Whoa... can y'all believe we already up to chapter 13 and still going strong? Man... It's been a wild ride...

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The next time Killua came around, Gon was still with him and he was a lot more capable of moving and speaking. He wasn't sure how long he'd been out for. All he knew was that he was awake now, and he was extremely happy to see Gon. The tan boy was still sitting right where he had been before, palms planted on the bed to keep him from falling over. He looked sleepy.

The pain in Killua's shoulder had lessened from a painful throbbing to a dull ache, which was bearable. He also didn't feel nearly as incapacitated as he did before. He must've already started healing.

He mustered up his strength and moved his hand, putting it over Gon's.

Gon glanced down, and his whole face lit up. "Hey, you." he said, softly. "Can you talk now? Or are you still too tired?"

"I-I think I can." Killua mumbled, his voice abnormally thin. "Are you alright? My father didn't hurt you or anything, right?"

"No, no, of course not. I've stayed away from your family for the most part, none of them seem to like me very much. Not even Illumi, because whenever he's in here he gets all protective over you." Gon shrugged, wincing a little. He knew their situation was bad. He knew his chances of actually being able to leave with Killua were growing slimmer and slimmer with each passing day. "I don't know how we're gonna make this work, to be completely honest..."

"Well, I wasn't lying when I told my father I'd run away if he didn't give me his blessing. If that's what it comes to, I will do it." Killua said, weakly tracing the outline of Gon's warm, calloused hand, playing with his fingers. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be with you, I hope you know that."

"I... don't want you to go that far, even for me..." the Southern Prince grimaced, taking hold of Killua's hand and lacing their fingers together. "Disowning your family is quite an extreme. I don't want you to lose your family."

"You really think losing them is gonna upset me? I've been dying to get away from them ever since I realized how abusive they really are."

"Even so, you'd also lose your right to the throne."

"I don't want it."

"Killua..." Gon looked dangerously close to breaking down. His large, rounded brown eyes sparkled with tears that wouldn't fall, giving them a beautiful shimmering effect. "I don't know what to say. What if your family comes after you? They could easily get up and wage war against the Southern kingdom as an act of revenge."

"I don't care. If that's how it's gonna be, then let them come. Nothing they can say or do will make me change my mind. I appreciate your concern, but I've made my decision." Killua shook his head slowly, trying to discourage Gon from arguing any further. "It's really sweet of you to try and look out for me like that, but I know what I want. We Zoldycks are known for taking whatever we want regardless of the consequences. I know I'll be happy if I leave this place and marry you. I know it'll all work out one way or another. Don't ask how I know, I just do."

Gon fell silent, choosing instead to study Killua's face. He didn't know what else to say, honestly. He just wanted this lovely snow angel to be happy. Gon also wished there was something more he could do to make everything work out. He didn't like leaving it all up to Killua to deal with, but he couldn't think of anything he could do to help. He mostly felt like he'd just get in the way if he tried to jump in.

"It's all a mess." the tan boy finally said, with a soft sigh. "I don't know what to do."

"I know it seems kinda crazy right now, but I know what I'm doing. As soon as I'm out of this stupid infirmary, I'm going to find and talk to my father." Killua declared, and Gon's eyes widened.

"No. Absolutely not. If you're gonna do that, you're taking me with you."

"What? Why?"

"Because I'm not letting you get hurt like that again. Do you have any idea how scared I was when I found out he tried to kill you?"

Killua winced. He didn't remember much of what happened after he'd been stabbed, but he could vividly imagine the look of complete and utter terror on Gon's face. It was heartbreaking. And to think, Gon might've actually looked like that.

"I'm... Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. But this time will be different. I won't let him hurt me." Killua said, slowly. Gon was already shaking his head before the Northern Prince had finished his sentence.

"I'm coming with you. No arguments. I came so close to losing you, Killua. I can't let that happen ever again. If I did, what would that make me?"

A very smart person, Killua thought, but he decided it was best to just go with it. "Alright, fine. Promise me you won't say anything stupid."

"Only if you promise me you'll stay safe."

"Deal."

It only took a few days for Killua to recover enough to leave the infirmary. His shoulder was still a mess of bandages, but the pain wasn't nearly as bad as it had been and the deep stab wound was beginning to heal up.

"It'll leave one hell of a scar," Gon said, as he watched Leorio change the bandages. "You're lucky to be alive right now, Killua."

