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return of the (literal) cow boy, who has been temporarily un-cowed
Who: Gon Freecss + whomever
When: 12/19ish maybe
Where: Probably all through Aefenglom, but not outside of it.
What: Gon is back after having been suddenly gone since early November, and is really confused, because from his perspective, he doesn't even remember leaving! But everything is different...
Warnings: baby gay nonsense for Killua thread, but nothing else really!
[when Gon wakes up, his head feels fuzzy, thrumming and strange. he blinks through the thick of his eyelashes sleepily and slowly a few times, then finally pushes himself up—and before he's postured this way, he's already had some groggy recognition of where he wakes up. he recognizes all of the mirrors, and recognized them from where he'd just been laying, but is deeply puzzled—it makes him feel like he's maybe still in a dream. he's not sure why he's here, instead of back home, cozied up under the thick of his own downy comforters.
he slips off the side of the bed, and observes also that, strangely, he isn't even in his pajamas. he's dressed in his usual attire. even more, this makes Gon wonder if he's actually dreaming... but he feels too present.
it's then that Gon jumps, noticing that his hands are all clean, smooth skin—no sheen of dark, short fur, and his nails are a normal color too. startled, Gon's eyes widen, and he leans forward, sticking out his legs—shocked to find that they're human again, clad in the boots that had long since been discarded in the corner of his closet since he'd developed the lower legs of a young bovine.]
—Huh!? What th—...
[now with renewed urgency, Gon quickly throws the blankets off, and makes for the door. when Gon tries to make his way out, Gon is greeted by Witches, and familiar dialogue rolls—Gon interrupts, piping up that he's been here before, and he knows all that, and that he's confused about what's going on. the Witches merely tell him that's fine, give him his (new) watch, which Gon puzzles at curiously, because it looks different... and he's on his way. noting that he's finally, with some confused trepidation, exits the Coven, Gon actually lets out a sharp little gasp, brows knitting crossly as he abruptly scowls.
it's—cold!
immediately, Gon wonders if there's some kind of magic mishap in the city again, but from everywhere he can see, though... there's snow. Gon suddenly misses the fur on his legs, even if he's more than grateful—if complexed beyond belief—for having human legs again.
Gon makes his way to his home, and then, strangely, notices that... it's occupied. Gon freezes, then lowers himself as he approaches a bit closer (unaware that he's trespassing), and realizes that it's not an intrusion situation. it's a somebody-lives-there situation—which causes Gon to, bewildered, peek around the yard... and he's positive it's his cabin.
Gon stares blankly at the cool cast of snow over where he'd been growing vegetables in the Summer, his mind flatlining, and then turns in a hurry, running in the opposite direction.]
[OOC: HELLO i am back!
if you had CR with Gon and would like to have our characters reunite, and you'd like me to toplevel for you, pls toss me a PP at![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
poisonparfait, or PM this journal! or just throw up your own toplevel with no warning and surprise me, that's great too]
When: 12/19ish maybe
Where: Probably all through Aefenglom, but not outside of it.
What: Gon is back after having been suddenly gone since early November, and is really confused, because from his perspective, he doesn't even remember leaving! But everything is different...
Warnings: baby gay nonsense for Killua thread, but nothing else really!
[when Gon wakes up, his head feels fuzzy, thrumming and strange. he blinks through the thick of his eyelashes sleepily and slowly a few times, then finally pushes himself up—and before he's postured this way, he's already had some groggy recognition of where he wakes up. he recognizes all of the mirrors, and recognized them from where he'd just been laying, but is deeply puzzled—it makes him feel like he's maybe still in a dream. he's not sure why he's here, instead of back home, cozied up under the thick of his own downy comforters.
he slips off the side of the bed, and observes also that, strangely, he isn't even in his pajamas. he's dressed in his usual attire. even more, this makes Gon wonder if he's actually dreaming... but he feels too present.
it's then that Gon jumps, noticing that his hands are all clean, smooth skin—no sheen of dark, short fur, and his nails are a normal color too. startled, Gon's eyes widen, and he leans forward, sticking out his legs—shocked to find that they're human again, clad in the boots that had long since been discarded in the corner of his closet since he'd developed the lower legs of a young bovine.]
—Huh!? What th—...
