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trypanophobic) wrote2020-02-25 09:06 pm
trypanophobic) wrote2020-02-25 09:06 pm
BL ANIME AU, BASICALLY
[You know what, maybe Blue and Killua had gotten a little caught up in their hubris here. Aside from where their gym activities intersected, the two didn't really interact much—there were curious, stolen glances from across halls and classrooms, but they'd never really spoken much, despite the two of them holding their own polar, lofty positions. And one of their matched positions at this school was in anything athletic. In these intersections, they finally talked—and it was a lot of shit-talking.
Killua didn't consider Blue a rival, exactly. Not even in sports. He couldn't lift as much as Killua, and was weaker in general—but he was pretty fantastic in cardio based stuff, and not many people could actually match Killua in much of anything. So it was fun to antagonize him. Killua never challenged him to stuff Killua knew he'd win; that just wasn't fun.
The school was more into their perceived rivalry than anyone. Swooning schoolgirls and nosy, rowdy schoolboys all had their own opinions about Killua Zoldyck, the mysterious transfer student who'd appeared out of nowhere to steal Blue's thunder. Not that Killua really had; the Oaks had deep roots (ha) in this city, but so did the Zoldyck's by proxy of some other big name ties—giving the two directly opposite reputations.
It was all rumor and hearsay, but it sounded like the Zoldyck's were part of the mob, if not a whole famiglia themselves. Some people joked that it was like Killua was the devil with his rumored roots, and Blue was an angel, with all the advances in science the Oak's had contributed. They were a charitable, hyper intelligent family, too. But the joke was that Blue wasn't much of an angel, himself—while not unfriendly quite outright, he certainly rubbed plenty of people the wrong way. But he was too dazzling for it to make a dent in his popularity.
Killua decided that Blue sort of annoyed him, that way—but embarrassingly, it pulled him in, too. He was curious about what that kind of kid would be like, even if he already had a strong, biased theory. Just some douchey, pretty boy with a lot of money... but then, so was Killua, and he was buried to his neck in his own skeletons. All the same, Killua wasn't really magnetized enough to talk to him like a normal person.
But sports? Different story.
And Blue was competitive as hell—the two had actually sort of gotten off path, so confident they could jog back onto the trail before their classmates had even caught up after their private race. But as luck would have it, it began to storm quite badly—Killua worried it may have been a monsoon, actually.
So now, their uniforms miserably clung to their bodies, Killua's standing under an old stone bridge with Blue, scowling as water drips from his sagging hair, a darker gray with its saturation.]
Tch, stupid rain! You'd think the damn teacher would've known about something like that before letting us run track outside!
[the weather had been so nice, too...]
I was close, too...
Killua didn't consider Blue a rival, exactly. Not even in sports. He couldn't lift as much as Killua, and was weaker in general—but he was pretty fantastic in cardio based stuff, and not many people could actually match Killua in much of anything. So it was fun to antagonize him. Killua never challenged him to stuff Killua knew he'd win; that just wasn't fun.
The school was more into their perceived rivalry than anyone. Swooning schoolgirls and nosy, rowdy schoolboys all had their own opinions about Killua Zoldyck, the mysterious transfer student who'd appeared out of nowhere to steal Blue's thunder. Not that Killua really had; the Oaks had deep roots (ha) in this city, but so did the Zoldyck's by proxy of some other big name ties—giving the two directly opposite reputations.
It was all rumor and hearsay, but it sounded like the Zoldyck's were part of the mob, if not a whole famiglia themselves. Some people joked that it was like Killua was the devil with his rumored roots, and Blue was an angel, with all the advances in science the Oak's had contributed. They were a charitable, hyper intelligent family, too. But the joke was that Blue wasn't much of an angel, himself—while not unfriendly quite outright, he certainly rubbed plenty of people the wrong way. But he was too dazzling for it to make a dent in his popularity.
