illua might have been hungover, but he was alive and didn't feel godawful. He already felt guilty for calling in sick, so when he called in again, it was to go back on his word. His manager said, "If you're feeling sick—"

"I lied," Killua sighed. "I'm fine this morning, really. I'd just like to work today, if that's okay?"

His manager hummed through the phone. Killua bit his lip as she said, "Well... you're already up at the ass-crack of dawn. Might as well."

"Thank you," Killua breathed. "I'll call the girl who was supposed to cover for me, let her know she doesn't have to come in."

Thus was how Killua spent his Friday morning, pulling shots and mixing tea. He was grateful for the distraction. His OChem exam was that afternoon and he found that it was easier to focus on it when he didn't spend the entire morning cramming for it. Starbucks was a welcome distraction, even if the throbbing in his head said otherwise.

He crouched in front of the cashier, tearing open a fresh bag of cups. As he refilled the cup holder, he stopped at the sound of Freecss' voice on the other side of the counter.

"Large matcha latte, light ice, and..."

"No foam?" a girl said.

Killua twisted the bag like he was wringing someone's neck.

"Right. And a triple shot latte, no foam, please."

Gon was sticking his card into the machine when Killua emerged from beneath the counter. The instant he came into view, both Gon and the girl jumped like they were in a goddamn haunted house. Killua stared blankly at them until the card machine beeped and Gon scrambled to put his card away.

"K-Killua! I thought—I thought you called in sick?" Gon said.

Killua yanked the knot on the bag tight. His coworker flinched and smiled apologetically for him as Killua went to the backroom to put it away.

He wished he could slam the backroom door shut—he probably could, but that'd be suspicious. When he was out of view of the counter, Killua put his hand to his hair and let out a shuddering breath. It felt like someone had his esophagus in their fist and was shaking it. He swallowed hard.

He checked the clock on the wall and realized that Gon had come in earlier than usual. Gon's comment confirmed it—he wouldn't have come in with his date had he known Killua was there. That just makes it worse, Killua thought, furious. Why did it even matter to him? He had gone a few days thinking that he'd be able to handle it if Gon dated other people, but...

They'd only known each other for two weeks. I have to stop acting entitled, he told himself, but Kurapika's still right: Gon's still a bitch.

When Killua emerged from the backroom, he resumed his place in the espresso assembly line. He picked up Gon's cup and set to work. He dumped out the used grounds from the last shot and pulled fresh grounds out. He latched it into the machine, aware that Gon was standing in front of him, peering over the espresso machine at him.

"I'm... going to Colorado after this," Gon said.

Killua kept his eyes on the machine switch. Yorknew University was going up against Denver on Saturday, he knew that. In fact, his parents had tickets to that game, one of which was withheld from him. Killua figured that if he was still at Yorknew Law, he would have been spending this weekend in Colorado, too.

Killua wiped down the steamer spout and drizzled milk into Gon's drink. He held the foam back before sliding the drink across the counter to where his coworker called Gon's name. Killua met Gon's eyes before the idiot moved to claim the drink. The girl stood there looking between the two of them before picking up her green tea with a frown.

As they walked away, he caught wind of the girl whispering, "Do you know that guy?"

Killua scoffed to himself, rolling his eyes away from where Gon held the door for the girl and walked out.

______

11:35 🏈🤼‍♂️ is typing...

11:36 Good luck on your exam!

11:40 Read ✔︎

13:35 🏈🤼‍♂️ is typing...

13:37 What're you doing tonight?

13:38 Read ✔︎

13:45 Killuaaaa D:

13:50 Sorry about this morning D:

13:51 I didn't want to cancel the date last minute like an asshole D:

13:53 I told her I'm seeing someone else

13:54 Read ✔︎

19:24 Call from 🏈🤼‍♂️

19:25 Missed call from 🏈🤼‍♂️

19:27 is typing...

19:30 I messaged all of them

19:31 Image attached

________

18:45 Jesus Christ

18:48 What

18:49 Gon is getting emotional

18:49 This is not a drill I REPEAT NOT A DRILL

18:50 Why tho

18:52 Uvogin is cuddling with him

18:53 I think he's crying

18:54 Do you have Snapchat? I'll add you so I can send you a video of this.