[now with renewed urgency, Gon quickly throws the blankets off, and makes for the door. when Gon tries to make his way out, Gon is greeted by Witches, and familiar dialogue rolls—Gon interrupts, piping up that he's been here before, and he knows all that, and that he's confused about what's going on. the Witches merely tell him that's fine, give him his (new) watch, which Gon puzzles at curiously, because it looks different... and he's on his way. noting that he's finally, with some confused trepidation, exits the Coven, Gon actually lets out a sharp little gasp, brows knitting crossly as he abruptly scowls.
it's—cold!
immediately, Gon wonders if there's some kind of magic mishap in the city again, but from everywhere he can see, though... there's snow. Gon suddenly misses the fur on his legs, even if he's more than grateful—if complexed beyond belief—for having human legs again.
Gon makes his way to his home, and then, strangely, notices that... it's occupied. Gon freezes, then lowers himself as he approaches a bit closer (unaware that he's trespassing), and realizes that it's not an intrusion situation. it's a somebody-lives-there situation—which causes Gon to, bewildered, peek around the yard... and he's positive it's his cabin.
Gon stares blankly at the cool cast of snow over where he'd been growing vegetables in the Summer, his mind flatlining, and then turns in a hurry, running in the opposite direction.]
[OOC: HELLO i am back!
if you had CR with Gon and would like to have our characters reunite, and you'd like me to toplevel for you, pls toss me a PP at
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He scowls (pouts) as Gon sits back, settling against the couch cushions as well with a grunt. ]
I mean...
[ Damn. Gon says it so casually, how he wants to 'take care' of him. It really makes Killua kind of angry. Also, it's unfairly cute. ]
I guess that's fine too. I told you I don't care either way. You're the one being naggy!
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So, speaking of that, you think you can manage a bath before bed? I can get your bed ready for you. Or, if you're tired, I can wash your back instead of making your bed.
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Killua can feel his cheeks heating up again with embarrassment just thinking about it.
He has two options here. He can brush Gon off and tell him he's fine again and that it's easy enough to do something so simple as take a bath or make his bed. Not like he'd bother to make it anyway, just hop in on the same sheets. They're not that dirty. He can take care of himself just fine.
Or...
He could selfishly use this opportunity to do the opposite, playing up the fever and discomfort he'd be perfectly capable of ignoring otherwise. He could really let Gon... take care of him. He could probably even be a little indulgent. And later, he can use the excuse to blame it on the magic sickness so it doesn't seem so weird.
Damn...
Killua hesitates, swallowing against the butterflies swarming in his stomach and trying to crawl up his throat. He feels so stupid. ]
I guess I am... kinda tired.
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there’s of course the weight of their past strife behind this desire, an unending and abysmal need to make up his mistake to Killua. and then, of course, Gon had underwent the painful and long enduring physical transformations that came with becoming a Faun, and Killua had taken care of him for most of that—not to mention Gon’s various bouts of high emotional turbulence, crying through the agony of his grief and remorse on more than one occasion with Killua there, once again, to receive him. and Gon had gone from feeling lousy about all of that to feeling downright frustrated.
so, all that said, of course Gon won’t pass this up. a Bond is a partnership, and as far as he’s concerned, he and Killua have a partnership outside of that too, of sorts. and partnerships require reciprocated care and work in all contexts.]
Okay!
[honestly, Gon and Killua have only just sat down—Gon still feels the chill on his skin, though it’s finally warming off. but all the same, Gon launches from a sit to a stand with a dramatic and bouncy swing of his legs, smiling as he turns around to fetch Killua by his wrists, letting that grip slide to the soft swells of Killua’s palms.]
Then, come on—let’s clean up and get you some rest.
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They used to take baths together all the time when they were younger, but it's been a while. And though he'd always been a little embarrassed, considering he'd had a crush on Gon since before he'd even realized what the feeling was, now that they're older, it feels... indulgent. Almost illicit.
...not that Gon will think of it that way, of course. It's casual for him. It's not weird for friends to hang out in open-air baths, and this is little different if it's just to help him out, especially since Gon seems to have it in his head he can't even make his own bed or wash his back. Killua is enjoying the excuse for closeness too much to protest heavily against this impression.
And in truth, he is very tired. More tired than he probably realizes, holding everything back like he has been.
The relief of having Gon back relieves some of the tension; having Gon holding his hand makes him feel on edge again, though in a different way.
Killua squeezes back, gently, as he lets Gon lead him. ]
Okay, okay... geez.
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Good. Alright—go ahead and get ready, I’ll draw the bath.
[Gon walks with Killua, close in tow (touching the entire time, in some capacity), and he parts with Killua to draw the water. and while the water heats, Gon notices the ways that Killua’s bathroom has kind of gotten a way with him...
and he busies himself as the water runs, tidying here and there—and when the water seems hot, Gon peeks in the plug the tub—and frowns. he takes a moment to give the tub a quick wipe down using a face towel he decides he’ll wash tomorrow, then goes ahead and fills the tub. then, finally, Gon freezes, realizing this is where he should probably undress... at least somewhat. likely, he could just have Killua undress, and Gon could help bathe him from outside the tub...
