude.” He snarked, earning a groan from Gon, who had finally made it to the finale of the fight, his focus unwavering.

Pokkle’s health bar flashed red, signaling his desperation phase. His attacks became more unpredictable, targeting both Gon and the team simultaneously, launching wildly across the arena. Tonpachu and the rest of the team split off to take down remaining minions while Gon focused on landing the final blows.

“Kon, let’s finish this!” Gon shouted as his foxbear charged Pokkle, pinning him down long enough for Gon to activate his ultimate: Aurora Barrage. A volley of golden arrows rained down, striking Pokkle and ending the fight at last.

His chat exploded with victory cries as Rainbow Blaze Bow dropped in a burst of golden light. WildStrider stood next to his raid team, health dangerously low, and debuffs splayed across his hub.

[ScarletWarden]: GG, team. Well played.
[GamingAce]: Finally! Razor’s Forest is no longer cursed.
[Tonpachu]: Congrats, WildStrider. You owe us a cut of the loot.
[SilverBloom]: Knew you could do it, WildStrider! Pokkle wasn't ready for you!

Gon leaned back, exhilarated.

“WE DID IT, CHAT! Pokkle’s Rainbow Blaze is mine!” He turned to his chat, scanning for SilverBloom’s messages, his grin widening. His heart beat a furious rhythm in his chest, the adrenaline from the game slowly depleting.

[Greed_Fan_99]: STREAMER LUCK IN THE FLESH.
[GamingAce]: Pokkle went easy on you.
[ScarletWarden]: Don’t let this victory go to your head, WildStrider.
[GI69]: GIVE KON THE BOW
[Hunter_ExamFail]: lol carried
[ClanKeeper]: Did Kon just win the bow for you?
[HisokasCard]: Big W, but I’m here for the chaos of the next raid.

“Man, they’re really dragging you, Gon.” Killua snorted, looking up from his phone.

“You’re not helping!” Gon blushed, glaring at Killua. His friend merely laughed and leaned back against the bed. The chat flooded with more praise for Killua, and Gon rolled his eyes.

“Sometimes I think they watch my streams for your quips, Killua.” He whined. Killua shrugged.

“I can't help that I have more charisma than you.” He snorted, typing furiously on his phone.

[BiscuitCrusher]: He’s a national treasure. Protect him at all costs.
[DrHustle]: Killua’s the secret MVP of this raid. No debate.
[Greed_Fan_99]: LET KILLUA JOIN THE RAID.
[SilverBloom]: Nah, keep him in chat. He’s way more entertaining.

-

The stream finally wound down, the chat gradually trickling out their goodbyes as Gon stretched his arms overhead, releasing a satisfied sigh. He stopped the recording with a groan. The adrenaline from the raid with Pokkle had faded, leaving him feeling drained. His body felt heavy, and his fingers ached slightly from the intense hammering of keys during the fight.

“You look like you just ran a marathon.” Killua’s teasing voice cut through the air, drawing Gon’s attention to the bed where Killua lounged, his legs sprawled out comfortably as he scrolled absently on his phone. His silver hair was still a bit tousled from when he’d been lying upside down earlier, but his expression was full of amusement as he glanced sideways at Gon.

“It’s a lot more tiring than it looks, you know.” Gon stuck his tongue out in response.

“Yeah, yeah. You say that every time. Just admit you’ve got zero stamina outside of the game.” Killua rolled his eyes, his smirk widening. Gon huffed but didn’t argue—because right at that moment, his stomach betrayed him with a loud growl. Killua snorted, the sound rich with laughter.

“See? You were so busy flirting with your game that you forgot to eat.” He jerked his chin toward the now-cold pizza box sitting on Gon’s desk.

Gon whirled around in his chair, suddenly all too aware of how hungry he was. He flipped the box open without hesitation, grabbing a slice, ignoring how cold it had gotten.

As he ate, Gon clicked through his recording, skimming the footage and trimming clips for a highlight reel to upload later. His fingers hovered over the playback bar, pausing when he reached the chat log, scanning messages he’d missed during the fight.

Then his eyes landed on a familiar name, and his chewing slowed.

[SilverBloom]: Ooooh, fancy footwork, WildStrider~ Are you trying to impress someone?

His cheeks flushed instantly, but he kept scrolling, pretending the comment wasn’t having any effect on him.

[SilverBloom]: If you die, I’m making fun of you for at least a week.

[SilverBloom]: You’re so dramatic when you dodge—do you practice in the mirror or what?

Gon’s lips parted slightly. He hadn’t even seen that one.

[SilverBloom]: Oh nooo, I’ve been friend-zoned. However will I recover?

The slice of pizza in his hand suddenly felt irrelevant. His brain was too busy replaying the earlier teasing from the chat and from Killua—his best friend?—and now this. His fingers hovered over the mouse, his heart thudding as he scrolled, scanning for more of her messages.

[SilverBloom]: Chat, should I be offended or honored by how much he talks about me?

Gon groaned, slumping back in his chair. Oh, come on. He didn’t talk about her that much… right?

Then, the final message nearly made him choke on his pizza.

[SilverBloom]: Awww, look at you, all proud of yourself. So cute~

His face burned hotter than ever, and he swore he could feel steam rising from his scalp. He clamped a hand over his mouth, eyes squeezed shut as if that would somehow make the flustered feeling go away.

But of course, Killua chose that exact moment to lean over his shoulder, peering at the screen while sipping his cola.

“Reading messages from your girlfriend?”

Gon jumped dramatically, nearly sending his chair toppling backward.

“Killua! Don’t do that!!!” He screeched, twisting around to shove him away, but Killua easily sidestepped, still smirking.

“Jeez, you’re jumpy." Killua remarked, amused. “I barely even touched you.” He took another sip of his drink, his gaze still fixed on Gon, who was now frantically scrubbing his face in a desperate attempt to cool down.

Killua always knew how to get under his skin.

Always.

The worst part was that Gon had a massive crush on his best friend. A really, really bad one. He’d started streaming partly to impress Killua in the first place. Back when they were younger, Gon had tried to get good at first-person shooters and tactical RPGs just so he could have something in common with him, but Killua always beat him, laughing at how terrible he was.

Then Greed Island came out, and suddenly, Gon wasn’t just playing to impress Killua anymore. He was playing because he loved it. Because for the first time, he was good at something in a game, and people were watching him.

Killua made fun of him constantly, but he never told him to stop. He even helped him build his PC—well, tried to help—mostly just plugging things in and making sure the cables weren’t a tangled mess. Even now, Killua hung around during streams, snarking at him from the bed, pretending to be so uninterested while somehow always knowing what was going on.

Gon glanced at him, at the way he was still smirking into his drink, completely unaware of the crisis he’d just caused.

Any time spent with Killua was precious. Even when he was being a total jerk.

“…Shut up and eat your pizza." Gon muttered, pushing a slice into Killua’s hands.

“Sure thing, WildStrider.” Killua snickered but took the pizza. Gon groaned, dropping his head onto his desk in defeat.

Chapter Text

Greed Island’s massive trading arena buzzed with activity, a whirlwind of players haggling, showcasing rare items, and scanning the bustling market for their next big purchase. At the center of it all, SilverBloom stood motionless, her player clearly AFK, yet she still commanded attention.

She was a striking high elf; her long, silken white hair cascading down to her ankles, braided in delicate sections that swayed with every unseen breeze. Her eyes, a brilliant shade of crystalline blue that shimmered like lightning trapped beneath glass. Every few seconds, arcs of electricity crackled around her form, a testament to her mastery over the element.

She wore a sheer robe in shades of violet and stormy gray, its fabric weightless and flowing like mist, adorned with patterns of wispy clouds that shifted subtly with her movements. Unlike most players, her feet never touched the ground. She hovered effortlessly, barely an inch above it, as though gravity itself hesitated to tether her.

A private message popped up on SilverBloom’s screen.

[WildStrider]: Oi, you alive? Come run this dungeon with me.

A few seconds later, another message appeared.