👊added you!

19:02 🔪is typing...

19:03 Jesus Christ what is your username

19:04 It seemed relevant at the time

19:04 Open video snap

— "Uvo, you do it! I can't do it—"

— "We'll do it together, give me your hand."

— "NO! I can't do it!"

— "Don't make me physically restrain yo—FREECSS! Shit!"

— "Jesus Christ—"

— "KNUCKLE ARE YOU RECORDING THIS?!"

— "SHIT DUDE HE'S COMIN' FOR YOU—"

— incomprehensible screaming, shaky escape camera work —

— "GOTTA BLAST!"

19:06 I'm—

19:06 Speechless

19:08 Knuckle??

19:09 You added him on snapchat D:

19:09 Read ✔︎

19:10 D:

19:11 He made your nickname "Gon's Toy" :D

19:13 Hey I'm back

19:13 Jesus Christ

19:14 Tricked ya :D

19:14 Still Gon :D

19:14 Read ✔︎

19:15 Killuaaaa D:

19:20 Okay I'm back Jesus Christ on a ten-speed bike

19:20 Gon is slippery as fuck lemme tell ya

19:21 Read ✔︎

19:22 Dude I got my phone back what's up

19:22 Read ✔︎

19:23 Whatever :T Not like I wanted to talk to you anyway smh

_______

19:35 🏈🤼‍♂️is typing...

19:35 I deleted Tinder

19:35 Image attached

19:36 Image attached

19:37 Call from 🔪

Killua paced his dorm room for the few seconds it took for Gon to answer the phone. The screenshots of Gon's phone's home screen were still visible in the chat when the audio spectrum spiked at the ruffled sound on the other end of the line. There were some muffled voices mingling incomprehensibly before a door slammed shut. Killua heard the lock click.

Killua folded his arm over his chest, perching his elbow on his wrist as he held his phone close to his mouth, his breath caught in his throat. The tingling excitement rippled through every twisted fiber of his nervous system like it had during their last phone call.

"Sorry about that—I had to get away from the guys," Gon's voice broke through the call.

Killua sat on the edge of his bed with a huff of amusement. "Yeah, sounds like it."

A beat of silence passed between them before Gon was saying, "You're talking to me."

"Yeah, I am. I said I would."

"I know. I just... guess I wasn't sure. If you'd want to talk to me after this morning," he said.

Killua dropped his gaze to his lap as he cleared his throat. He rubbed his heel into the rug and said, "I get it. Sorry for being an asshole to you about it."

"It's over now," Gon said, quickly. "You don't have to worry about it. I'm... done with all that, is what I'm trying to say."

Killua smiled to himself as he said, "For me? Or is this where you tell me I'm secretly a part of your Tinder message hit list?"

Gon laughed. "No, you're not on the message list. Promise."

Killua rolled his eyes, leaning on his bed until his back hit the comforter and he could feel the weight on his chest exhaling with his breath. The silence was thin but obvious, like a film of saran wrap stretched over their conversation. They could feel each other though they couldn't see one another, and Killua was content. He simmered in the anticipation churning in his chest, setting his nerves on fire the longer they existed in the quiet.

At last, Gon whispered, "How was your exam?"

"As good as can be expected," Killua sighed. "Where are you now?"

"At the hotel," Gon said and, after a moment, added, "In the bathroom. Everyone's at the waterpark now." Alone.

Killua sat up with a shiver and said, "Skip the intro?"

"Do it," Gon said.

"How pissed were you when you saw me dancing with Knuckle?" he asked.

Gon sucked in a sharp breath. Killua snickered as Gon breathed, "So pissed."

Killua feigned a pitying, "Aw, poor you." Gon whined incomprehensibly before Killua interrupted him to whisper, "Did you wish that was you up there with me?"

He bit his lip as Gon said, "Yes," like the answer was obvious. "You looked so good up there—"

"I'd probably get you hard just grinding," Killua said. "My ass on your—"

"Fuck. Have you done this before?"

"What specifically?"

"All of it. Have you done it before?"