Gon swallows, feeling his face heat. he’s confident he can keep it cool—he’s of course attracted to Killua, but he’s not hopped up on faun juice. but something about it is... still daunting. Gon hasn’t really seen Killua in that state of undress since they were much younger, and it’s true that even in this context nudity isn’t inherently salacious to someone like Gon...
but all the same, the most important thing is that he be there for his friend. if he can focus on that, he certainly won’t misbehave. Gon’s also aware that of course he has some selfish motives in this, but... well.
Gon opens the door, peeking his head out.]
Killua?
The water is hot! The tub should be full in a couple minutes...
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In the meantime, Killua goes to grab some clean clothes and, realizing his bedroom has clothing all over the floor and some food wrappers and just a bunch of miscellaneous trash, he quickly at least shoves most of it into a pile so it's not scattered. He's not super tidy already, but his complete lack of motivation shows too much, he realizes. Of course, Gon would help him clean up, but Killua doesn't want to worry and trouble him even more-- even as he selfishly enjoys all the attention at the same time.
He jumps when Gon calls, grabbing the clean pajamas he got distracted from, as well as a clean towel, and... balking in front of the door, confronted with Gon's face poking out of it, smiling.
The pang of joy washes over him again, so sharp it hurts. Killua finds himself grinning back. ]
You're like a doting housewife.
[ it just sort of. tumbles out. ]
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Yeah?
I guess I’d hope so, [Gon quips back in a chirp, probably hoping to simply get Killua right back.] Better than being a negligent wife...
[Gon leaves the door ajar as he slips back inside the bathroom, still beaming with another little laugh to himself as he loads the hot water up with soap. of course, there isn’t quite bubble bath liquid like when they were back home, but Gon had found some lathering lavender salts that he’d left at Killua’s some time ago.
it makes him realize they’d spent a lot of time together, how many of his things he’s found here that he simply left there—never mind the things that Killua took into his home from Gon’s, which he hasn’t yet encountered...]
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No... he wasn't thinking... dammit, what has he wrought on himself now? Idiot. Stupid Gon. Stupid Gon's stupid adorable laugh warming his stupid heart, augh! ]
Haha... you're such an idiot.
[ Killua's ears are glowing red. Gon's genuine laughter is such a wonderful sound. He'd missed it so much. It takes everything in Killua not to give him another hug when he brushes past Gon into the bathroom, but the awkwardness and embarrassment wins out, especially since he's starting to becoming conscious of the fact he's gonna have to get undressed in front of Gon in just a moment. He can't make it weird.
Dropping off the pajamas and towel on the counter, Killua blinks at the state of the bathroom. It also smells amazing. ]
...huh. No, you're not negligent at all.
Where the hell did you get whatever it is that made the water smell like flowers?
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but still, being told he isn’t negligent is affirming, and makes Gon’s heart flutter while his gut twists in a way that’s both strange and pleasant. Gon leans his elbows against the lip of the claw foot tub, smiling to his friend.]
Using some stuff I got from a market!
The salts are supposed to help with soreness, too. And lavender is supposed to relax you. I think there’s also ground chamomile and stuff!
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Are you saying I need to relax?
[ He huffs, joking-- but he definitely needs to relax. Which is harder to do when he's getting increasingly embarrassed and a little anxious about undressing suddenly. It's almost weirder that Gon isn't going to be in the bath with him. But they won't really fit comfortably... and it would be weird...
Killua clears his throat subtly, trying to calm himself down. ]
A-anyway. Can you turn around or something? I feel weird when you're staring at me and I'm trying to take my pants off or whatever...
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when Killua asks Gon to turn around, his cheeks heat just a smidge, but Gon turns obediently, getting it completely insofar as relating—but not really getting why it's like that now. how weird.]
Weird?
[Gon tilts his head, crossing his arms as he frowns at the wall, raising an eyebrow.]
Well, at least it's not like you're struggling out of a pair of pants with cow legs or something...
[humbling memories come to Gon of trying and failing to get in or out of his shorts more than a handful of times, resulting in Gon falling all over the place, hooves akimbo...]
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[ Killua tries to defend himself and his own equally weird, he's sure, reaction. But at least Gon obliges. He quickly shucks off his shorts and underwear, as he's not wearing anything else, and slides into the bath with a small splash.