Killua decided that Blue sort of annoyed him, that way—but embarrassingly, it pulled him in, too. He was curious about what that kind of kid would be like, even if he already had a strong, biased theory. Just some douchey, pretty boy with a lot of money... but then, so was Killua, and he was buried to his neck in his own skeletons. All the same, Killua wasn't really magnetized enough to talk to him like a normal person.
But sports? Different story.
And Blue was competitive as hell—the two had actually sort of gotten off path, so confident they could jog back onto the trail before their classmates had even caught up after their private race. But as luck would have it, it began to storm quite badly—Killua worried it may have been a monsoon, actually.
So now, their uniforms miserably clung to their bodies, Killua's standing under an old stone bridge with Blue, scowling as water drips from his sagging hair, a darker gray with its saturation.]
Tch, stupid rain! You'd think the damn teacher would've known about something like that before letting us run track outside!
[the weather had been so nice, too...]
I was close, too...
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[Whatever; even if it only resulted in a note to home from the dean, it was still totally unacceptable! And this guy thought he could just get off easy and act so casual about it! Ugh, talk about privilege, and this was a rich kid school overflowing with it.]
Fine, I'm betting the weather'll let up enough for us to make a break for it soon, anyway. No way a sudden storm like this would last that long.
[...In the meantime, it would be really boring, but he doesn't know how to pass the time. He'd never really talked to this guy before, and he's pretty reluctant to do so...... At least, that's what he tells himself. But on more than one occasion, he's found himself passing glances towards him in curiosity, wondering this thing or that.]
[He's not really that into nosing about his personal life, and he doesn't know if he'd even really want to know the gory details behind the rumors...... But it's not like they have anything else to do to pass the time but ...talk.]
...How come a guy like you turns all the athletics clubs down, anyway? It's not like you'd even necessarily have to join a team sport, if you don't wanna be bothered with that. Not that I'd want you joining the polo team; I bet you suck with horses.
[He can tell a not-animal person when he sees one, thanks.]
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[Killua scoffs, looking a little sullen. It was mutual, though—Killua didn't like animals very much, and they were pretty indifferent to him.]
I'm just not really into sports like that, I guess. Plus, could you imagine how annoying people would be with some of that stuff?
[Killua lifts his palms, rolling his eyes.]
"Ahh, oh my god, did you hear that Killua joined the archery club?? He's suspiciously good at it, too!" That kinda crap—nooo thanks.
[...implying that what, all the stuff that wasn't stuff that would incriminate him was boring? Perhaps. Killua folds his arms behind his head.]
My parents want me to pick something like that up, though—if not sports, then language or music, or something... so I'll probably have to pick something eventually.
[He'd been a part of some clubs at his previous school, but...
...Killua was suspiciously dispassionate, since then. It's not like the students here would have any other Killua to compare this one to, but he's been pretty good at disguising it anyway as just aloof, teenaged stuff.]
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[But Blue doubts a coddled brat like that would know! ..Not that a lot of the kids at this school would...]
[He makes a face at the example brought up, brow creasing.] You're the one that goes around being all surly and acting like intimidating people is fun, and all that. You can't complain when people actually take you seriously!
[Was it serious? ...Blue was of two minds, about that; he wasn't really sure what to think. On the one hand, Killua seemed so blasé about it that it seemed like a joke to him, but on the other, there had been some pretty good points made by the other kids discussing it, there sure were a lot of rumors associated with the Zoldyck name...]
[He's almost surprised that Killua brings his parents up so directly in light of that, but Blue's eyes lid, and he decides to take the opportunity.] Hmph. Even mobster parents are just parents in the end, I guess.
Doesn't seem hard to pick something, though. You don't have any real hobbies? Other than losing to me in track, I mean.
[Blue grins ear to ear.]
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[It was totally true, though—Killua had no friends. He'd met his best friend, now hundreds of miles away, pretty earnestly and eagerly—he'd taken Killua a little differently than most people did, and that prompted Killua to open up, a little. But now, his heart felt strangely closed off; he was still licking his wounds over the loss. So he was lonely, but it was his own fault. But Killua just saw it as this: he just wasn't for everyone.