[WildStrider]: Or are you too busy zapping people for fun without me?

The faintest flicker of movement stirred in the trading arena as SilverBloom’s avatar came to life, the electricity around her crackling a little stronger.

[WildStrider]: SilverBlooooooooom 🥺

Somewhere in a dimly lit apartment, a silver-haired gamer exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face before finally cracking his knuckles and typing back.

[SilverBloom]: You’d die without me, admit it.

Killua had always been obsessed with video games. First-person shooters, RPGs, even mindless mobile games, he played them all. If a game had competition, mechanics to master, or strategies to exploit, he was in. Nevermind the addicting in-game purchases.

So, when Greed Island launched, of course he wanted to play it, but Gon got to it first and started streaming it almost daily. Killua, not wanting to steal his spotlight, had shrugged it off, feigning disinterest. He acted like he couldn’t care less, teasing Gon about how much time he spent on it, making fun of his over-the-top reactions to boss fights, pretending it wasn’t something he wanted to play too.

But that didn’t mean he didn’t play it.

Of course he played it. He just did it in secret.

And that wasn’t even the biggest secret he was keeping.

That secret was currently dashing across the arena, long robes billowing, white hair trailing behind her as she ran beside WildStrider. Electricity crackled from her fingertips, arcing into enemies in sharp bursts before detonating in a chain of explosions. Silverbloom moved with fluid precision, as if she were dancing across the battlefield, striking and vanishing before anything could touch her.

Killua’s fingers flew over his keyboard, keeping up effortlessly. Then a new message from Gon popped up on his screen.

[WildStrider]: Come on, use a mic this time? Please???

Killua rolled his eyes, exhaling sharply through his nose. His hands hovered over the keyboard, hesitating.

He couldn’t.

He hugged his knees to his chest, glaring at the chat box as his face burned. He could handle playing with Gon. He could handle messaging him. But talking to him like this? And reveal himself?

Absolutely not.

Silverbloom had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. He didn’t know why he did it, or when it had started, but one day, he’d made her account, picked an avatar, and suddenly he wasn’t just Killua anymore.

He was someone else.

And it was easy.

SilverBloom let him say things he could never say as himself. He could tease and compliment Gon without it feeling real. He could be flirty, say dumb things like “Ooooh, fancy footwork, WildStrider!” and “Look at you, all proud of yourself. So cute~” and Gon wouldn’t even blink. He could let those feelings exist in chat messages and digital fights without them suffocating him in real life.

But then… there was real life.

And real life was getting harder.

Killua watched Gon’s streams. Every single one. He had seen them all, from Gon’s first shaky, awkward stream to his now wildly popular broadcasts. He even watched Gon’s vlogs, his college trips, his hometown visits, and his dumb little update videos where he rambled about what snacks he bought that week.

It was stupid. He knew it was stupid.

He was obsessed.

But how could he not be?

Gon was so… Gon.

He'd known Gon since they were twelve. They grew up side by side, practically joined at the hip from the moment they met. Gon was sunshine in human form, and Killua stuck to him like glue, following him everywhere, doing whatever Gon wanted. He couldn't help it. Gon had this pull, this effortless gravity that made it impossible to leave his orbit. Killua was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, helpless and inevitable.

Sure, he was dumb. Killua had carried him through high school, and even now, in their freshman year of college, he still ended up tutoring him through most of their classes. They worked on projects together, studied together and Killua had basically resigned himself to babysitting Gon’s academic life.

And he was reckless. Gon threw himself into everything headfirst, whether it was sports, dares, or whatever new challenge he decided to take on. He always had to push himself to the limit, always had to be the best, and it landed him in the ER more times than Killua could count. He’d spent years watching out for him, nagging him to slow down, dragging him to the nurse’s office, or on particularly bad days, picking him up from the hospital.

That’s why, when Gon became obsessed with gaming, Killua had never been more relieved. For once, he wasn’t climbing trees just to see if he could, or breaking his arm trying to out-jump some other idiot in basketball. Gaming was safer. Less bruises, less concussions. All Gon had to do was sit still and play.

[WildStrider]: 😭

Killua sighed, leaning back in his chair, arms partially folded around his knees. He had only recently started actually playing Greed Island with Gon, but as SilverBloom. And Gon? Gon was insistent. Always online, like he was waiting for SilverBloom to log on. The idea of Gon waiting for him like that made the blush creep back to his face, and Killua let out a dramatic sigh before leaning forward to type quickly.

[SilverBloom]: Impatient much, WildStrider? What if I was busy?

It was only partially a joke, but Killua could already picture Gon's flustered face, the one he always made when he received SilverBloom’s teasing messages. The thought of it made him grin, anticipation curling in his chest as he waited for Gon’s response.

[WildStrider]: I'M SORRY!! I just got really excited that you agreed to play again.

Killua snorted, pressing his face into his knees. Gon was so cute, sometimes it was almost unbearable. But it wasn’t even the usual goofy side of Gon that got to him, it was the chance to actually interact with him this way, unfiltered. No pretending. No hiding behind layers of jokes or subtle distractions. It was too much sometimes, and the nerves crept up on him faster than he could catch them.

He palmed his eyes, the bright flashes of colors swirling in his vision before he typed again.

[SilverBloom]: You're so cute, ranger. Let’s play in Nanika’s Playground. No mic. And please, don’t whine.

He moved his character around, teleporting to the arena. A few seconds later, Gon's avatar appeared right next to him.

—

Midnight crept up on Killua, and before he knew it, his eyes were drooping, his body sinking deeper into his chair. Across from him in-game, Gon showed no signs of slowing down, his stamina in gaming was just as ridiculous as it was in everything else. But Killua knew the moment Gon logged off, exhaustion would hit him like a truck, and he'd pass out without warning.

His gaze flickered to the two avatars on his screen.

They fit together so well. His ethereal, porcelain-skinned mage standing beside Gon's tanned, battle-worn ranger. The contrast made Killua smirk, a thought creeping into his mind for the hundredth time. How did Gon not realize? SilverBloom looked exactly like him.

"It’s just me in a friggin’ dress…"

He’d stared at the character creation screen for a long time, looking into the electric blue eyes that mirrored his own. But Gon was oblivious. He always had been. Unless something drastic happened, some slip-up, some undeniable clue, he doubted Gon would ever piece it together.

Not that the paranoia ever left him.

Killua constantly worried that Gon would figure it out. Every message he sent, every joke, every teasing flirtation. He filtered everything to perfection, making sure SilverBloom never said anything Killua would know about Gon. He never let something personal slip. Never dared to flirt with Gon offline. Because if Gon ever found out…

If he ever realized who was behind the screen OR how he felt about him.

Killua would rather die than face that immediate rejection.

They said their goodbyes, and after tidying up his gaming space, Killua crawled into bed, pulling the blanket over his head. The glow of his phone cast a soft blue haze over his face as he scrolled through his messages. His finger hovered over the last one from Gon, sent just before they started playing.

Gon 🐸: Playing GI with Bloom! Ttyl 😎

Killua frowned, his chest tightening with something uncomfortably close to guilt. But beneath that, tangled in a mess of emotions, was jealousy. Which was so stupid, because he was jealous of himself.

All Gon ever talked about was SilverBloom.

"She's so cool!"
"She's so good at Greed Island!"
"I bet she's beautiful, don't you think, Killua?"
"Hey Killua, guess what SilverBloom said!"

Every time, it sent an annoying thrill through Killua’s chest. Gon was talking about him, about how much he liked spending time with him, how much he admired him. That should have made him happy. And in a way, it did. It gave him a confidence he didn’t have in real life, made him feel like he had a version of himself Gon actually noticed.

But at the same time, it pissed him off. Because Gon wasn’t saying those things about Killua. He was saying them about some girl he thought was cool and mysterious, some stranger he met online. Not his best friend.

Not him.

And the worst part?

Killua could never change that. Because Gon will never know.

Ever.

—

“Come on, Killua!” Gon whined as they crunched through the dead leaves coating the campus grounds, making their way back to their apartment complex. Killua rolled his eyes, hyper aware of their shoulders brushing every time Gon leaned closer.

