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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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[That familiar voice speaks up, suddenly way too close to Killua; beside him, just a couple feet away, Blue leans his bike against one of the stands as he digs a dollar bill out to stick into the machine, and digs around for some change.] If you don't know what to get, just get water. That's the safest bet, I figure.
[He jabs a finger into one of the water buttons, and waits for it to be dispensed with a loud CLUNK.]
What'd you get on the history quiz?
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Killua's eyes widen and he visibly startles. He's normally so much more aware of his surroundings...! What the hell? He flushes with embarrassment at getting caught off guard, then rolls his eyes at Blue's advice. Once Blue gets his water, Killua, because he's a trash person, feeds the machine and goes for strawberry Calpico.]
An A. The curriculum here is really similar to my last school, and we covered some of that stuff already the previous semester.
[Hands way more tense than Killua's expression is letting on, he twists the cap on the neck of his beverage.]
What about you?
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Hmph. Same for me-- the grade, I mean. I think the questions were too easy, she was probably just testing to see who actually read the chapter.
[Which Blue did, because it never took long anyway, and he was laid up lately with nothing to do because of his ankle. Stupid ankle.... He was fine now! Why won't they just let him back to polo practice....]
[Blue takes a swig of water and swings his glance back around to Killua as he fiddles with his own drink. He was acting kind of weird.... His eyes dart to the skateboard resting against his calf.] --Huh? You ride those things? [He tilts his head in gesture, gaze stuck on the board.] Don't they get on your back about it? I can't even ride my bike around the walkways.
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[Killua tilts his head a little, swallowing his first sip of his beverage.]
They're less uptight about it after hours. Plus, you know, they're afraid of me. They'd still get pissed if I rode it around when it was still high traffic or whatever, though.
[Not that it always stopped him...
That and... Killua's pretty sure they don't like the imagery for their school. But it's a bunch of rich little pricks anyway, used to getting their way.]
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[....Speaking of the imagery, Killua really did fit that stereotypical image of the badboy rebel kid, didn't he? For some reason Blue finds it a little amusing and... well-- he shoves the rest of the thought down right away.]
...Anyway, you looked like you were in a bad mood. I was wondering if they'd said something to you just now. [Carefully eying him from across his water bottle, Blue shrugs.] Or was it some kids talkin' crap again?
[Hmm, is he being too nosy? Caring too much? Maybe he should just mind his business, but then again.... He'd sort of been waiting for this kind of minute to talk to him again, right?]
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Nah, [Killua declares casually, shrugging a shoulder.] S'just my face, mostly.
[Of course, Killua had been brooding about something—it was always something, but it wasn't like Killua was going to sit people down and detail the suppressive, exhaustive bullet-point list of his too dramatic existence. Most people wouldn't believe it—which used to be funny. But after having a friend like Gon, and having...sort of lost him (sort of), it hits different. It's not funny anymore.
Killua adjusts his calf against the flat, chipped plank of his board, a tired smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.]
Usual stuff... I'm fine. Gotta say, I'm not used to people asking.
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[Maybe he was just wondering what this guy that was sort of his schoolyard rival was doing, trying to dig at him when he was uneasy.... Blue supposes he would be suspicious, too.]
--Are you tellin' me to mind my business? [He retorts right back, without hesitation, but he offers him a joking smirk.] You can, if you wanna.
Though you're right, you've always got a look on your face. You know, you'd probably solve half your problems around here if you just stopped scowling all the time.
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[Killua glances away, lifting his drink again, but not quite taking a sip. he doesn't actually mind it. he thinks? he's not totally sure how he feels, right now. maybe a little pathetic. does he not mind it because he's a little lonely? or does he actually like Blue?
does he actually wanna be Blue's friend? and what exactly are Blue's intentions, for that matter?
after the pause, Killua's eyes are on Blue again as he speaks up.]
Pff. Yeah, maybe, [Killua scoffs with an eyeroll.] Maybe I'll stop scowling when people give me something to smile about. Plus, isn't that kinda creepy too?
[Killua turns his head to look at Blue more fully again, a grin splitting his features, his voice entering an airy, pleasant lilt. Totally put upon.]
Smiling at people, asking them how they're doing and all that... I think that'd creep them out way more! And me, to be honest. I'm not a great actor, you know? Pretending to be nice, or to be likable and stuff... [Killua's expression and sweet tone both drop flat.] That crap's just exhausting.