"I know, I know. You don't have to remind me." Killua rolled his eyes in response before grinning excitedly. "I'm just happy to be getting out of here. Cheating death would be an excellent hobby if it weren't for the fact the aftermath is the most boring, tedious thing."

"Please don't make a habit of cheating death." Leorio gave the snowy-haired boy an unamused look. "I already see you in here often enough for the dumbest reasons anyway, might as well refrain from adding legitimate emergencies onto the pile. Besides, my goal is to only see every patient one time, and you keep wrecking that goal single-handedly."

"Sorry, Doc." Killua laughed, stretching his good arm above his head and standing up. "I'll try not to come back, okay?"

"Alright." the spectacled doctor shrugged as he gathered up his medical supplies.

"Let's get out of here. I'll bet your family is gonna be so excited to see you." Gon smiled, grabbing Killua's hand and pulling him to his feet.

The Northern Prince rolled his eyes. "I highly doubt that, given the fact Illumi and Alluka are the only ones who ever bothered to visit me while I was here."

"That is an excellent point. Even so, I'm sure they'll still be relieved that you're okay."

"Hmm. We'll see."

Gon looped an arm around Killua's narrow shoulders as they walked out of the infirmary together. He was honestly just so happy to see his friend up and walking again. Killua had been in such a miserable state the past few days, though he'd never admit he was in excruciating pain. He didn't have to because it was written all over his face, reflected in his abnormally dull eyes.

But now that he was healing and able to leave the infirmary, his beautiful blue eyes had their sparkle back and he just seemed a lot happier in general.

"I take it the pain's getting better?" Gon asked, savoring the feeling of Killua's warm skin against his.

"I guess. It's definitely not as bad as it used to be. You don't have to worry, though. I'm fine." Killua shrugged noncommitally, only to wince as that simple action caused a bolt of white-hot pain to shoot through his injured shoulder. He decided to shift Gon's attention away from him and added, "I'm a little worried about my Aniki, though. Hisoka told me the gash on Illumi's head got infected somehow."

"Infected?" Gon wrinkled his nose. He'd had no idea that was going on. Illumi was extremely good at keeping quiet when it came to his own well-being. "As long as it was treated, he should be fine. But even so, that sounds terrible. Infections cause all kinds of nasty things, like fevers."

"I'm sure he's okay, I just wish he would've told me himself. Instead, I had to hear it from that creepy clown."

"He's a magician."

"Same difference."

Gon chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I understand. I get the impression your brother doesn't like talking about how he's doing very much. Never once have I heard him admit he's not okay, even when it's obvious he isn't."

"You're absolutely right. He's always been like that. I'm kinda the same way, but you're extremely easy to talk to. I guess it just depends on the person. If I love and trust them, I talk to them about everything." Killua grimaced. His shoulder was really bugging him.

"Speaking of which, you don't look so good. Are you okay?" Gon asked, having noticed the various pained facial expressions his friend was making.

"Yeah, I'm alright. Once we get back to my room, I think I'm gonna take a nap. I'm tired and my shoulder hurts." Killua replied, feigning a very exaggerated yawn. "I feel like all I'm doing is sleeping."

"That's a good thing, actually. You're more tired than usual because your body consumes a lot of energy throughout the day for the sake of healing up that stab wound of yours. Besides, your body heals best when asleep." Gon explained, concerned expression melting into one of contentment. "It would probably mean something bad if you weren't tired all the time."

"Oh. I guess that makes sense." Killua blinked a couple times, feeling a strange sort of warmth creeping into his cheeks. Why the hell am I blushing? He didn't say or do anything cute! What's wrong with me?

Fortunately, he was distracted by a familiar set of voices further down the long corridor.

"Aniki, look! Isn't that Killua?"

"Killu? You're finally out of the infirmary?"

Killua turned to face the voices, grateful that they'd arisen before Gon had a chance to notice his blush. Kalluto was about ten feet away, dragging Illumi along behind him by the hand. Though Illumi was known for having small, slender hands, they were considerably large when compared to Kalluto's tiny ones. Hell, everything about Kalluto was petite. He was both the smallest and youngest person in the Zoldyck family, being only twelve years old.

"Yeah, Leorio decided it would be okay to let me out, so long as I promised to take it easy for a little while." Killua smiled when he noticed the way Illumi's usually dark, abysmal eyes were sparkling. Illumi always looked happier when he was with his brothers.

"Does that mean I can show you how to make paper fans, too? You missed the lecture I gave Alluka on different origami figures." Kalluto declared, hopping from one foot to the other excitedly.

