This Won't End Well

18: How To Start World War III From The Comforts of Your Own Home

Gon and Killua walked up the apartment complex stairs, Gon still teasing Killua about his sub-par driving skills. They reached both of their apartments, just standing in the hallway.

"I had a lot of fun tonight," Gon said through a smile. "Even though you almost totaled my car," He laughed, earning a scoff from Killua.

"I did warn you, and you still decided to give me the keys. So really, who's fault was it?" Killua quipped, leaning against his doorway.

"Um- yours? You were the one driving, after all. And we only almost crashed because you were staring at me," Gon pointed out, wiggling his eyebrows up and down implicatively.

Killua scoffed and rolled his eyes. "You're imagining things. Did you hit your head when we spun out?"

"Mm, right," Gon sarcastically cooed.

Killua gave a pitiful mix of a scoff and a laugh and shook his head. "Night, Gon," He said while opening his door.

"Goodnight, Killua," Gon smiled, watching Killua retreat into his apartment. As soon as he was out of view, Gon leaned his head back against the wall and smiled to himself. He felt like squealing like a little girl. He hid his head in his hands, his palms being able to feel the heat in his cheeks.

He pushed off the wall and turned to his apartment door, taking his keys and unlocking it. He opened the door, still smiling to himself, and waltzed into the kitchen, practically floating on air.

"Had a nice night, did we?" Kurapika asked, sipping a mug of black coffee and completing paperwork at the kitchen counter. Ah, the life of an insomniac with insatiable workaholism. Gon's smile dropped instantly when he heard Kurapika's droning voice.

"Yeah, actually I did," Gon stated, his voice low. "Not that you actually care," He grumbled under his breath.

"What did you say?" Kurapika questioned, setting down the mug in his hand and looking at Gon, challenging him to say it louder.

"Nothing," Gon scoffed, brushing Kurapika off.

"Gon," Kurapika sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb. "We need to talk."

"Finally, we agree on something," Gon muttered, walking to the opposite side of the counter from Kurapika and leaning against it. "You wanted to talk, so talk. I'm listening."

"Look, I'm really happy you have a new friend and stuff, especially while you're going through such a rough break-up. But have you really thought this through? Don't you think the things you and Killua are doing are way too similar to what you used to do with Retz? Are you just using Killua to get over-"

"Kurapika. Don't you dare finish that sentence," Gon snapped, looking at Kurapika with eyes narrowed and teeth gritted. He was beyond tempted to reach across the counter and strangle the life out of his irritating roommate.

"It's true, though, isn't it?" Kurapika prodded, shooting Gon a stone-cold expression. In that moment, the only thing he cared about was being right. "You saw the chance to distract yourself from feeling like shit, and you took it. Simple as that. Can't say I blame you; I would have done the same thing, probably. But at least own up to it," Kurapika chastised. He always knew exactly what to say in an argument to get under Gon's skin, and everyone else's for that matter. It was a dark talent of his.

"I'm not owning shit. Especially when it's not true," Gon fumed, trying his best not to lose his composure and raise his voice at the impetuous blonde. "Just because I hang out with Killua every day and he helps me take my mind off of these shitty feelings I have, does not mean I'm using him."