The reminder of Gon's gangly cow legs has him smiling, but not meanly. It had been kind of cute... and he'd liked the excuse to take care of Gon and snuggle with him to ease his pain, even if it's probably not very nice that he'd been happy Gon was in pain for that reason. ]
Okay. You can turn around.
...you think you'll get cow legs again?
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Gon hands Killua the wash cloth, and because the room is a little bit warmer with the steamy water going on in the little room, Gon shrugs out of his jacket, neatly folding it beside Killua's haphazardly tossed clothing (which Gon decides to also go ahead and fold). Gon at last leans against the edge of the tub, and is casual enough and unphased enough that he hopes Killua feels a little less awkward.]
I dunno. I assume so?
[Gon tilts his head, eyes rolling thoughtfully.]
They told me I don't have magic again, at the Coven... I wonder if people ever turn into something different, when they come back. I just got used to having hooves, too.
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[ Killua doesn't really care what he turns into, if anything. As long as it's Gon.
The bath really does feel soothing. Now that he's covered up by the water, and he's actually settling down, he feels more comfortable-- and remembers how tired he actually is.
Killua sighs, sinking lower into the water, only his head and the tops of his knees poking up. ]
More importantly for the moment...
What'll you do about your living situation? Obviously you can stay the night here, but I mean after. Since your place is occupied--
Oh. I grabbed some of your stuff. I can give it back to you.
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then with Killua's question, Gon's smile holds, but lessens, somewhat. Gon skirts his fingertips across the surface of the water, watching it ripple outwards. it has a cloudy, semi-opaque quality—a sort of warm periwinkle, from the ground lavender and chammomile.]
I dunno. It doesn't really matter. I'll probably just get another place like that one, or an apartment.
[Gon blinks when Killua mentions his things, eyebrows raising.]
Oh, really? I assumed it all just got thrown away.
[Gon's smile grows again.]
Thanks! It woulda been kind of a pain to start from scratch again.
[Gon reaches for the soap that rests in a caddy to the side of the tub, and dips the cloth into the fragrant water.]
Not that I guess my time's really taken up by much else... I felt like half of what I did last time I was here [still weird to say, since it feels like only a day or two ago,] was recover from changing as it kept happening...
[not totally true, of course; Gon did a lot of odd jobs and things like that to keep busy, too, and was making friends. but it wasn't the same as his life as a Hunter, even if it was certainly more occupying than his studies on Whale Island.]
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[ Another little cottage, or an apartment, huh? Killua had gotten a place near Gon, knowing Gon would like having a yard, though an apartment might have been simpler. Not that the space is much bigger, either way. But there's enough room... at least for two people.
He holds off on saying anything, though he thinks about it pretty seriously, half distracted from the rest of what Gon is saying as he considers the option. It's what he really wants, honestly. But would Gon want that too?
...probably. Gon was always coming over, after all.
Killua watches his hand moving across the water, near his knee. The proximity sends a little tingle down his spine. ]
There wasn't that much of it, but I kept what I could.
Well, hopefully this time if the same thing happens, you'll know what to expect. And if we're Bonded sooner, maybe it'll make the transition easier too.
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What's it feel like? A flu?
—Well, I guess I've never really been sick like that, actually, so I don't even know what that's like...
[Gon blinks.]
Sit up for a sec?
[with Killua submerged like that, Gon can't reach his back. sheesh. but maybe when he's done with that and if Killua wants to sink back into the water, he can wash Killua's hair, if Killua will let him...]
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[ Killua sounds surprised at first, but upon thinking about it for a moment, he can believe it. Gon has a naturally hardy constitution, probably has since he was a baby toddling around Whale Island (what a cute mental image).
He sits up as bidden with a faint grunt, shifting around in the gently splashing water until his back faces Gon. ]
It's kind of uncomfortable... maybe like a flu. The aches and fever come and go, but it's more like... I don't know how to describe it. It makes me feel jittery and it's hard to sleep.
[ He doesn't go into the paranoia and hallucinations at the corners of his eyes recently. Even without a Bond, though, Gon's presence has already helped. Maybe it's just that he's calmer now, and it eases his anxiety. With consistent spell use, as he's tried to keep up with every day, his understanding is it shouldn't have gotten this bad so quickly, but maybe his mental state had really made it worse...
