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For as long as Kite had known Ging, he was always a man of doing. Wherever Ging went, he was doing something, being someone, chasing whatever new goal he'd set for himself. Kite knew Ging would never say it out loud, they could feel the pride he felt in finding someone who could keep up with his pace. By no means was that by merit of Kite being similar to Ging. They had just dedicated their life to being the one who would stick around Ging.
Kite knew it was a pointless endeavour. They saw the way Ging squirmed and itched to get away from them during their off days where Ging couldn't hide under copius amounts of work and was forced to truly be there in the moment. With Kite.
Today was one of those days. They were in a small unknown port city located in the middle of the Azian Continent, scouting the area for an artifact that caught Ging's eye. He described it upto as a necklace of sorts that was rumored to have been used to fend off spirits in an ancient kingdom that existed where the Kakin Kingdom now lies. Kite themself didn't find much interest in either the kingdom or this particular artifact but they were aware of Ging's interest in the kingdom so they agreed to come along due to also being in the area.
Or at least that's what they said.
It was just a flimsy excuse so Kite would be able to spend more time by Ging's side. Ging knew that.
Kite felt the cool night wind against his face and the intense yet familiar nen by his side. Ging let his legs hang off the edge of the dock.
"Hey, Kite."
Kite didn't respond, instead turning his body to face his master awaiting the end of Ging's sentence.
"Kite."
It was odd for Ging to ever repeat himself, moreso when he was aware that he had his students' attention. "Yeah?"
"If you could restart your life, a chance to redo it all and rid yourself of all your regrets, what would you change?"
"Redo anything?" Kite thought about it for a moment and considered his answer and what Ging would want to hear. Ging always posed random questions and tests to Kite, sometimes the answer was inconsequential but other times they knew whatever they answered with could potentially change Ging's entire perception of them. And, after all, Kite had many regrets, falling in love with a man like Ging among the biggest of them. "I'd give that one lady who used sell clothes on the main street back her sewing needle. She ended up getting sick for weeks due to her not being able to close the holes in her clothes. "
Ging laughed. His laughs were radiant and beautiful. To Kite, Ging was like a star; an explosion of light, a guide, but ultimately dead and empty within.
"Kite, you could pick anything," Kite liked the way Ging said their name. "And that's all?"
They scoffed. "Of course not. I'd find a way to meet you earlier on the day we met. So I could spend longer by your side."
Even if Kite regretted falling in love with this man, they were willing to bear the regret of a thousand lifetimes for a moment of being in Ging's company. Kite was acutely aware that he would never love them back but it was nothing but an afterthought to them. Growing up without love, Kite never expected love from anyone in his life, much less someone as wonderful as Ging.
"Stop saying that with such an intense look on your face. It's grossing me out." Ging made a face at Kite. He's embarrassed. Cute.
"Would you rather I do that horrid frog-like frown you perpetually wear while I talk about my regrets?"
"Oh, fuck off." Ging shoved them a bit with his shoulder, not bothering to hide the grin on his face.
They looked at each other in content before Kite spoke again, "How 'bout you?"
"Nah, I have no regrets," Liar. "Maybe I would've been tougher on you earlier so my student would turn out to be such a wuss."
"I wouldn't consider myself a wuss."
"Oh yeah? Jump in the water right now then"
"How is that supp-"
"A test of bravery. Or," Ging leaned his face closer to theirs. "Is my only student conceding to the title of wuss?"
Kite could feel their face heating up from the sudden proximity and began to move begrudgingly. "Alright. I'll do it."
Kite stood and discarded their cloak and bag so as to not ruin anything attached onto it and quickly jumped in. Better not to overthink it.
The freezing cold water immediately burned his skin a bit. They missed the warmth they felt moments prior in the comfort of their cloak. Kite didn't bother surrounding their body with ten like they normally would have. It would've disappointed Ging.
"Beginning to regret meeting me now?" Ging smirked as he held out his hand to help Kite out.
Kite took a hold on his hand and used their bodyweight to pull Ging back down with him earning a rare shocked face from their mentor.
Kite smiled.
"Never."
Ging could spend as much time as he wanted chasing after things to escape his regrets, Kite would always be there to chase after him.