“I really, really don’t want to play Greed Island, Gon. It’s lame.” He lied, shoving his hands deeper into his hoodie pocket. Gon made an exasperated noise, leaning against him as if trying to guilt-trip him, his expression all innocent and pleading. Killua puffed his cheeks, stifling a laugh.

“Pleeeeaassseee?!” Gon whined again, almost knocking Killua into a tree as they walked. Killua shoved him away, cheeks burning from the sudden contact, trying to keep it together despite the giggles bubbling up.

“You can be such a pain, you know?” Killua said, voice soft but teasing. “Why don’t you go… play with SilverBloom… or whatever. I’m sure she’d love to play.” He added a small hint of fake disgust, though it was clear even to him that it didn’t quite hit the mark. Talking about SilverBloom in person felt so different, he couldn’t do it with the same ease as he did online. “Doesn’t the chat ship you two?” He muttered, immediately regretting it.

Gon burst out laughing, a stupid grin on his face, and Killua’s heart skipped at the sight.

“Yeah, they do, don’t they?” Gon said, almost wistful as he continued laughing, oblivious to the knot tightening in Killua’s stomach. The laughter wasn’t the carefree noise Killua was used to; there was something else in it, something that made Killua's chest ache.

Killua slowed his pace, feeling the weight of his thoughts pressing on him. The questions that had been bubbling up for weeks now rushed to the surface. He clenched his fists, fighting to keep his nerves in check.

“Do you like her, Gon?” He asked, his voice almost lost to the roar of a passing bus. His heart thudded painfully, his neck burning with embarrassment as the words hung in the air. Gon turned to look at him, confusion flickering across his face. Killua bit his lip, mentally kicking himself as the silence stretched between them.

“SilverBloom… I mean... Do you like her?” Killua repeated, the words tasting bitter as they left his mouth. He hadn’t meant for them to sound that way, but it didn’t seem like Gon noticed at all.

Gon scrunched his face in that clueless way of his, before scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. “Eh? I don’t think so? I don’t really know her, you know?”

Killua’s chest lightened a little, and a soft chuckle escaped him despite himself. ‘You know her more than you think,’ he thought, but he didn’t say it out loud. Instead, he focused on the sound of Gon's rambling as they continued walking, his words about the game they played the other night with SilverBloom filling the air.

As they made their way toward their apartment complex, the cool air of the evening tugged at the sleeves of Killua’s hoodie. He was trying to push the weird feelings swirling in his chest to the back of his mind, focusing instead on the sound of their footsteps crunching through the fallen leaves.

“Ugh, I’m starving!” Gon suddenly exclaimed, throwing his arms up in the air like he’d just realized he hadn’t eaten all day. Killua’s eyes flicked over to him, his lips curving into a small, tired smile.

“Yeah, I know the feeling. You eat like you haven’t seen food in a century.” Killua teased, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he felt the familiar prickle of heat in his cheeks.

But Gon wasn’t finished.

“I’m serious, though! I could eat an entire pizza by myself.” He rubbed his stomach dramatically. “What about you, Killua? Want to grab some food?”

A sudden thought flashed through Killua’s mind, and before he could stop himself, the words came tumbling out in a voice that wasn’t quite his own.

“Well, if you really want to eat… I wouldn’t mind feeding you.”

He froze.

Killua’s heart skipped a beat as the words hit him like a ton of bricks. What the hell was that?

It had been a momentary slip, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized what he’d done. His stomach twisted into knots, his face flushing with horror as he whipped his head to the side, pretending like he hadn’t just accidentally flirted with Gon. He swallowed thickly, his heartbeat quickening as he processed the slip-up.

Gon, of course, was completely oblivious, continuing to smile at him, still thinking about food. “Yeah? You’ll feed me? You sure you can handle it, huh?”

Killua froze, his mind running a mile a minute.

Why did I say that?

Why did I say it like that?

The heat in his face wasn’t going away, and his stomach felt like it was flipping in a way that made him want to crawl under a rock.

Damn it, Killua, you were almost caught. What if he notices? What if he figures it out?

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Let’s just grab something quick and head back. You’re so dramatic about food.” He quickly changed the subject, trying to cover up the awkwardness.

“Hey, it’s not my fault I get hungry! It’s your fault for not feeding me sooner.” Gon gave him a playful shove.

The teasing seemed to pull Killua out of his spiral, but the damage was done. He could still feel the heat creeping up his neck, and the guilt gnawed at him. That was so close. Too close.

You’re such an idiot, Killua.

As they walked the rest of the way in silence, Killua's thoughts were in a mess of tangles. What if he noticed? What if Gon starts wondering why I keep acting so weird? Am I acting weird?

He couldn’t shake the feeling that every moment like this was pushing him closer to the edge—closer to the point where he’d accidentally reveal his feelings for Gon, and he couldn’t let that happen.

Chapter Text

“Shoot, shoot, shoot!” Gon shouted, leaning close to his screen, the vivid colors of Cheetu’s Circuit flashing across his freckled features. Sweat beaded his brow as he bit his lip, hands twitching over the keyboard as he furiously tried to get through the obstacles. The racing-themed arena was the best place to grind for experience, and Gon had been at it for most of the stream.

The chat was in chaos. Messages flew past, barely giving him time to read.

[HunterKing]: Bro, breathe. You’re gonna pass out.
[GemWarden]: Focus, WildStrider. You’re losing precious seconds.
[ZapMaster3000]: WHY DID YOU JUMP THERE?!
[FoxFrenzy]: LMAO Gon’s about to throw hands with his monitor.
[SpeedDemon64]: Cheetu’s Circuit is PAIN. Stay strong, king.
[WildStriderFan99]: I believe in you!!! (barely.)
[SilverBloom]: That was the worst shortcut attempt I’ve ever seen.
[HunterKing]: WAIT WAS THAT A STRAT OR AN ACCIDENT??
[GemWarden]: Either way, it failed.
[NoScopeNeko]: This is the best unintentional comedy I’ve ever watched.
[SilverBloom]: Do you even know what a shortcut is??

Gon groaned loudly as the 34th circuit of the stream ended, his avatar slumping to the ground in-game. He leaned back in his chair with a dramatic whine.

“Why are you guys so mean to me?!” He cried, throwing his hands in the air as if he were truly suffering. He couldn’t help the grin that crept across his lips, though. His followers always teased him, but they also supported him. They watched every stream, hyped up his Ankitoba channel, and flooded him with praise,even if it came with a side of roasting.

[ZapMaster3000]: We bully with love. <3
[HunterKing]: CRY ABOUT IT.
[SilverBloom]: You’ve disappointed me on a fundamental level.

“SilverBloom! Even you?!” Gon gasped.

[SilverBloom]: That performance was personally offensive.

“I can’t take this emotional damage.” Gon dramatically clutched his chest.

[SpeedDemon64]: Sooooo you running it back, or are you done for the day?
[NoScopeNeko]: Nah, he’s mentally done.
[HunterKing]: GG, pack it up, stream’s over.
[SilverBloom]: Finally. My headache is gone.
[WildStriderFan99]: Mod abuse?!

Gon snorted at the chat’s chaos.

“Alright, alright! I get it! I might be done for today.” He stretched, cracking his back. “Thanks for hanging out, even if you guys are literally the worst. I’ll be back tomorrow, maybe even earlier, if you promise to be nice.” He gave the camera a wink, watching the flurry of emoticons and hearts flash across his screen.

[ZapMaster3000]: Lies. You love us.
[HunterKing]: No promises.
[FoxFrenzy]: I’ll consider it.
[SilverBloom]: We're the nicest people you know.

“Yeah, yeah. See you guys next time!” Gon grinned.

He clicked the end stream button, sighing as the chat replayed its last flood of messages before disappearing. Immediately clicking into the Ankitoba message app, he found SilverBloom's name and rapidly typed a message.

[WildStrider]: Hey, Bloom. Can I ask you a question?