In any case, it'll be a relief to renew their Bond tomorrow. If not only for that reason, but because he really misses being able to tell Gon is there, somewhere in the world around him. He's going to miss that feeling whenever they manage to get home. ]
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[Gon reaches forward, eyes on Killua's back—and he pauses, dark eyes skimming carefully. he can tell that Killua is a little thinner, compared to the last time he'd seen him... Gon wonders if Killua can tell; maybe it was too gradual for Killua to notice, but having just seen Killua hale and healthy just a day or so ago from Gon's perspective, it stands out as stark as Killua's brittle, dry hair. and his dry, ashy skin, normally with a bright, lively undertone of a cool pink.
his eyes catch on the notch of Killua's neck, at the back, where it meets his spine, and unthinkingly, Gon extends his bare hand against it, stroking his hand to the sharp cut of Killua's scapula. Gon tilts his head, and then finally drags the soapy tooth of the towel down Killua's spine, watching how the pearlescent sheen accents Killua's pale flesh, similar in color to the cloudy water.]
You're getting a little skinny, Killua...
[Killua can't see Gon, true, but he doesn't have to to hear the concern in Gon's voice.]
Even though you're still exercising. Do you even have any food in your place, right now?
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He swallows, drawing up his knees to wrap his arms around them. ]
Huh?
[ A beat, before Gon's words actually catch up to him and he remembers to sound annoyed. ]
Of course I have food! I'm not a baby. I can take care of myself, idiot.
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[Gon smiles a bit, though it’s not as though Killua can see it, not does it quite carry in his tone—and he diligently then goes on to continue to rub the soapy warm cloth in slow circles.]
You say that, but...
[Gon tilts his head, pushing some of the silky hairs on the nape of Killua’s neck out of the way to rub away the fatigue; the neglect.]
When I was having a hard time when I got back to Whale Island, I don’t think I could have taken care of myself. Part of why I left in the first place was because I felt confident I could survive on my own abilities—which was true for a while, but...
[Gon rinses away the suds with a clean hand, diligent and steady; patient and slow. somehow, speaking candidly about something he’s never aired out feels easier, talking to someone’s back.]
I didn’t let Mito see it, but I couldn’t do anything for myself. I only got out of bed because I knew I had to. I didn’t help her as much, but just told her that it was because I was focusing on my studies. But if I had been alone, I think I would have just wasted away.
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It's when Gon keeps going that he's really shocked. He'd opened his mouth to argue again, not that Gon can see, but instead falls silent to listen. Really listen, hearing the parts Gon doesn't quite say in his pauses. The parts he'd glimpsed in that terrible dream they'd somehow both seen months ago.
I think I would have just wasted away.
Killua's throat hurts, squeezed tight against the urge to cry, though the tears sting at his eyelids. He swallows roughly, trying to keep his shoulders still so Gon won't see.
It hurts that Gon had reached that point. That he should have realized, that he'd let him go. It hurts Gon hadn't told him. That they'd both been too scared, too scarred after Alluka had healed him-- in body only.
And it hurts, too, that Killua has let himself fall down a similar path even knowing full well how angry Gon would be.
But he's not angry, is he? He doesn't know everything, and Killua has no intention of telling him, but he's sure now Gon wouldn't be angry; he'd be like this, quiet and worried, and sad. It's worse. ]
...I'm glad, then. That you... weren't alone.
[ Killua manages finally, voice small and tight, but less shaky than he'd expected it to come out. ]
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however subtle the expression is on Killua's part, Gon picks up on it slightly. Gon pauses, feeling himself tense as well, for different reasons—an urge to sink forward, rest his cheek against the slick clean skin of Killua's neck and to hug him steady across his shoulders... but Gon resists. for now. had he experienced those two months the same way Killua had, though, he'd probably not have the resolve to not give into that impulse.
it's also now that Gon realizes somehow this has become about himself, and his smile turns a mite fidgety, or apologetic.]
Ah, yeah... but you were. That's what I mean. Not that you are now, of course...
[Gon's sure that Killua's made friends, too—but to most, Killua's friendship can be a slow burn, Gon figures; he recognizes in hindsight that their quick way of bonding had been unusual, and even in this place, there's so few kids around their age.]
What I really meant was, you know... if you didn't have any food or anything, I wouldn't have thought you were just being a baby.
[—ah, right. the good thing is that Gon can cook for him, actually. though what Killua has to cook remains to be seen; probably something basic and easy, but better than nothing.]
Lemme wash your hair. [Gon extends his neck a bit, blinking, looking for Killua's shampoo product.]
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...right.
[ Of course. Killua tries again to quell the urge to let those tears fall, blinking fast, sure he's overreacting. ]
Thanks.
[ Gon will find a bottle of shampoo on a small metal shelf within reach, since the lip of the old-fashioned (for them) tub is too narrow to hold it. Killua doesn't look up, though, even when he feels and hears Gon moving behind him. ]
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