To Blue's comment about mobster parents, Killua shoots him a sort of pouting glare, then glances off, crossing his arms.]
If you get too relaxed, I'm gonna replace your spot in track in no time. I've always been the top.
[Killua tilts his head again, holding his chin.]
...Hobbies...
[His eyes lid sardonically. Nothing that felt too applicable. School life was so pedestrian.]
I like games. Not just like, video-games or whatever. I also skate, and I like fighting, too. [whatever THAT meant.]
Don't wanna be stuck in a room with a bunch of stupid nerds, though. Everything else doesn't really apply, except maybe wrestling. But...
[Killua doesn't want to say out loud he'd probably get in trouble for getting out of line.]
D-dunno if... that's for me...
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[Not that he didn't wonder about that, either. ....Blue, despite all his popularity, his hangers-on, his acquaintances- didn't really have anyone at this school that he'd call a close friend. Not the way that he'd had back home..... But it wasn't like anyone could be a friend like that, he thought. He didn't let himself open up, didn't let himself hope. All these vapid kids wouldn't be the type to pour his heart out to, anyway.]
[Annoyed, he shoots Killua another nasty look, but shrugs the threat off.] We'll see about that! You talk a big game but you haven't managed it yet. Anyway, track isn't even my main sport.... Not much to brag about. Video games aren't a real hobby either.... Everyone plays those, gimme a break! [Skating sounded fun, but Blue doesn't think he would do it more than casually, every so often, maybe to take his dogs out. He gives Killua a long look at the mention of fighting, but he doesn't really want to ask.... This guy'll probably just be avoidant about it again!]
What's wrong with wrestling? You're too puny for it, anyway. [So was Blue, but that's fine! He knows what he's good at!]
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[Killua shoots a scowl at Blue, turning with a defensive set of his jaw. This haughty pretty boy talks like the type who's never had his ass kicked...]
I'm average height for my age, the men in my family are tall, and I'm fit as fuck! I could probably bench more than anyone else at this stupid school! They probably couldn't keep as much as a four pack if they tried...
[Like his parents would allow for anything less. The Zoldyck's reputation in this country were all just shadowy, sketchy whispers—at home, they were more well known for the deadly forces that they were. Which was annoying, because it meant that Killua was basically tossed into a pretty strict body training routine before he was barely 12.]
Anyway, what's with you? You asked. What're you tryin' to do, huh, measure me up? You think I give a crap about impressing you? Cuz you're an Oak, or whatever?
[Killua's posture slumps in a slouch, clearly put off; his arms are crossed and his body distance is tense, his tired eyes scathing on Blue, but his tone sounds bruised.]
All you elite yuppie types are the same... Quit messing with me.
[Killua's arms tighten a little, and there's a cold, lonely feeling in the pit of his stomach. He misses Gon. He was a broke weirdo from some island, but got into Killua's elite school on grants and scholarships for his unusual, abundant talents, and his dad was some notorious outlaw type.
No one came close to that, and no one could understand Killua.]
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[He probably really was used to being told he was good at whatever.... Rolling his eyes, Blue slides off his perch on the stone, returning the glower. Like he was just gonna stand here and take his attitude. No wonder no one wanted to talk to him.]
The hell is your problem, anyway!? You're the one who came in here, acting too cool to even talk to anyone, and then gets mad when people're put off! You're the one acting all standoffish, what're you so put off about? This is what you wanted, right!?
[Blue scowls, eyes narrowing into scrutiny. Man, this kid pissed him off...... Did he think people just flocked to you because you were rich and powerful or whatever!? Everyone here came from somewhere where they were someone..... Having such a high and mighty attitude, he's one to talk.]
[Turning away again to glare into the rain, he huffs.] Whatever, I'm gonna go find my way back. You can stay here and sulk for as long as you want.
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And I'm not mad people are put off; I get it! I don't think I'm too cool for anyone, I—
It's just...