His knee shook with anxiety as he sat with his hands folded under his chin, watching the typing bubble pop up as SilverBloom responded.

[SilverBloom]: Sure, what's up?

Gon froze, suddenly unsure how to move forward. He leaned back in his chair and spun, watching the ceiling tiles spin as he thought.

Ever since he and Killua had pizza together the other day, something had felt different. He had flirted with Killua as usual, and Killua had reacted. But this time it was a different reaction than he usually gets when Gon flirts with him, and Gon didn't know what to think about it.

Usually, Killua doesn't react at all, just tells him he's embarrassing or annoying. This time, though, Killua turned red. The cute red that happens when Killua is actually embarrassed, not the red he turns when he's angry.

What did that mean?

The conversation replayed over and over in his mind, and he had to use a Cheetu’s Circuit grind session to distract himself.

Obviously it didn't work.

So he was hoping his one other friend could help him, and the animosity was helpful. He didn't know SilverBloom, and as far as he was aware, SilverBloom was just some girl on the internet who watched his streams.

[SilverBloom]: If you're asking me to run the circuits for you, forget it. Grind that yourself, Strider. 🙄

Gon's cheeks puffed with a stifled laugh as he rocked forward in his chair to type his response.

[WildStrider]: SHUT UP! NO! It’s personal. I need advice.

He bit his pinky nail as he stared at the text bubble, anxiety swirling in his veins.

—-

Across the apartment complex hall, Killua sat at his desk, eyes fixed on his screen as he typed out a response. This wasn’t the first time Gon had asked SilverBloom for advice, but for some reason, this time felt different.

[SilverBloom]: Hit me, Strider. What’s going on in that goofy brain of yours?

Killua pressed send, then immediately rested his forehead against his desk with a groan. Was this going to be another ridiculous question, like whether pineapple belongs on pizza or if socks should be put on before or after pants, or was it actually something serious? With Gon, it could be anything.

The typing bubble appeared, disappeared, then reappeared. Killua’s fingers twitched.

[WildStrider]: Okay, so... Have you ever had a crush on someone?

Killua’s stomach twisted. His breath caught somewhere in his throat, refusing to go down. Was Gon finally going to admit he had a crush on SilverBloom? The fake persona Killua had built? The thought alone made him want to throw himself into the sun.

For a second, he just stared at the message, like maybe if he blinked enough times, it would morph into something else. Like: Hey Bloom, what’s the best XP grind this week? Or even: Do you think hotdogs are sandwiches?

But no. This was real. This was happening.

His pulse thumped wildly as he typed out a response with stiff fingers.

[SilverBloom]: Are you crushing on me, WildStrider?

It was meant as a joke. Half a joke. Maybe. A joke with a hint of desperation buried in the pixels. He didn’t know what answer he was hoping for, but the three dots of Gon's reply might as well have been a countdown to his doom.

[WildStrider]: Um… would you be mad at me if I said not exactly?

Killua exhaled, relief hitting him like a truck, only for confusion to immediately follow.

Not exactly?

[SilverBloom]: What do you mean by not exactly?

[WildStrider]: I guess I do like you, but I think it’s because you remind me of someone. The person I actually have a crush on.

Killua's heart stopped and restarted immediately.

It slammed against his ribs, his stomach flipping so violently he nearly knocked his knee against the desk. His hands went cold, his skin prickling like a live wire.

What did he just say?

His eyes darted over the message again, scanning for loopholes, for mistakes, for any reality where this didn’t mean what he thought it meant.

No way. No way in hell.

Did he fail? Had he blurred the line between himself and SilverBloom too much? Had he let his personality slip through? Did he joke too much? Was he too familiar? Did he—

No. Hold on. This could mean anything.

Maybe Gon meant Zushi! Zushi was sarcastic. Sometimes. He had good reflexes, solid instincts. Yeah, that made sense! Maybe Gon was into that.

Or wait. Bisky? She was sharp, clever, and knew how to roast Gon into the ground. Maybe Gon had some weird thing for tough, powerful women. Or did he have a thing for being scolded by old hags?

Killua clutched his face, feeling his own warmth radiating off his palms. His ears were red. His entire body was burning. He took a breath, sharp and shaky, before typing his next message with numb fingers.

[SilverBloom]: Oh really? Who do I remind you of, loverboy?

The typing bubble popped up.

Killua felt like he was watching his own execution in slow motion.

[WildStrider]: You've seen him a couple times in my streams, so please don't say anything in the chats.

Killua’s blood ran cold. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, trembling as if the wrong keystroke might shatter the fragile illusion he had built.

What?

No. No way.

A dry, nervous laugh bubbled up from his throat, but it came out strangled. His eyes darted to the blinking cursor as he forced his fingers to move, typing slower than he ever had in his life.

[SilverBloom]: You mean that white-haired guy? What's his name… Kai or something?

This has to be a mistake. Gon couldn’t mean him. There was no way.

[WildStrider]: You're so funny, Bloom. It's Kil-lu-a. Killua.

Killua’s heart slammed against his ribcage. His chair scraped loudly against the floor as he pushed himself away from the desk, sending it crashing into his bed. He stood up, pacing back and forth, running a hand through his hair.

No. Absolutely not.

His head spun, the pounding of his pulse roaring in his ears. He squeezed his eyes shut, covering his ears as if he could block out reality itself. Maybe if he blocked everything out, just for a moment, he’d wake up. This had to be a dream. A cruel, impossible dream.

But then his computer chimed again.

More messages.

His hands were clammy as he rolled his chair back to the desk, heart pounding so loudly he could barely think. His throat was dry, his mouth unable to form any words. He blinked, eyes dragging across Gon's next message.

[WildStrider]: I've known him since forever. We grew up basically next door.

Killua’s breath hitched. His fingers twitched on the mouse as he scrolled.

[WildStrider]: He's really smart and he helps me all the time. Keeps me straight when I'm doing something stupid.

A small, shaky chuckle escaped Killua’s lips despite the anxiety clawing at his chest.

[WildStrider]: And he's so beautiful. Like so beautiful. You've seen him on stream. He's gorgeous!

Killua’s eyes widened.

Oh.

Heat flooded his face, burning all the way to the tips of his ears. His hands, sweaty and unsteady, gripped the edge of his desk like a lifeline. The words he had only ever dreamed Gon might say were right there, glaring at him on the screen.

Gon thought he was beautiful.

Gorgeous.

Killua felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. His skin prickled as if it was on fire, and his brain felt like it was short-circuiting.

His hands shook as he typed, each letter feeling heavier than the last.

[SilverBloom]: So… why are you telling me this? Why don’t you tell him?

Killua’s pulse hammered against his ears as he hit send. Sweat rolled down his temple. His chest felt tight, and he could barely breathe as he stared at the screen, waiting.

Why did I ask that? Why am I doing this to myself?

The truth was suffocating him. He wasn’t supposed to know this. Not like this. Gon was trusting someone he didn’t know with this precious information. Information that should change both of their lives. But it wouldn’t, because Killua couldn’t say anything. Ever. He couldn’t let on that he knew.

[WildStrider]: But he rejected me already. So, this kind of sucks.

The world came to a screeching halt. Killua blinked at the screen, the words blurring together as his breath caught in his throat. He read it again.

And again.

No.

Killua’s heart pounded in his ears as he stared, his brain refusing to process the message. His vision tunneled, and a wave of nausea curled in his stomach.

Rejected him?

A laugh, sharp and bitter, escaped his throat before he could stop it. It wasn’t a real laugh, more of a broken, disbelieving sound as he pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes.

“No." he whispered, shaking his head, his voice barely above a breath. “That’s not… I would never…”

His mind reeled, scrambling to piece together fragments of memories, trying to remember anything, to find any moment where Gon might have asked him out.

There’s nothing. There’s no way.

He had been so careful. So painfully, ridiculously careful to never cross a line. He never let his feelings slip. Killua knew Gon would never like him that way, so he bottled everything up, buried it deep, and pretended it didn’t exist.