"I wouldn't call it a lecture, Kalluto. Lectures are usually very boring by right, but Alluka was extremely interested in what you were telling her." Illumi remarked, reaching over with his free hand to smooth down the smaller boy's hair.

"Okay, okay, fine. It wasn't a lecture, it was an... academic discussion."

"I'm sorry to have missed it, sounds like fun." Killua laughed softly.

He wasn't used to seeing Kalluto out and about like this. Their mother, Kikyo, had been so happy when she learned Kalluto wasn't the most masculine boy in the world that she immediately started obsessing over him, treating him like the daughter she never had. In other words, she kept him entirely to herself, too afraid of letting him play with his older brothers because they might "ruin" him.

You might be wondering why Kikyo didn't do the same with Alluka. Well, the answer to that is simple. Alluka was transgender, born male but choosing instead to go by female pronouns. Kikyo was disgusted by this because it wasn't proper Zoldyck behavior, and often neglected to call Alluka by her proper pronouns.

"What are you two doing out here?" Killua asked, curiously.

"I wanted to braid Aniki's hair, but Mother was too busy fussing over politics and boring adult stuff to watch so she gave him permission to take me somewhere else for the time being." Kalluto replied, grinning from ear to ear like a little sunbeam.

Illumi nodded his agreement. "It took some convincing, but I'm glad it worked out. Mother doesn't let little Kalluto out of her sight nearly often enough."

"Yeah, I know. I get so tired of her whining sometimes. She always treats me like a girl and never lets me play with you guys. I'm not a girl." Kalluto grumbled under his breath.

Killua felt a stab of pity for his little brother. It must be difficult, having to live like that. He knew how overbearing their mother could be, but the knowledge Kalluto had to put up with her every second of every day was sickening to think about.

"You should come to our room. I'm gonna get some sleep, but I'll definitely be in there with you guys." Killua suggested.

Kalluto's whole face lit up and Illumi said, "Oh, I didn't think of that. What a good idea!"

"Really? That sounds so cool! I've never been there before, but Alluka told me your room is so big!" Kalluto began to chatter incessantly as the four of them continued to make their way down the corridor together.

"The fact Illumi only takes up roughly six feet of space in one corner makes the room itself seem even bigger." Gon remarked.

Kalluto did a double-take and looked up at the eldest Zoldyck son with wide eyes. "Nani? Dōshite?" ("What? Why?")

"Nazenara," Illumi began, with a sigh. "Hiroi supēsu wa sukide wa arimasen." ("Because, I don't like large spaces.")

Gon blinked at the two, completely and utterly confused. "Uh, Killua?" he called out, voice soft and uncertain. "What are they talking about?"

Killua laughed at the bewildered expression on Gon's face. "Chottomatte!" he exclaimed. "Kyōdai yo, eigo o hanashi nasai. Kawaisōna baka wa anata o rikai dekimasen." ("Wait! Speak English, brothers. The poor idiot can't understand you.")

"Killua!" Gon hissed, completely oblivious to the fact the snowy-haired boy had just insulted him. "Let me in on this! What are you guys saying?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot he isn't from around here." Kalluto giggled, jerking a thumb at Gon for emphasis.

"As did I." Illumi dipped his head apologetically before shooting a warning look at Killua and adding, "Shitsureida. Reigi tadashiku." ("That was rude. Be polite.")

"What's he saying?" Gon asked, clutching his head between both hands as if it were about to explode.

"Oh, nothing. Don't worry about it." Killua waved him off, though it caused both Illumi and Kalluto to scoff disapprovingly.

"It's not nothing and you know it!" Kalluto hissed, lightly kicking Killua in the shin.

"Don't do that." Illumi scolded, scooping the petite child up and carrying him on his hip like he'd done a few days ago. "You know it's not nice to kick people."

"Awww, but Aniki..." Kalluto pouted, burying his face in Illumi's shoulder. "Killua was being mean and calling the foreigner an idiot right in front of him!"

"You what?" Gon gave Killua a look.

"Traitor." Killua glared at Kalluto, who was making a huge show of ignoring him.

Gon tipped his head back and laughed, producing a sweet, musical sound that filled the snowy-haired boy with warmth. "It's okay, Killua! You know I'm not upset! I know you weren't being mean, but calling me an idiot in a language you know I can't understand does sound like something you would do..."

"That's because you are an idiot. Feh." Killua grumbled, jamming his good hand into the pocket on his baggy white pants.

