Speak of the Devil // COMPLETED ✔

Better The Devil Gon Knows

It started with Killua waking up to find Gon still on his bed , only rather than finding Gon reading as he normally would, Killua was instead met with Gon's wolfish eyes on him like ants on honey.

Killua closed his eyes and pretended he was still asleep, but it was too late. He slapped his hands over his face as Gon said, "Good morning."

"Stop, I probably have drool on my face," Killua said, scrubbing at his cheeks and mouth. He flopped his arms down. His shirt was damp with sweat, and he could thank Gon's body-heat for that.

"You look good."

Killua slapped an arm up, searching for Gon's face to shove it off the bed. Gon went down cackling and flailing.

As Monday commenced and their 8AMs began, Killua found himself smiling for no reason at his notebook. He felt giddy , like he could spin around the nearest lamppost and call himself Mary Poppins. Embarrassed by his own lack of self-control, Killua covered his smile behind his palm, fidgeting with his hair, his earring, and tried desperately to focus on his lecture and all of the readings that went out the window the second Gon kissed him the previous day.

When Killua left lecture, Gon was still occupied in class by Ikalgo and a last-minute question for Killua's grandfather. Killua waited out in the hall as, slowly but surely, the class filtered out.

Hisoka, ever the fashion icon, stepped out in bright red latex pants (that fit a bit too tight, might he add) and an embroidered, denim jacket. On his heels was Kurapika, who looked far less hostile than Killua last saw them.

"Hisoka, Kurapika," Killua said, surprised.

Hisoka stepped aside from the crowd. It took Kurapika a second longer to process what they were seeing.

"Killua," Kurapika said at last, startling when someone brushed behind them. They crossed the hall to him. "How are you?"

"Great." Killua glanced at Hisoka, but addressed Kurapika as he said, "How are you?"

He could see the gears turning behind Kurapika's eyes. "Better," they said. "I start seminary next semester."

"Cool. Super cool."

"Yeah. Anyway, I have to meet Leorio, so I'll talk to you later," Kurapika said, and waved as they stepped away.

Hisoka lingered as Kurapika passed. Killua raised an eyebrow at him and said, "Character development?"

Hisoka raised one polished nail and said, "Do not mistake the long game for character development. I am a devotee."

"Ah."

Killua risked meeting Hisoka's eyes and loathed what he saw there. Skepticism, eternal judgement. Killua's ears went hot at the attention and, needing something to fidget, went for his earring. It brought unnecessary attention there that Killua hated even more.

"Well, I'm just waiting for Gon. So."

"Of course. I would say ' don't do anything I wouldn't do, ' but I would do everything." Hisoka let out a wistful sigh, arms crossed.

"'Do as I say and not as I do', perhaps," Killua offered.

Hisoka wagged a finger of acknowledgement, stepping away. "Precisely. Carry on."

Killua snickered as Hisoka left the building and, ultimately, Killua to his own devices while he waited for Gon.

Killua paced the silent hall from the TA's office back to the front doors. The rain had ceased and, in the sugary post-summer haze, Killua peered out to a quad full of shorts and t-shirts, tank-tops and dresses. When Killua had opened their dorm window that morning, Gon had opted for his usual hoodie, sans scarf for once.