[Damn it, why does Killua feel so upset? This is embarrassing. He doesn't care what this kid thinks, so why is he trying to explain himself? Maybe it's a pent up desire to be seen, and maybe he's a little disappointed that he can't seem to connect with other people. He does still think Blue's a jerk, but it's not like friendlier types had much better luck. Killua didn't snap at them, but...]
Don't be an idiot. Just stay here. I don't wanna get in trouble if you get lost, or hurt yourself, or whatever. [Since Killua's reputation isn't...great.... He can hear the rumors now. And anyway, Blue is puny.] I can go instead, it's fine.
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[The rest of Killua's arguments fall on deaf ears, since Blue doesn't really believe him. The way this guy came off.... He definitely just couldn't be bothered with other people; what other reason could there be, with the way he acted, always jerking people around?]
[Blue isn't sure why he feels so frustrated, either. This dumb kid.... He just rolled in one day and thought he'd show Blue up, was that it!? And worst of all was that it had worked, and Blue had found himself so frustrated with having to actually push himself to match the other boy in every arena.]
[...He'd almost felt a sort of burning drive to do so, every time they met.... Sometimes, he couldn't even stop thinking about it. About this stupid kid he barely even knew.]
[He turns his back again, stepping out towards the rainfall, and scoffs.] Yeah, right! You'll just ditch me here, and go goof off somewhere, if you're the one to go out.
Smell you later, loser! You're not tricking me! [He calls, starting to jog out into the mud and slippery underbrush. It was a crappy piece of forestland to be stuck by, but the next real street over wasn't too far... Blue was sure he could make it on his own!]
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[Killua calls after him, straightening up indignantly.]
If I wanted to ditch you, I'd just ditch you! Why would I bother wasting the energy being sneaky??
[Killua stiffens as he watches Blue go, and is immediately unsure of his footing versus the terrain. He just sets his jaw, sort of stubbornly glued into place, waiting for the other shoe to drop; he clearly can't make Blue do anything (he's used to interfacing with boys as stubborn as he is, apparently) he doesn't want to do, and Killua just wanted to offset their tension by removing himself from the situation...
But if Blue makes it out of his sight, maybe Killua will just wait out the rain and get back to school late. Or... stalk him... to make sure he's good? For some reason, that seems like the right thing to do, even though they don't get along...]
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[So why...? Well. Whatever, he decides-- that's his problem, and Blue doesn't want to deal with it anymore. That's what he tells himself as he climbs through rocky woods terrain, stepping over slippery stones and extricating himself from branches-- the rainfall lately has made the forest floor a trap of obstacles and pitfalls, but Blue thinks he's got plenty enough hiking experience to get through it just fine on his own, rain or no--]
[That is, until a fallen log that he's misjudged as stable sudden rolls out and collapses through from under him, the rotted wood catching his foot and sending him tumbling halfway down a hilly slope, shrieking as he tumbles through the muddy fallen leaves.]
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And without thinking, Killua's out there in a flash—he runs, despite the terrain and climate, but manages due to more links to his unsavory roots. Not every kid his age has had this sort of absurd militant training for who knows why.
And speaking of that...
It sort of feels like a hunt.
Not that Killua's done that—though people in his family, while not formally hitmen of any kind, have certainly done that sort of thing. And it's weirdly kind of exhilarating, senses honed as he urgently keeps them sharp to Blue.
It's not hard to find him—it's not like Blue could have gotten far at such a leisurely log, and he didn't stray too far from the path they'd used to get to where they were, anyway. The fact that he's down the slope, rolled and dirty, makes something in Killua lurch—he jumps, carefully sliding down the slope on the backs of his heels, managing his balance with his hand.]
Blue!
[He crouches, narrowing his eyes as he leans side to side. If Blue was okay, he'd be up by now, right?]
Shit, are you okay?
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—I- I’m fine, I just slid a little! [He awkwardly, hurriedly tries to brush Killua off, even though he’s gritting his teeth from the pumping rush of panic, adrenaline, and pain making itself known. Why, why’d this have to happen now...!]