Killua recalled Gon's question has they were setting up his Tinder profile. Just out of curiosity. He bit his lip and said, "That depends."

"Do you know what you like?" Gon said.

Killua shifted to the side, his sweats becoming more uncomfortable the longer they talked. He rubbed a hand against his waistband as he hummed and said, "Yeah, I'd say so."

"Tell me what you want, then," he said.

"To be in charge," Killua answered. He didn't even need to think about it. He crawled across his bed to lean down and rifle through his desk drawer. "To top. I'd fuck you open with my fingers, Freecss, I swear to God—"

"Seriously?!" Gon shrieked. Killua startled, the bottle in his hand slipping from his fingers. He cursed as Gon said, "I guess that makes sense. You kind of exude a dominatrix vibe."

"Did—Did you just call me a dom?" Killua squeaked, sitting up on his knees. "That's fucked, dude. I'm not—I mean—"

His power complex might have something to do with that...

He shook his head as Gon said, "It's kinda hot, not gonna lie. If you got me a collar, I'd wear it."

"I am not getting you a fucking collar," Killua laughed. "I have loans to pay off, idiot."

"Then when I'm in the NFL I'll buy my own diamond-studded collar and it'll have your name on it and everything—"

"Oh, yeah, definitely. You'll wear it to all the games," Killua said, falling back with a shocked laugh. His stomach hurt from giggling. He rolled to the side and flopped onto his stomach, ignoring the friction against his hard on as he said, "But seriously, I'm not into that scene, contrary to what our sexual banter says."

"So no hot wax? Damn," Gon said.

Killua bit his tongue to keep from demolishing his lip any further.

"I can't wait to see you when I get back," Gon said, quietly. A beat of silence. "Could I visit you Sunday night?"

Killua swallowed hard and nodded. "Y-Yeah, sure."

He could feel the smile in Gon's voice as he said, "Okay. Well, I'll let you go. I'll see you later?"

Killua agreed and a moment later, Gon hung up on him. Killua put his phone down, mildly in shock, and continued to lay frozen on his bed. He stayed that way for another several minutes before turning his head to stare at his backpack. He had a short while to get his shit together, and by God, he'd do it all before the Hunters returned from Colorado.

He had plans with Zushi the following day, which meant spending the afternoon and evening far, far away from the Republic. After Thirsty Thursday, Zushi seemed far less inclined to drink another day away. The Republic started day drinking at seven in the morning and powered through the entire football game. Killua and Zushi, instead, split a pot of tea at a tea shop and watched the highlights on Killua's computer in between quizzing each other on anatomy.

Football felt different now that Killua knew several of the faces on the field personally. He felt an intense rush of pride when they paused studying, enrapt, watching Knuckle Bine pass the football down the field dozens of yards to where one of their wide receivers, Shoot, tackled an oncoming Denver player to make way for Freecss. Freecss lunged over the body of a linebacker skidding to take his legs out, and on the landing, he pivoted and caught Knuckle's pass.

Killua sat there, his closed fist against his mouth as Zushi whispered, "Did you see that?" Had they been in any other setting, Killua was certain the both of them would have been screaming and throwing their arms in the air.

"Yeah," he breathed. "I swear Achilles is his ancestor or something."

Zushi snorted and said, "Yeah, and you're Pátroklos."

Killua blinked and said, "Wasn't Pátroklos a physician?"

"Shit, you're right. You are Pátroklos." He put up a hand to tick off the evidence. "Gay as Hell, premed, and same size—could totally wear his armor and helmet and pass for him."

Killua laughed and said, "Yeah, 'armor'."

They resumed studying, but Killua's mind was stuck on Zushi's last point. Gon had said that they had the same build—albeit, Killua looked more like pre-pubescent Gon with his severe lack of muscle mass. If this was true, then they could potentially share clothes, right? Gon's Hunter sweatshirts were his armor, and Killua couldn't deny just how much he wanted to snatch one.

He hadn't been around Gon long enough to have his cologne committed to memory. He wondered if all of Gon's sweatshirts smelled like his shampoo or soap, maybe his aftershave.

