Chapter Text
The clamoring sounds of traffic and industrialism hit the pair immediately as they stepped off the train into the bustling center of Yorknew city. It certainly wasn't the first time they had been here — far from it, in fact. That much was evident by the way the brown-eyed boy bounded off the train, backpack bouncing as he inhaled deeply, eyes closing for a second before he turned around and shot the silver-haired boy behind him a wide, infectious grin.
"Where are we going first, Killua?"
Killua shoved his hands deep in his pocket, blue eyes looking anywhere but at the dazzling, beaming ball of light that was currently staring at him expectantly, like a puppy waiting for a toy.
"I-I don't care. It's whatever."
He finally managed out, voice just a little lower than usual. Anywhere with you. Anywhere you want to go. As long as it's with you. He wanted to say. The words stuck in his throat, and he clenched his hands in his pocket.
"Hmm.. Alright, Killua! How about, how about.. I got it! The cafe — you know, the one next to Madison Square garden!"
Killua could practically see the light-bulb above Gon's head, and he allowed a small smile to pull at the corners of his lips as he gave a noncommittal shrug.
"That's fine," He said, embellishing the simple words with a long sigh, as if it were a chore. "You're paying this time, though. 'Cause I paid last time, in Doli city."
Gon wasn't paying, and Killua knew they both were well aware of that. In fact, the last (and first) time Gon had paid for their food was the night in the airship during the Hunter Exam, after the first phase. Killua's mind wandered slightly. It was a long time ago now, wasn't it? The Hunter Exam… He wondered vaguely how Leorio and Kurapika were doing. No time to ponder on that. He was abruptly snapped out of his thoughts by a hand pulling on his sleeve, and looked up to see those shining eyes much too close for comfort. A light pink tinged his cheeks when he brain finally caught up to the situation, and he almost ripped his arm away with a yell.. But something in Gon's face stopped him, so he scoffed lightly instead and allowed himself to be lead away. His eyes never strayed from the back of Gon's head.
"Killua, you know, having that much chocolate at once is probably bad for you! Just because you haven't had them in a while doesn't mean you should be having so many at onc—"
Killua had just opened his mouth to respond to Gon's nagging when a blur of yellow caught the corner of his eye, along with a small yelp that he immediately registered as Gon. He whipped around, arms already out of his pockets, to see—
"Eeeh—?"
Gon sprawled on the floor, next to a girl — 14? 15? — who had a head of blonde hair, and was currently scrambling to pick up the books scattered across the floor. Without missing a beat, Gon had already jumped to his feet, and was now crouched on the floor, helping her out. It was irrational, but Killua's heart gave a small lurch at the sight. He was fully aware of this irrationality, and so he didn't say anything at first — just stood behind Gon like a silent shadow, arms crossed in front of his chest and a gaze sharp enough to cut paper, fixed on the girl, whose face was now pink with embarrassment. Her fast, discreet glances at Gon were not lost on Killua.
His eyes were hawk-like, fixed on the girl. He saw the way she was staring. At his best friend! Something ugly tugged at his heart, flaring up in his chest and bringing that pink tinge back in his cheeks, but now for a completely different reason. As soon as all the books were gathered up off the floor and Gon had straightened up again, Killua stepped forward and deliberately slung an arm around Gon's shoulders, pulling him tightly into his side. He practically glued himself to Gon.
Then he smiled at the girl.
Not a nice smile.
A sharp, calculating smile.
"Hey," he said casually, eyes unblinking. "You okay?"
His voice was light, almost airy.. But there was definitely something else underneath it. Gon blinked at Killua, but said nothing else as he watched this altercation with wide eyes. He didn't know what it was, but something told him that things might not work out between the two. He ignored the feeling.
The girl, on the other hand, could not. She froze like a deer in headlights under Killua's intense, smoldering stare. She opened her mouth to speak — perhaps another apology — but no sound came out.
Her brain short-circuited.
This guy was.. wow.
Silver hair that gleamed in the sun like moonlight; sharp, cat-like blue eyes that seemed to stare into her soul.. and that intense, dreadful vibe that he was currently radiating. Without even realising it, she had stepped back, suddenly very aware that she didn't stand even a chance against this intimidatingly threatening boy.
She gulped, and quickly stammered out a quick, "I'm okay, no damage!", fighting every instinct to turn around and bolt. Her gloved hands clutched harder at the straps of her bag, as she chanced a quick glance at the green-haired boy beside him, only to see that he hadn't seemed to notice a thing. Or perhaps he had, and he was playing dumb..? Or was she imagining things?
Gon caught her glance, to her immediate dismay, and shot her a bright, sunny smile.
In the face of that smile, her heart seemed to implode in on herself slightly. Before she could stop herself—
"I-I'm Mika!" She blurted suddenly. Her name spilled out like a confession. She immediately regretted it when Killua's gaze snapped back to hers with laser focus. Ah..