[Later on, he’ll be thankful he wasn’t trapped alone in the cold, rainy woods, without his phone or any of his animals. But at the moment.... The very last person he’d ever want to be around was staring down at him, probably thinking of how pathetic he was. He was surprised Killua wasn’t laughing, but maybe he was just waiting to rub it in.] Tch, the undergrowth around here must have collapsed in the rain— AH!
[Another pained yelp, this time from trying to roll himself up onto his feet; he collapses down again as his face twists in pain, hand instinctively shooting to his ankle. Crap.... Was it twisted?] Ahhh, this stupid rain, if it hadn’t started pouring...!
casually references how oli so randomly broke his leg
More like if you hadn't just run off...
[Seriously. Blue could have just walked, first of all. Second of all, Killua offered to go while Blue waited out the rain!! But Killua doesn't blame Blue for not trusting him—even if Killua didn't have a weird reputation, they didn't know each other. And they didn't get along.]
Jeez, just—I know it's easier said than done, but just try to relax. If you're all freaked out and pissed off, you're not gonna do yourself any favors.
[There's a very specific reason why Killua says this. Normally, he'd just walk Blue back... But with the terrain all fucked up as it is, that won't do. Without any further prompting—nor asking for permission, Killua crouches a bit more lowly, and manages to sort of fight Blue up into his arms, lifting him from the ground with ease that comes from not only strength, but experience. Because Blue fell down a slick hill, there's no way that Killua can go back up to where they'd come down—it'd be a bit of an off-path detour, but Killua's got a good compass in him.
Once his posture is righted and sturdy, now accommodating so much weight balanced at his feet, Killua begins to walk. And yes, obviously!! It's embarrassing! But it literally can't be helped. Their phones are back at the school, and that would create a huge scene that would probably be more unbearable, anyway.]
smh.............
[Blue grumbles, already trying to struggle himself up again, gripping onto a nearby stone and leaning on his good foot. He winces, still scraped up.... But it's still slippery, and he's having trouble getting good grip.]
[He's going to snap at Killua again- about telling him to calm down, about calling him freaked out- but before he can do so, the other boy is suddenly down next to him and grabbing him up into his arms, like it's totally effortless and normal. Blue lets out (another) ungraceful yelp as he's hauled up, squirming with panic and then wincing when that, too, turns out to be a bad idea.] W-wh-what are you doing--!?
[His face flushes brilliantly, although hopefully in the soaking wet of the cool rain, his face is already pink enough to hide it, but his eyes glower up into Killua's with outrage, hands fisting in the collar of his shirt- at least half for purchase.]
I don't need you to-- carry me, put me down, you weirdo....!
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Killua understands, of course, that Blue is embarrassed—he would be too, which is why he isn’t mirroring that behavior to the best of his ability. Blue is clearly a proud person, and so is Killua... so he’s gotta be cool about it. Not that he’s sure he likes Blue, and they certainly don’t get along, but what the hell is he going to do? Letting him drag himself all the way back to the school was a fate far worse than this, as uncomfortable as it was...
And it’s distracting, really, how the physical comfort of the heat from Blue’s body is a balm in the sudden cold.]
I know it’s uncomfortable, but there’s nothing else we can do, [Killua finishes, glancing his dark eyes down to Blue as he carries him. Someone in need is always a good way for Killua to plug into his stoicism, but his face flushes, heart racing. Damn it, what the hell.]
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['Like this' being..... so unexpectedly careful.... This brutish, rude boy and his unexpected show of care has Blue completely off-guard, and he doesn't quite know how to handle it. His mind races, trying to think of some reason Killua could have to not only help him, but to... handle him like this...]
[Was he just trying to embarrass him?? Maybe he hoped some of the other kids would see him, and start making fun of him for it. Maybe he intended to take him somewhere weird...! Blue seizes up, thinking of this, and grips tight over Killua's shirt as he stares up into surprisingly deep and open eyes, and feels himself creeping with heat. What the...!?] Y-you-- where are you intending to carry me off to, anyway!? You can't just do as you please!
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[Killua's voice spikes with incredulousness for an implication that hopefully isn't there. He also feels a little well of something akin to anxiety through his chest as Blue's grasp knots in the wet fabric of his shirt.]