But what if, what if Gon had tried?

His hands shook as he ran through every memory he could dig up. Every grin Gon ever threw his way. Every late-night conversation where Gon’s voice dipped softer. Every touch that lingered just a second longer than it should have.

Did I miss something? Was I too blind to see it?

Killua’s stomach churned, dread coiling tighter and tighter in his chest. He turned back to his desk, eyes narrowing at the screen. His fingers no longer shook as he typed.

[SilverBloom]: Define “rejected.”

He hit send and immediately pressed his lips together, squeezing his eyes shut. His thoughts raced, clawing through the past as if he could find the exact moment he had somehow ruined everything.

When?

Had Gon said something and he brushed it off as a joke? Was there a text he’d skimmed over without realizing its importance? Had Gon been flirting and he was too stupid to see it?

If I rejected him without knowing… if I hurt him like that…

He could barely breathe as he waited for Gon’s next message, heart pounding like a war drum in his chest.

—

Gon tapped his fingers lightly against his keyboard, a small grin tugging at the corners of his lips. This was the first time he had ever told anyone about his feelings for Killua, not even his beloved Aunt Mito knew.

Those feelings had been growing for years. He could still remember the exact moment they took root. It was the first time he’d heard Killua laugh, like really laugh. That carefree, unguarded sound had struck something deep in his chest, and after that, it had been a free fall.

[WildStrider]: I asked him out once. I don’t even think he remembers it.

Gon’s smile softened at the thought. He wasn’t mad at Killua, and he wasn’t really heartbroken either. Killua was a tough nut to crack, and Gon hadn’t given up. Not really. His heart still held onto hope, even after all this time.

Killua just… needed more time. Right?

[SilverBloom]: How did you ask? Was it some grand show?

Gon snorted.

[WildStrider]: LOL, not at all really. It was a couple years ago. I asked him on a day trip during senior year, just the two of us. I don’t know if I used the word "date." but I definitely tried to sound romantic… And he said no… so... yeah.

Gon leaned back in his chair, feet propped up on the desk, as his mind drifted back to that day.

It had been near the end of their senior year, and Gon had finally worked up the courage to ask Killua out. He had spent the last couple of weeks carefully planning a day just for the two of them, hoping to make it clear that it wasn’t just another hangout. He had thought of everything, from a nice lunch to the perfect scenic spot by the river, where they could talk, laugh, and enjoy each other's company. It was the perfect setup.

But when he actually asked, Killua had been…

Killua.

Gon had tried to sound as casual as possible, making sure his excitement didn't show too much.

"Hey, Killua." He started, a grin tugging at his lips. "How about we spend the day together? Just the two of us. Maybe go to that little café you like, then check out that park you've always wanted to visit?"

Killua paused, staring at him for a moment. There was a slight flicker in his eyes, a little hesitation, but then he shrugged nonchalantly.

"I dunno, Gon. I’ve got some stuff I need to do today. You should just go alone. It’ll be more fun that way." He grinned. Gon blinked, trying to process the words.

"What? But I thought we could hang out. You know, like… together."

"Nah, I’ve got some shit to do this weekend." Killua said, his tone uninterested. "You go ahead. I’m sure you’ll have way more fun without me tagging along."

Gon’s smile faltered for a moment, his heart sinking just a little. It wasn’t like Killua to turn down spending time together. In fact, they had hung out countless times, just the two of them, doing random things around town. This was different, though, and Gon couldn’t quite place why it hurt.

"Are you sure? I really wanted to hang out with you today." Gon pressed, trying to sound casual but feeling the nerves start to rise.

"Yeah, it’s cool, Gon. You’ll have fun. Besides, we'll hang out later next week anyway.” Killua gave him a grin. Gon smiled, but it felt forced.

"Okay… if you’re sure."

"Yeah, I’m sure." Killua said, then turned and walked away, leaving Gon standing there, staring after him with a confused, hurt feeling gnawing at his chest.

Gon tried to shake it off. It wasn’t like Killua had outright rejected him, right? He hadn’t said “no” to a date, but the way Killua acted made it feel like his invitation hadn’t even been noticed. It wasn’t the first time Killua had done something like this, acting like Gon was overthinking things, like he didn’t understand the signals Gon was trying to send. But it still stung.

Gon shrugged it off, but the whole trip lost its appeal without Killua by his side. He ended up going alone, but his heart wasn’t in it. Every time he saw something that reminded him of Killua, he felt disappointed. It was like the entire day was tainted by the rejection that wasn’t really even a rejection, just Killua being oblivious.

He laughed softly.

[WildStrider]: I thought it was pretty obvious, but I guess I’m just not good at this stuff.

—-

Killua’s head spun as he replayed that moment in his mind, over and over, with new eyes. The way Gon had asked so casually, the subtle hint of excitement in his voice; Killua hadn’t seen it for what it really was. He’d thought it was just another one of Gon’s spontaneous adventures, no big deal.

Now, though, reality hit him like a ton of bricks.

“Idiot. Absolute idiot.” He muttered to himself, rubbing his hands over his face in frustration. He could hardly believe how blind he’d been. All this time, they could’ve been more. They could’ve been together, dating, like, actually dating. But no, he had been too dense, too caught up in his own head, too wrapped up in the fact that Gon had always been so comfortable around him. He had never questioned why that was.

Killua stopped pacing and glanced at his phone again. Gon’s message was still sitting there, a reminder of what he had missed out on. What he could’ve had. He gritted his teeth.

“I could’ve been dating him. We could’ve… all this time.” His voice wavered on the last part as his chest tightened. The thought of everything he had missed, everything that could’ve been, felt like a punch to the gut.

He suddenly found himself laughing again, the absurdity of it all sinking in. He wanted to scream, pull his hair out, do something. It felt so stupid. So painfully obvious now.

“You’re such a moron, Killua.” He laughed, but the sound was bitter, full of self-deprecation. He couldn’t even look at his reflection in the window anymore. The image of a clueless, oblivious fool stared back at him.

“How could you not see it? How could you not see him...?” His mind raced. The things Gon had said, the way he’d looked at him, it all made sense now. It wasn’t just the usual “best friends” stuff. It was more. The pieces had been right there the whole time, and Killua had been too stupid to put them together. He could’ve had everything. Gon’s heart, his time, his love. But he had pushed him away. Told him no.

Suddenly, he jumped up and nearly crashed into his computer as he slid into his chair, furiously typing a response.

[SilverBloom]: So try harder. Ask him again. Be more obvious. Maybe he's just stupid.

He sighed, determination rushing through him.

Next time he won't say no.

Chapter Text

Gon was reeling.

He had finally told someone about Killua, really poured his heart out, even if it was to an anonymous person. But now, after that conversation with SilverBloom, something had shifted.

He was given advice to try again.

He hadn’t even considered asking Killua out after everything. Not after Killua had brushed him off the first time. Gon had spent so long convincing himself that Killua just… didn’t like anyone like that. Whenever their friends started dating, Killua barely reacted.

“Good for them." he’d say, uninterested, like he couldn’t care less.

Gon had wondered about it a lot. More than he probably should have.

Did Killua like guys? Girls? Anyone?

But none of those questions stopped him from feeling like he was walking on air now. His heart was pounding, but it wasn’t from nerves. It was hope. And it showed, even during streams.

“Alright, Kon, let’s do this!” Gon grinned, launching into another PvP match with a new level of confidence. His movements were precise, his aim sharper, and for once, he wasn’t recklessly charging in without a plan.

His followers definitely noticed.

[GemWarden]: Wait… why are you actually playing smart?
[FishBait64]: Gon? Thinking? I’m scared.
[ChocoCloud]: Nahhh, something’s up. He’s playing like he’s got something to prove.
[SilverBloom]: Give the guy a break, he's not always bad at the game.

“H-Hey! I always play like this!” Gon laughed, though the flush creeping up his neck betrayed him.

[JadePaws]: Liar.
[StarburstKai]: This man’s in a great mood. Did someone win the lottery or what?
[ChocoCloud]: Nah. I bet… I bet he’s in love.

