freecshow | [GAME] IC INBOX + OVERFLOW

[ That's such a relief. Just seeing the message from Gon, even if Gon is yelling at him, loosens the tight knot in Killua's throat. ]

coming

[ --is all he replies. He runs all the way home.

The absence in his chest feels stranger and stranger, the closer he gets and the more it stays the same. The Bond is gone. But Gon is still here. For now, that's all that matters.

When Killua bursts through the door a few minutes later, he looks different.

His skin, always incredibly fair, has a strange tone to it now, a pallor that takes on a powdery blue hue rather than his usual cool paleness with its underlying pink. His eyes shine in the dark, a bright, intense blue unbroken by any white. ]

Gon?

[Gon physically startles when he sees Killua—he almost falls off the couch he's waiting on, actually, which is just as well, because Gon springs to his feet.

his mind races immediately, taking in his altered appearance—is this something because of the Cwyld? even in that context, it looks totally unfamiliar—Killua looks like a monster, but... Gon doesn't recognize that, either!!]

Killua!!

[Gon scrambles towards him, and his hands immediately thrust forward to grab onto Killua's horns, eyes wide—and he pulls Killua's head down, inspecting him roughly (on accident), both curious and alarmed. he then arranges Killua's head back up, blinking his wide eyes. he grasps each of Killua's cheeks, staring into his bright, strange eyes.]

What happened!? What—why do you look like that?? What is this? Do you feel okay? Did someone take you again??? I couldn't feel where you went, so—!

[so Gon has no idea. it hits him, suddenly, how scary it is for them to be unbonded, given those events. so much for having felt over it. Gon's voice is getting as watery as his eyes.]

[ Killua gasps when Gon grabs him, a little bit in pain but mostly in surprise, shocked to feel something he's never had before being yanked. The horns are very small, barely poking up through his tousled hair, and apparently very tender.

When Gon smooshes his cheeks and stares into his eyes so intently, Killua actually looks... unsettled. A little lost. He blinks slowly. ]

I... don't know.

I thought it was a dream.

[ But apparently, it's not.

Suddenly, Killua moves, wrapping his arms around Gon and pulling him forward against his chest. Still no sense of connection from the Bond, but at least Gon feels familiar against him. Killua presses his face into the crook of Gon's neck and shoulder, hugging him tight enough to ache. ]

[Gon is a little startled by Killua’s sudden hug, and though his emotions don’t quell, they don’t escalate, either—it’s grounding, in a way, and Gon turns his head to cuddle into Killua’s soft, fluffy hair, liberally breathing in Killua’s scent. Gon’s arms tense to give Killua a squeeze as Killua tucks against him, even as Killua’s hug kind of crushes him. it hurts, but Gon doesn’t react. or mind, really.

after a moment, Gon does gather Killua’s face back up into both of his palms, guiding his face so that he’s looking at him again.]

Let’s go to the Coven. They should know what’s going on, right? And...

[Gon takes another confused (slightly frantic) once over on Killua.]

...I mean... in this place... You’re one thing or the other, right? So... we should be able to Bond again, right? We can make an appointment after to reinstate it tomorrow.

[ Killua clearly doesn't want to let go, but he allows Gon to pull back enough to look into his face again. Gon looks worried, but strangely, Killua isn't anymore. They're together; that was all he'd been afraid of, was losing him. Now, he stares back into Gon's face, eyes drifting down to his best friend's concerned little frown. The urge hits him, suddenly, to lean in and--

Killua blinks. ]

No. I don't want to go right now.

[ It spills out before he thinks better of it, uncharacteristically; he's already shaking his head as Gon speaks. But after a moment, Killua pauses to consider what was actually said. ]

I told you. I don't know. I had a dream, but then-- it's not a dream now, right? I had a dream about the mirror, and a party, and these horned guys from the boats. The ones who came in on that shipwrecked vessel a couple weeks ago.

[ He pauses again, looks down at his hand, finally releasing Gon. ]

I don't know how it happened, but I think I'm turning into one of them.

[Gon blinks when Killua shoots Gon's suggestion down like that, but it's not the first time Killua's given him pushback for that kind of thing. but considering it's about their Bond...

well, it doesn't matter. they could always address it tomorrow. it seems like Killua's more preoccupied with processing this, which is probably a better first step to jumping right into trying to find resolution without answers...]

Oh!

[Gon blinks, his ears swiveling upwards.]

Yeah!

[Gon pushes back Killua's bangs, peering at the nubs on his forehead. they look familiar. like when Gon's horns were just growing in. not that they'd gotten much bigger...]

I wonder how that happens, though... I guess magic could do that? Transmutation, maybe? Maybe magic can undo Bonds, too...?

[Gon's a bit preoccupied himself, not catching himself for the way his expression falls a little. but then another thought thankfully distracts Gon, and he instead looks thoughtful, brows furrowing as he tilts his head a bit.]

But then... why target you specifically? Just like the cult organization thing?

[aaaand now he looks a bit cross, his teeth setting in a clench of his jaw, the skin between his lip and his nose twitching a bit in a subtle, stifled snarl.]

It's like this world knows I can't do anything if it messes with you...

[well NOT FOR LONG. Gon's gonna get all kinds of weird tattoos and start punching everyone in the dick immediately.]

I have no idea. I don't think it has anything to do with the Cwyld. It doesn't feel... like that.

[ Killua also reaches up to touch the tiny horns poking up from the sides of his forehead, brows furrowing in annoyed confusion. He doesn't move any further way from Gon, though, instinctively wanting to remain close to him -- close enough he's definitely still in Gon's personal space.

That comment (complaint) makes Killua blink, and the heat rises in his cheeks. ]

What are you talking about? I doubt this has anything to do with you, idiot.

I know it doesn't have anything to do with me directly! [Gon whines, and his hands follow Killua's, brushing his hands over the horns as well. this time more gently. curious, and exanimate.]

What do we do...

[Gon's expression falls with worry again. probably nothing, at this exact moment.]

Do you feel okay, Killua? Does anything feel different besides the Bond thing, and your body?

[ It feels weird. Killua winces a little despite himself, not in pain so much as surprise. He didn't expect it to feel like anything, but it does; Gon's hands are warm, and the horns are a little sore around the base, and sensitive.

Killua waves him away. ]

I feel fine. Weird, but fine. Whatever happened, I don't think it's hurting me. It's just...

I guess I'm like you now. It feels different, sure. But it's fine.

[GAME] IC INBOX + OVERFLOW

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