He tugged the sleeves of his shirt over his palms and tucked them between his knees. He could think about that later, but for now, he needed to keep his eyes on the notecards Zushi held up. It was just barely enough to keep himself from falling into the mental spiral shaped like Freecss.

After they finished their teapot and the game ended, Killua and Zushi called it quits on studying. Killua's stomach was growling for food, so they packed up and walked across campus to Hatsu Hall. Distantly, they could hear the hum of an afterparty in the Republic's general direction. Zushi balanced on the river's concrete ledge, walking with his arms out with Killua walking beside him, intent on dragging him back onto land if he got too careless.

Hatsu Hall was at the end of the riverwalk. The walkway was populated with college students leaving Frat Row. There were girls in neon bralettes underneath Hunter green overalls and shirtless guys in camo pants. Killua ignored them and the obnoxious music on someone's speakers, but he couldn't ignore the sight of someone familiar sitting on one of the benches outside of Hatsu Hall, watching the river.

Killua paused for a moment, steps slowing. They were too far to see the girl properly, but Killua would recognize those hair beads anywhere.

"Alluka?" he said, calling Zushi's attention.

Zushi hopped off of the ledge as Killua started forward at a jog, and then a sprint. He ducked around students taking the riverwalk, weaving through with Zushi at his heels. The girl glanced in their direction, and Killua threw an arm up and shouted, "Alluka!"

Alluka bounded to her feet. Her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail that bobbed when she walked forward, her smile bright and wide. "Killua!" she said, giggling as she slammed into Killua. She jumped, feet sweeping off of the ground.

Killua swung her around. His eyes were wide, his heart still frozen in shock from finding her there, outside of Hatsu Hall. When he set her down, he held her at arm's length and shook his head, mouth ajar. "How did you...?"

"I took a bus," she said, smiling. "I left my phone at home to throw Milluki off my trail."

She leant over, peering around Killua. Killua glanced back at where Zushi was just now approaching, a bit out of breath. Zushi waved and said, "Hey, I'm Zushi—Killua's friend."

"Future roommate," Killua added, dropping his hands to pull Zushi over by the shoulder. Zushi laughed.

Alluka put her hand out to him. "Nice to meet you, Zushi, friend and future roommate," she said. She gave him a firm shake and said, "Any friend of Killua's is a friend of mine."

She leant back and pushed her sunglasses back and, likewise, tucked a loose braid behind her ear. Her bangs were fluffy and combed neatly to one side, framing her bright, steely blue eyes. Killua felt compelled to hug her again, so he did, squeezing her tightly around the shoulders. She tucked her cheek to his shoulder, her hands settling lightly on his back.

Alluka's hair smelled like home, and Killua closed his eyes against the aroma of lavender incense and the warmth bubbling in his chest. "I missed you too," she said, patting his shoulder.

"What're you doing here?" he said, leaning back.

She went back to the bench and sat down. Killua ducked down beside her. He had too much energy to sit still on a bench, so Zushi took her other side and put his elbow on the backrest, facing Alluka as she scratched a finger against her cheek and smiled weakly.

"Well... I wanted to talk to you," she said. She pouted then and muttered, "And Ma has been more unbearable than usual. I needed to get out of the house."

She glanced at Zushi, who leant his head against his hand and said, "Oh, don't worry about me. I'm all caught up."

"Illumi came to visit me," Killua said. Alluka turned back, eyes wide in surprise. Her ponytail flicked back and smacked Zushi in the face. As Zushi sputtered and flicked hair out of his mouth, Killua said, "How was the Yorknew Law entry exam?"

Alluka gave a firm nod and said, "It went well. I turned in my essay last month and they were quick to get back to me."

"Are you... seriously planning on attending?" he asked.

Alluka tucked her hands between her legs, shoulders pushed up to her ears. She looked guiltily out to the water and said, "I don't know... I just really want to go to school here and be with you."

"Aw..." Zushi sang. Both Alluka and Killua turned to look at him, and Zushi turned away, cheeks puffed out, "What? That was really sweet..."

"You shouldn't pick your major based on whether or not it'll be paid for," Killua told her. "I thought you were into psychology?"