Gon’s fingers faltered for half a second, but his grin widened as he dodged an incoming attack with ease.

“Maybe I am.” His voice was teasing, but the sparkle in his eyes gave him away.

[FishBait64]: W H A T.
[JadePaws]: EXCUSE ME???
[GemWarden]: HOLD UP.
[StarburstKai]: WHO IS IT?!?
[ChocoCloud]: DROP THE NAME.
[FishBait64]: SPILL. NOW.

Gon’s laugh bubbled out, light and giddy.

“I’m not telling.” His tone was sing-song, almost taunting, and that only made the chat explode even more.

[JadePaws]: YOU CAN’T JUST SAY THAT AND LEAVE US HANGING.
[FishBait64]: We’re INVESTED now.
[ChocoCloud]: WE DESERVE TO KNOW.
[SilverBloom]: Look at him blushing!

Gon’s hands twitched on the controls, his heart pounding a little harder. The chat was spiraling, and SilverBloom had to be reading everything. Gon bit his lip, trying to focus on the game. His cheeks were on fire.

[StarburstKai]: Come on, Gon. Give us a hint at least.
[GemWarden]: Yeah! Boy? Girl? NPC?

Gon’s smile softened, his voice quieter now.

“Someone I’ve known for a long time.” He murmured, almost shy.

[ChocoCloud]: OHHHHHHH.
[FishBait64]: We’re never letting this go.
[JadePaws]: Nope. We’re on this like detectives now.
[SilverBloom]: You ratted yourself out, Strider.

Gon’s heart thudded again. The chat was chaotic, and his followers were relentless, but there was a thrill in it. They were excited, and for once, so was he. But the real thrill?

That would be asking out Killua again, which he planned to do immediately after the stream.

By the time the stream ended, the chat had gone on a rollercoaster of emotions trying to figure out who Gon’s crush was. He’d shut them down every time, teasing that maybe next time they’d get the answer.

That is, if Killua said yes.

Gon was still unsure of how Killua felt, but SilverBloom had given him the push he needed. No matter what, he was going to try again.

His fingers hovered for a moment before uploading the stream recording to Ankitoba’s archive. The excitement bubbling in his chest made it impossible to sit still. He quickly swapped his streaming hoodie for a simple T-shirt and jeans and grabbed a box of choco-robots, Killua’s favorite.

And then, he was out the door.

---

Killua’s apartment was nothing like Gon's.

Gon’s space was cluttered with memorabilia, random knick knacks, and a chaotic mess that he could never quite get under control. But Killua’s apartment? It was neat. Almost sterile. Clean lines, minimal décor, and not a thing out of place.

Except for the desk.

That was a war zone.

Gon’s grin widened as he stepped inside, letting the door shut behind him with a loud thud. The shower was running, and he was sure Killua had heard the door, but Gon didn’t call out. Instead, he made himself comfortable, slipping into Killua’s gray gaming chair.

It was familiar, he’d sat here a hundred times before, but this time felt different.

He spun lazily in the seat, humming as he took in the organized chaos of Killua’s desk. His textbooks were stacked in one corner, empty energy drink cans lined up neatly against the wall, and a small pile of chocolate wrappers was shoved to the side.

Typical Killua.

Gon smiled, his fingers brushing the mouse as he glanced at Killua’s monitor. It was littered with icons, game after game, programs neatly arranged in rows. He wasn’t really paying attention until something caught his eye.

Gon froze.

His eyes landed on a very specific icon.

Greed Island.

Gon blinked.

Killua hated that game. Swore up and down that it was stupid and a waste of time. He mocked Gon constantly for streaming it. Teased and ridiculed him for getting too invested in its lore, and groaned whenever Gon brought up new updates or expansions.

But yet, here it was.

The icon for Greed Island was sitting smugly in the corner of Killua’s desktop, as if daring him to click it. He leaned in, squinting at the unmistakable logo.

“No way…” He murmured, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Click.

The game booted up instantly, bypassing the login screen like it had been used recently. And what greeted Gon wasn’t just any avatar, it was a breathtakingly familiar one.

SilverBloom.

Gon’s heart stopped.

The elegant high-elf mage stood tall on the character screen, her silver hair cascading down her back, braids gently swaying in the imaginary breeze. Her piercing blue eyes practically stared into his soul. And then, just below her, was the open chat log; his own conversation with SilverBloom, their messages sitting there like a glaring neon sign.

Gon’s eyes scanned the most recent exchange, the one where he had poured his heart out, confessing how he loved Killua. His stomach twisted.

Killua… is Killua SilverBloom?

Gon’s brain short-circuited. A thousand thoughts screamed for attention, but all that escaped him was a choked, disbelieving laugh.

“No way… What the heck?”

His pulse hammered in his ears as he stared, wide-eyed, at the screen. Pieces clicked together. SilverBloom’s weirdly specific knowledge about him, the teasing, the encouragement to ask Killua out again.

His mouth was dry. His brain was mush.

And then—

“Gon! Sorry, it took me so—”

Killua’s voice rang from the hallway, followed by the sound of bare feet padding into the living room. He froze mid-step.

Killua’s silver hair was still damp as he tousled it with a towel. His baggy T-shirt clung slightly to his skin, and his blue eyes locked onto Gon like a deer caught in headlights.

His gaze dropped, first to the screen, then to SilverBloom.

“Oh. Shit.”

The towel slipped from his fingers, hitting the floor with a dull thud.

For a moment, neither of them moved or spoke, the air crackling with tension.

Gon’s head snapped toward him, eyes wide and brimming with confusion, shock, and something dangerously close to amusement.

Killua’s face drained of color. His mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. No words came out. Then, he suddenly turned a bright pink, clearly embarrassed.

“Well?” Gon’s voice was soft. He sat back in Killua’s chair, one hand resting on the mouse as the other tapped absentmindedly against the armrest. His eyes never left the screen, where SilverBloom’s elegant mage stood perfectly still, waiting.

Killua’s silence spoke louder than anything. His wide-eyed panic, the way his mouth opened and closed like he wanted to explain but couldn’t form the words; Gon’s brain caught up quickly. Too quickly.

Killua is SilverBloom.

The final pieces locked into place, and Gon’s stomach did a somersault. The countless times SilverBloom had been there; always hyping him up, offering advice, making him laugh when he was too tense. The same snarky tone, the same dry wit Killua wielded like a weapon. All the time Gon had spent confiding in SilverBloom, talking about his crush, on Killua.

And now, the truth was sitting right in front of him, caught red handed with no exit in sight.

A slow grin tugged at the corners of Gon’s mouth as realization fully settled in.

Oh.

Ohhh.

“I… It… it's not what it looks like!” Killua stammered, finally finding his voice, though it was laced with panic. He took a step forward, his eyes darting from the screen to Gon’s face, like he was weighing whether to grab the mouse or run for the door.

Gon’s grin widened, his heart pounding in his ears.

“Oh, so it’s NOT you?” Gon teased, spinning the chair lazily to face Killua. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, the mouse dangling loosely in his grip. “NOT you, Killua, playing as SilverBloom?” He tilted his head, eyes gleaming with mischief.

Killua’s flush deepened, and he took another step closer, but Gon just pulled the mouse further out of reach.

“NOT you flirting with me behind the guise of an anonymous avatar?” Gon’s voice dropped, just enough to make Killua’s ears turn pink.

“Gon—” Killua’s voice was barely above a whisper, and his hands clenched at his sides.

But Gon wasn’t done. Not yet.

“And definitely NOT you playing Greed Island and being insanely good at it, after telling me for years how dumb the game was?”

Killua’s face was practically on fire now. His jaw clenched, his blue eyes flickering with panic and something else, something vulnerable. He looked ready to bolt.

“Gon.” It was barely even a plea, and Gon’s heart did a little flip.

“Please, Killua.” Gon’s voice was softer now, all the teasing gone. His smile was still there, but it was gentler, warmer. He leaned back just enough, giving Killua space; giving him a way out if he wanted it.