I gave up that act in middle school, and I only used it to get stuff I wanted cuz I was cute.
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Never do that again.
[Blue slowly sips at his water, listening to the latter of his words... and then levies a skeptical glance at him.]
I think there was probably other reasons you were getting whatever you wanted, [Blue scoffs incredulously.] I got stuff cuz I was cute. --Well, from sis, anyway, and nice older ladies. And sis even knew better! Actually, she was probably just humoring me, most of the time... Now that I think of it.
[Blue laughs into his water bottle, a little awkwardly.] Maybe everyone has alternate reasons, after all.
[He thinks he'd rather not think on them that deeply, though.] So, what, you're saying nothing makes you smile?
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Ha, you're right. People were still scared of me, and I knew it. I guess it was like being cute as a threat, with me. Now I just find it annoying. The acting and the people being sketched out.
—Hmm, you think...?
[Blue may move the subject right along, but Killua definitely mentally pockets that for later. he senses now isn't the time, but he definitely is curious about Blue's thoughts on that. he's sharp, after all.]
Hah, no way. Plenty of stuff makes me smile. They're just hard to find in a setting like this. Seriously, I thought more highschoolers were like that, you know? Dunno how that's so weird.
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[Blue makes a face, like he's sort of amused, but not really approving of the fact. What an awful little demon he musta been- and people'd called Blue a spoiled brat...]
[Anyway, since they're on the subject, and Killua doesn't seem to be shying away, Blue plops a seat against one of the bike racks, making his intent to keep on this conversation clear.] Uh, okay. Like what? Plenty of people find stuff to like, have fun with even at school. You know, like... hobbies and stuff.
Like my horse! Visiting him always makes me smile. [Blue shoots one, sunny and a little shitstirring, right at Killua.] You gotta have some, right?
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[Killua leans a bit more bodily with his back against the drink machine. the way Blue says that his horse makes him want to roll his eyes, because what a rich kid response, but also...
fuck if Killua doesn't have a positive bias for boys who like animals... ew.]
Seeing or talking to my sister, [Killua admits, his cheeks reddening as he scowls off to the side.] Or a couple of my friends from my old school, I guess. A lot of my hobbies are kinda like—they're either fun with a couple friends, or just solo. Like video games, and whatever.
I guess messing with people is pretty fun, but that's kinda socially frowned on. It was fine at home, since I have 3 brothers, but at school, it used to be a problem.
[Killua has always been both the golden boy and the problem child....]
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....Jeez, your family sure is big... [Blue marvels with a hum, sipping thoughtfully. Then;] Guess that makes sense, though.
[Good for family business to have lots of arms (and options), right?]
[No wonder Killua had been interested when Blue had mentioned Daisy the other time, though.... Now Blue finds himself wondering, too, the other way around. Oh well, he probably shouldn't be nosy about the whole family thing, though.] Oh, you're into games and stuff..... I mean, I guess everyone is a little. But I have less time for them, I hardly pick up my Switch...
Or I didn't, before my ankle was busted. [He shoots Killua a look, but it's joking.] Whatcha play? Like, Call of Duty and stuff?
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[as predicted, Killua doesn't look particularly thrilled at the prospect of perhaps elaborating; his glowing feelings on the subject seem dead as soon as the spotlight is off his sister.]
—Oh, yeah. I like FPS, and some MMOs... Not that I have a lot of time for that stuff, but it's fun during the summer, sometimes. I play other random stuff too, usually cuz I'm bored, but I don't wanna sink a bunch of time into something.
What about you?
[how is he even having this conversation? it's so friendly? Killua feels immensely awkward, but... is also having fun...... Killua's lips idle on the soft plastic ridges of the calpico bottle, like he was prepared to take a sip but got distracted.]
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[Blue scratches his cheek slightly, grinning as he thinks on it. It was a better sounding answer than to just admit he liked a lot of 'babyish' games.... Killua'd probably make fun of him for it, if he put it like that.] I like tactics games but they take a lot of time to put in, so I don't really play them much anymore.
[He thinks on it for another moment, then looks back over at Killua.] Heh, you have a Switch or a WiiU? You should face me in MarioKart sometime. Bet you can't beat me there, either!
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baby games. Killua wants to judge, but his favorite people sort of have that taste. it makes him wonder if there's a venn diagram overlap at work with certain qualities... Blue's already an animal lover...