I'm taking us back to the school, you idiot!! You need someone to look at your ankle. If I was doing as I pleased, I wouldn't be putting up with your attitude right now!
[Killua huffs through his nostrils, seeming to calm down, but his expression is certainly ornery again.]
Be glad I don't just toss you like a bag of sticks and go get myself some hot coco.
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[He could keep arguing, even if just for the sake of appearances, but he realizes he isn't too sure whether he could safely get himself back to the school like this, and Killua's threat to dump him and run has him faltering.] Y-you....
[He shudders out an annoyed sound, and irritably glares out and away, because that's the last, obstinate thing he can do.]
You could just... support my left side, or something, lemme lean on your shoulder or something..... [Although that would undoubtedly be way slower than the pace they're moving at now...]
[How was this pipsqueak managing to carry him so steadily, anyway!? ...His arms were way stronger than Blue thought....]
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[Killua almost wants to make a reassuring "no homo" joke, but it can't be worked in casually enough. Also, fuck Blue. No jokes for him.
Killua just focuses on his path, the weight of his steps, and the anchor of Blue clinging onto him; it always felt like it was angry and incredulous, at first, but the way his hold has remained is cluing him in beyond that.
Killua tries not to, by the same token, watch Blue's sour expression as he turns away. Focus, focus, focus.]
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[They're in a standoffish standoff, it seems. Both their scowling attempts at overblown indifference don't do the trick very well, but it at least allows them to settle into a contemptuous silence.... for the time being, anyway. Blue gives in to Killua's dismissal and Killua gives in to Blue's sour grapes about it all, which at least blesses the rest of their trek with a lack of further argument.]
[....That is, until they begin to near school grounds. Blue squirms nervously, not wanting to be seen by any of their peers; and gripping the shoulder of Killua's shirt, tugs at him, once again ornery.]
Hey, we're close enough, now! Y-you can let me down...
[Even if the school clinic was still quite a bit away.... But whatever! He's fine!]
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He swallows as his shirt is pulled, then stops, lowering a shoulder as he carefully puts Blue down, assisting his stance as he's let onto his feet.
Most of the way, anyway. But indeed, Killua's still got a tight hold on him around his waist.]
You still can't walk on that, but we can do this, now. It's not all muddy.
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[--Although that hold remaining around his waist makes his mouth turn in a small, furtive frown, making his stomach twist a little.]
Tch, fine, just-- help me hobble over there, then. [More of a hop, really- he can't even rest his weight for a second on his other ankle, and he hisses in pain when he even just tries to let it down for a moment. That idea is quickly discarded, which relegates him to hopping like a rabbit as Killua leads him slowly across the grounds.]
[It doesn't take long for them to cross the paths of other students, and when they do, he fights best he can to fight down the redness in his face, instead defiant and annoyed. Soon enough, they cross paths with a teacher who- seeing their muddy, soaked, clearly distressed state- quickly calls a campus security guard to help them get a ride over to the campus clinic. The hustle and bustle takes a while to sort, since their teacher has to be notified and they of course want to question the two on how things got to this point......]
[Once they're at last settled in there, some of Blue's friends have come running to check in; the both of them will have to answer later for why they ran off, a school official warns, but Killua is allowed to slink off to his dorm after a quick check-over, while Blue is kept to keep his ankle iced for a while. Blue shoots him a look, across the throng gathered around him- lips bitten, cheeks flushed- and then huffily, turns away again.]
[That's the last they see of each other, for a few days.]
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While Blue goes red, Killua stares at the curious, scandalized students with an icy deadpan, causing a lot of their murmurs to nervously clam up. He can't help but wonder what exactly the rumors are going to be, though. Killua dragged off his rival athlete and beat the tar out of him?
When Killua's relieved from the questioning and the once-over, Killua does catch Blue's look—it makes his stomach clench in a way that concerns him, but also feels him with a weirdly hollow, bitter feeling.
School just isn't for him. What a pain in the ass.]