But Killua didn’t move. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, his eyes flicking down to the floor.

“I… I’m sorry." Killua mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t… I didn’t want you to find out like this.” His fingers twitched at his sides, his entire body tensed like he was bracing for impact. “Or at all, honestly.”

“Why not?” Gon asked softly. He placed the mouse back on the desk, no longer interested in the game or the screen, only in the boy in front of him. Killua’s eyes darted everywhere but at Gon, his jaw tight as if he were trying to hold back words he wasn’t ready to say.

Gon tilted his head, watching Killua’s nervousness with a mix of confusion and adoration. Killua wasn’t shy. Embarrassed? Sure. But this? This was different. His heart squeezed at the sight.

“Why did you think you had to hide from me?” Gon pressed, his tone softer now as he reached out, gently taking one of Killua’s hands in his. Killua’s fingers twitched in his grasp, but he didn’t pull away.

Killua’s lips pressed together, his brows furrowed as if he was waging an internal war. Finally, after what felt like forever, he murmured.

“I didn’t think you saw me…”

The words were barely above a whisper, but they hit Gon like a punch to the chest. His heart, already pounding, felt like it was swelling with something so much bigger than just affection. His grin grew, impossibly wide and full of warmth.

“How could I miss you?” Gon laughed softly, his thumb brushing over Killua’s knuckles. His voice dropped to a whisper, almost reverent. “Killua… you’re all I see. All I want to see.”

Killua’s breath hitched, his eyes finally lifting to meet Gon’s.

“And now that I know…” Gon swallowed, his face flushing deeper, but he didn’t back down. His fingers tightened around Killua’s hand as his heart beat louder than ever. “It makes it a hell of a lot easier to ask you out… again.” Killua flinched, eyes widening.

“What?” Killua squeaked, his voice an octave higher than usual. His wide, blue eyes stared at Gon, panic and embarrassment flashing in them like a warning signal.

Gon couldn’t help it. He laughed, a hearty, joyful sound that filled the space between them. His heart felt so light it might float away.

“You said it yourself, didn’t you?” Gon teased, his grin turning playful as he leaned in closer. His mind raced back to their conversation,his conversation, with SilverBloom. “And I quote: ‘So try harder. Ask him again. Be more obvious. Maybe he’s just stupid.’”

He watched Killua’s face go impossibly red, the blush creeping down his neck.

“That’s what Silver—you—said, right?” Gon’s voice dropped, his tone gentler now, but the teasing glint never left his eyes. “Did you mean it?”

Killua swallowed, his body rigid with tension, but he didn’t pull away when Gon stood and pressed their foreheads together.

“Ask me again." Killua whispered, his voice so soft and hesitant that it made Gon’s heart flip. His eyes fluttered shut for a moment, and when they opened again, there was something vulnerable, hopeful, in them. “I promise I’ll pay attention this time.”

Gon’s grin stretched wide, warmth radiating through him like sunlight after a storm. His heart pounded, but this time, it wasn’t out of fear, it was excitement. Confidence.

“Killua." Gon said, his voice steady, loud, and bold. “Would you like to be my boyfriend?”

Killua ducked his head almost immediately, a nervous laugh tumbling out as his face practically buried itself in Gon’s shoulder. But his head bobbed, nodding furiously.

“I am so stupid." Killua mumbled, his laugh muffled against Gon’s shirt. “And I’m… I’m really sorry for so blatantly rejecting you in high school. I mean, we… I…” He trailed off, words failing him as their giggles spilled out.

“Yes." Killua whispered between laughs, his voice full of sincerity and just a hint of disbelief. “Please. It’s all I’ve wanted for like… ever.”

He sighed, finally closing his eyes, his body melting into Gon’s as if all the tension had been holding him together until now. Gon giggled again, his arms instinctively tightening around Killua, holding him close like he was afraid to let go. His heart felt like it was soaring, and he had to fight the sudden urge to spin Killua around in pure joy. Elation bubbled up from his chest, tears pricking the corners of his eyes as he let out a breathless laugh.

Killua dissolved into giggles too, their bodies leaning against each other as they came down from the high of the moment. Their heads rested together, breath mingling, the world around them fading into nothing.

Gon pressed his forehead against Killua’s shoulder, his smile so wide it almost hurt. This wasn’t how he had imagined things would go, but maybe that was for the best. Because this? This was perfect.

Killua feels the same.

He really feels the same.

Gon’s heart swelled, happiness flooding through him in a way he hadn’t felt in years. His feelings, finally spoken, finally heard. And Killua? Killua was here, warm in his arms, laughing with him like they had all the time in the world.

“Gon?” Killua’s voice was soft, still laced with amusement, but his tone was laced with mock seriousness. “Can you let go now? You’re crushing me.”

Gon yelped, immediately releasing Killua like he’d been burned.

“Ah—s-sorry!” He stumbled back, hands raised in surrender, his cheeks instantly dusted with bright pink. He scratched the back of his head, his gaze darting to the grey carpet beneath their feet.

“I… I got excited.” He mumbled, his voice sheepish, eyes refusing to meet Killua’s. His heart was pounding, but now it was from nerves, not anticipation.

A heavy silence stretched between them, the weight of what had just happened settling around them. But before Gon could get too lost in his thoughts, Killua stepped forward.

“Gon.”

His tone was softer this time; no teasing, no laughter. Gon’s breath hitched as Killua’s cool fingers tilted his chin up, forcing him to meet those piercing blue eyes.

Oh.

“It's my turn to be bold.” Killua’s voice was barely above a whisper, but the determination in it made Gon’s breath catch.

And then Killua leaned in, his lips brushing softly against Gon’s.

The kiss was gentle, hesitant but full of unspoken words. Gon’s eyes fluttered shut, his heart pounding louder than ever, but this time, he didn’t pull away. He melted into Killua’s touch, his own lips moving instinctively to meet his. It was soft, sweet, and over far too soon.

When they pulled away, Killua’s face was just as flushed as Gon’s, his eyes wide, but there was a hint of a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Wow.” Gon whispered, his voice barely audible.

Killua blinked, his expression melting into a small, bashful grin.

“So…” Gon’s voice was teasing now, playful but with that same tenderness that made Killua’s heart stumble. “That was better this time, right?”

Killua huffed a laugh, his eyes glinting with a familiar spark despite the flush still dusting his cheeks.

“Idiot.” He bumped his forehead against Gon’s gently, but the smile tugging at his lips gave him away. “Yes. Much better.”

“Good." Gon murmured, his grin widening as his fingers laced gently with Killua’s. His thumb brushed over the back of Killua’s hand. “Because I was running out of creative ways to say it.”

Killua snorted, rolling his eyes, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he squeezed Gon’s hand, his voice softer when he spoke again.

“You’re really not gonna let me live down that ‘be more obvious’ comment, huh?”

“Not a chance.” Gon grinned, his amber eyes dancing with amusement. “You practically told me to hit you over the head with it.”

“I did not.” Killua groaned. Gon tilted his head, giving him an exaggeratedly thoughtful look.

“‘Be more obvious, maybe he’s just stupid,’” He quoted again, his grin widening as Killua buried his face in his free hand.

“Ughhh, I hate you.” Killua muttered, his voice muffled, but the laugh he was trying to hide was unmistakable.

“No, you don’t.” Gon teased, leaning in just enough for their noses to brush.

Killua lowered his hand just enough to peek at him through his fingers, blue eyes sparkling despite his embarrassment.

“…No, I don’t." he admitted softly, his lips quirking into a shy smile.

Gon’s heart skipped.

“Good.” he murmured, his thumb brushing over Killua’s knuckles again. “Because I’m kinda hoping this is the part where I get to keep you.”

Killua blinked, his breath catching,but then his smile grew, warmer this time. His fingers squeezed gently around Gon’s.

“Yeah.” He whispered, eyes softer than Gon had ever seen them. “I think I’d like that.”

Gon’s smile was blinding, his face lighting up with pure joy.

“Me too.”