Killua straightens, then blinks, his expression a little surprised. that would... require hanging out outside of school, right? so is Blue—asking him to? Killua feels his stomach clench and his chest flutter, and he glances away, his cheeks a little red.]
Mm, I have both.
[he scoffs and snarks, narrowing his eyes as he glances back at Blue through their corners, a shy, scarce smile trying to wear itself as cocky.]
Antsy cuz you still can't run at your optimal peak, huh?
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[He thinks he sees something a little bashful in the way Killua smirks towards him, but he's not sure he's seeing it right... In fact, he must not be. Much more likely he's just being coy and a little amused that Blue would ask, right? Blue bites the inside of his cheek, but rolls with it.]
--Hmph. That's why I've had so much time to get back to playing games! [Blue sighs, leaning with an annoyed look on the bikes again.] It's not what I'd prefer to be doing, believe me.
But, playing games with someone else is more fun than being cooped up, playing on my own. Yanno?
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[Killua blinks, wondering if Blue realizes... or maybe he's misunderstanding? it sounds like he's admitting he's lonely, more than bored. if that's true, it might make sense; Killua thinks of Blue as a pretty outgoing dude, and their physical courses are certainly pretty social... well. it is for Blue, at least. being competitive almost seems like that for Blue, on top of palling around with his peers. for Killua, it's only that way because of Blue.
he...
does he use gym to socialize with Blue? what the hell? and now that they can't really do that for the moment, here's all this stuff—wait. god. focus. shit. god. this is embarrassing?? WHY IS HE EMBARRASSED
Killua tries not to wear a scowl that'd reflect how irritated he is with himself as he pulls out his phone.]
When are you free?
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[It's tempting to call him out for it, but Blue forces himself to let it go- even if he's definitely gonna be wondering to himself about that later.]
Schoolnights I gotta keep to studying time and other stuff, and Saturday I have plans already, but...
Tch, well, since I can't do any polo practice, or riding, or even much stablework-- [He rolls his eyes with a kind of disgust that suggests he doesn't agree with that at all!!] --I'm usually free all day on Sundays, now. That work for you?
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Yeah.
[god. why does he feel so anxious? is making friends that unnatural? truth told, upon reflection, Killua feels like he was... kind of getting used to it, when things were good with Gon.
so—what the hell?
ether way, despite his nerves, Killua coolly extracts his phone, then... less coolly, gives Blue a shy little peak, totally obfuscated under what most would mistake as steely indifference, his eyes partially obscured by the snowy shock of his hair.]
You got a time you prefer? Gimme your number.
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[He can call him or text him at any time... Would that be weird?? Would he just block him if he sent him casual links or memes or stupid stuff like that? He's kinda hard to read, but maybe... Maybe after he sees how he plays games and stuff...]
Here, [He holds his contact page out for Killua to copy his number down.] Shoot me a text so I can add you.
...Um, probably the best time is in the afternoon or evening... I dunno what my roommate'll be up to, so don't wanna wake him up too early. I'll be all done with my schoolwork by then so it doesn't really matter how long we spend that day....
--Heh, so don't go leaving all your assignments to the last minute, alright? I won't let you copy.
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Killua sends Blue a text with simply his name and his own number, so Blue can go ahead and add him from there. for some reason his face feels a little hot... maybe because it's been so long since this kind of thing has happened for something that wasn't purely school related. and even then, that had been a while.]
Pff, don't underestimate me. Like I'd ever need to copy someone's work.
[...though...Killua did sometimes let his work pile up to a tight deadline... but he was never late! and his grades were never bad!]
Anyway, let's maybe shoot for 3 or 4?
[oh no... how dumb.. he's excited. how embarrassing. stupid. ugh. WHY]
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[Blue plays at skepticism, but it's only that, playing. It gets easier and easier to do that around Killua, every time they manage to talk like this..... It's almost like the open antagonism and standoffishness of their first lone meetings have almost melted away.]
[Weird. What a weird month it's been.]
[Blue adds Killua's number into his phone and leaves it at that, for now.... He'll have to be patient and not send anything overeager, he decides.] That's a good time, let's meet then. I live in the East hall, room 304... You can just come right up.
[Blue picks his bike up off the rack and swings his leg back over it, sticking the waterbottle in the holder along the body. Just a few more school days until the weekend... Would class be sort of weird, with plans made? He'd rather worry about it when he's on his own, so he makes to be off.] Well, smell ya later, then. See you in class tomorrow.