And as they stood there, hands intertwined and hearts pounding in unison, it was as if the world around them faded away. For the first time in what felt like forever, everything felt… right.

“Okay.” Killua murmured with a familiar mischievousness. “But I’m still never letting you win in Greed Island.”

“Oh, we’ll see about that.” Gon grinned, his eyes narrowing playfully as he tugged Killua just a little closer. “Now that I know all your secrets, Killua.”

Killua smirked, his confidence returning.

“Bring it on, WildStrider.”

—

“Okay, chat. Do I have a surprise for you today!” Gon's voice rang through his apartment, his excitement practically vibrating through the walls. The familiar flurry of emotes and soundboard noises exploded from his speakers, filling the air with chaos. Killua barely glanced up from his spot on Gon's bed, his back propped against the headboard, an idle game open on his phone. His thumb lazily tapped at the screen, but his attention was split; half on his game, half on the overly enthusiastic boy in front of the camera.

They’d been dating for a few weeks now, and Gon had practically sprinted around campus telling anyone who would listen about their relationship. Killua didn’t mind. Not really. Seeing Gon glow with happiness made his chest feel warm, and if Gon was happy, then so was he.

Besides, now he got to kiss Gon.

And he really liked kissing Gon.

“I’m gonna reveal my crush on stream today!”

Killua’s thumb froze mid-tap. His head snapped up, eyes wide, and heat immediately flooded his face.

“You’re gonna what?!” He hissed, his heart pounding in his ears. Without thinking, he yanked the blanket over his head, cocooning himself like it would somehow protect him from the mortifying situation unfolding. Being Gon's boyfriend was one thing. But being exposed to his entire fanbase? The thousands of people watching?

Absolutely not.

“Killua…” Gon’s amused voice was dangerously close, and Killua’s stomach flipped. He could hear the sound of the chair scraping back and then soft footsteps padding toward the bed. The blanket was slowly tugged down, and Killua peeked out just enough to see Gon’s face hovering over his, a knowing grin stretching across his lips. His amber eyes were practically glowing with mischief.

“I want everyone to know what you mean to me." Gon murmured, his voice softer now, his eyes sincere.

Killua’s breath caught as Gon leaned in, brushing a featherlight kiss to his forehead. Then his cheek. And finally, his lips. It was brief, too brief, gone before Killua had the chance to reciprocate, leaving him dizzy and wanting.

“Gon…” His voice came out a little too breathy for his liking, and the blush spreading across his face burned hotter. He turned his head away, teeth sinking into his bottom lip in a futile attempt to steady his pounding heart. “F-Fine." He muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, but he couldn’t bring himself to meet Gon's gaze.

Gon’s laugh was soft and affectionate as he snaked his arms around Killua’s waist, pulling him flush against his chest. Killua melted into the warmth, letting out a sigh of surrender. His fingers found their way into Gon's unruly hair, absentmindedly threading through the familiar strands.

“Go entertain your crowd, Strider." He mumbled, pressing a kiss to the top of Gon's head, the teasing tone in his voice barely masking how flustered he was.

Gon pulled back just enough to rest his chin on Killua’s chest, that damn grin still plastered on his face. His eyes were twinkling with a mix of affection and pure mischief.

“I promise not to be too long." He whispered, but Killua didn’t believe him for a second.

“Yeah, sure you won’t." Killua grumbled, but his lips twitched.

Before Killua could react, Gon’s hand wrapped around his wrist, and with zero warning, he was being dragged off the bed.

“Wha—?! Gon! No!” Killua squeaked, his feet barely catching up as Gon tugged him toward the center of the camera frame.

“Okay, Wild Team, this is my boyfriend! Killua!” Gon announced, beaming as if he’d just won the lottery.

Killua’s entire body went rigid. His stomach plummeted.

A horrified sound escaped him as he instinctively slapped both hands over his face, attempting to shield himself from the thousands of eyes now glued to the screen.

“Gon." He hissed through his teeth, heat crawling up his neck. “I swear, I’m going to kill you.”

“Come on, Killua!” Gon whined, tugging at his hands and flashing that stupid, pleading puppy-dog look. “Let everyone see your beautiful face!”

Killua groaned, pressing his palms harder against his flushed cheeks.

“Gon…”

“Pleeease?” Gon leaned in, tilting his head and nuzzling against Killua’s temple, his breath warm against his skin. “For me?”

Killua’s resolve cracked. His heart, already weak where Gon was concerned, gave out completely.

“…You’re so lucky I like you." Killua muttered, voice barely above a grumble, his hands starting to slip away from his face.

“Correction." Gon whispered, his grin practically splitting his face as he pressed another kiss to Killua’s cheek. “You love me.”

Killua’s brain short-circuited and he swatted Gon away, turning to look at the camera, watching from his peripheral as the chat exploded.

[GemWarden]: I had a feeling…
[KonFan99]: OHHHHHHH
[Tonpachu]: IT WAS TOO OBVIOUS
[Striderfan404]: Have you told SilverBloom?! She's gonna die!

Killua stared at Gon as the name SilverBloom started to echo through the chat. He grimaced, recalling all the times the chat had shipped “SilverBloom” with Gon, and how correct they actually were. If they knew the truth, the internet might break.

“Gon…” He hissed a warning, but Gon was already two steps ahead of him, and not in a good way.

“Funny you should say that… Well, Killua IS SilverBloom.” Killua groaned audibly, moving more away from Gon, who grabbed his arm and pulled him as close as possible to him.

The chat went absolutely wild the moment Gon spoke, and Killua knew his fate was sealed.

[GemWarden]: WAIT WHAT???
[KonFan99]: SILVERBLOOM???? KILLUA??????
[Striderfan404]: THE PLOT TWIST NO ONE EXPECTED
[ChibiHawk22]: Is this a childhood friends to lovers story?!
[Tonpachu]: SILVERBLOOM INTENSIFIES
[Featherlight96]: I knew it!
[Tonpachu]: THE WHOLE TIME???
[Striderfan404]: WAIT, WHAT ELSE DID I MISS?!
[ChibiHawk22]: KILLUA IS A LITERAL TEASE

Killua was now a shade of red that even he didn’t know was possible, the sheer overwhelming chaos of everything happening washing over him. He tried to look at Gon, who, for some reason, was practically glowing, basking in the attention that came with everyone knowing the truth.

“You’re evil.” Killua muttered, his voice full of exasperation. It wasn’t really a complaint, more of an affectionate accusation. Gon, ever the charmer, just smirked back.

“They all love you more than me anyway.” He teased, leaning his head on Killua’s shoulder, his voice playful, though Killua could see the hint of vulnerability in it. But Killua wasn’t about to let Gon have the last word.

“I’m cuter than you, let’s face it.” He retorted, a knowing glint in his eye.

Gon shot him a mock pout, then, as though to prove some kind of point, kissed Killua on the cheek. The soft brush of Gon’s lips sent a shiver down Killua’s spine, his heart thundering in his chest. A rush of warmth flooded him, and in that moment, Killua knew he couldn’t hold back anymore.

“They are correct about that.” Gon grinned, his voice barely a whisper. Killua rolled his eyes and leaned in, brushing his lips against Gon's.

Gon’s eyes widened in surprise. He yelped, though not in panic, more in delighted shock. Killua’s grin only deepened, knowing exactly how much he’d caught Gon off guard. He then turned quickly to the camera and winked, a mischievous glint in his eyes, as he swung it away from their faces, hiding the intimate moment from the world.

He didn’t need anyone else to see this.

This moment was for him.

For Gon.

When he turned back to Gon, he didn’t waste another second, grabbing the sleeves of Gon's shirt and pulling him toward the bed with a sharp tug.

“Shut up.” He murmured, his voice low, as he captured Gon's lips in a kiss so intense, so hungry, that Killua felt like the entire world disappeared. The soft squeak from Gon only made him grin wider as he pressed his lips harder against Gon's, his hands pulling him even closer. In that kiss, there was no more hesitation, no more chaos. Just the two of them, finally, in a moment that was all their own.