"Yeah, I'm an idiot. But that makes you an idiot, too." Gon replied, a playful grin spreading across his face.

"Is that foreign guy Killua's boyfriend?" Kalluto asked, poking Illumi's cheek to get his attention.

"Eh. More or less." Illumi shrugged.

Killua gasped and clapped one hand over his mouth as his face turned fifty shades of crimson within the span of exactly three milliseconds. "Aniki!"

Gon giggled and tucked his arm around Killua's shoulders once again. "Well, given the circumstances, I guess you could call me that."

"Oh no, Gon, not you too!" Killua groaned, doubling over and hiding his face as best as possible with only one usable hand. He still couldn't use his left because the movement hurt his shoulder too badly.

Kalluto giggled and tucked his head under Illumi's chin, closing his eyes contentedly. "You should carry me more often, Aniki. It makes me feel tall."

Illumi kissed the top of Kalluto's head in response. "I'll keep trying to convince Mother to let you out here more often. If it works, I'll carry you as much as you want."

"You're the best. Also, I'm sorta glad Killua got a boyfriend, because now that he's super busy, you have more time to spend with the rest of us. Well, maybe not Milluki, Mother and Father because they're mean, but Alluka and I! We don't get to see you all that much." Kalluto kept chattering excitedly about the things he wanted to do if Kikyo could be convinced to let him go off on his own more often. He didn't stop until they made it to Illumi and Killua's room.

"Where do you want me to sit?" Illumi asked, setting his little brother down on the floor.

"I dunno. Somewhere." was Kalluto's matter-of-fact response as he wandered over to the wardrobe to look for some kind of elastic.

"That's very specific." Killua laughed, as he flopped down on his bed.

He swaddled himself up in a blanket, keeping one eye on his brothers. It honestly made him happy to see Illumi bonding with Kalluto, because before long, Killua would be returning to the Southern kingdom with Gon. Killua realized for the first time that he didn't really want to leave his brothers and sister behind with their horrible parents, but he couldn't think of a safe way to bring them all with him. He made a silent promise right then and there that he'd find a way to save them all. That he'd come back for them. They deserved freedom and happiness just as much as he did, and it made him feel selfish for not thinking of it before.

For now, I'm glad Illumi will have Kalluto to look after while I'm away. Aniki's gonna be lonely without me around, it's good he's making an attempt to bond with our other siblings.

"Oh god." Gon sighed, as he crawled into bed and curled up beside Killua. "I forgot how comfortable your bed is. It's so nice."

"You're such a dork." Killua rolled his eyes, though he couldn't help the small smile that graced his face. "You'd better keep quiet, I wanna get some sleep before we talk to my father."

"Hmm? You're doing what?" Illumi eyed Killua suspiciously from where he sat in the middle of the floor. Kalluto stood directly behind him, weaving his waist-length black hair into a braid, watching the discussion take place with wide, curious eyes.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Gon and I are gonna go try and get Father's blessing later. And if he doesn't give it, I'm gonna disown the family." Killua waved a hand dismissively. "I'm not afraid to run away if it means I'll get to go back to the Southern kingdom and marry Gon."

Illumi shook his head, a shadow passing over his face. "So stubborn. If you're gonna talk to Father, I want to be there. I'm not about to let him attack you like that again."

"But then you might get hurt too, Aniki." Kalluto remarked, shivering a little at the thought. "You can't play with Alluka and I if you're hurt!"

"I'll be careful." Illumi promised, reaching behind him to pat the smaller boy's head reassuringly.

"Why does everyone insist on coming with me just because I want to have a casual conversation with my father?" Killua wondered, giving Gon a look that implied he was not amused.

"Because your father has a history of going apeshit whenever you try to talk to him, especially about things like this." Gon replied, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind Killua's ear. "It's a good thing that Illumi and I will be present. We might be able to help if things get crazy."

"What about me? Can I come too?" Kalluto asked, but Illumi was already shaking his head before the child could finish his sentence.

"I'm sorry, but I would be a terrible Aniki if I put you in danger like that. It's my job to keep all of you safe, remember?"

"Oh, okay..."

Killua yawned and rolled onto his side, snuggling up against Gon's warm chest. The tan boy smiled and draped his arm over Killua's side, nuzzling his face into soft, fluffy white hair.

"I'm tired." Killua mumbled.

"Then sleep. I'll be right here when you wake up." Gon promised, kissing the top of Killua's head lovingly.

The last thing Killua remembered thinking before he drifted off to sleep was that Gon smelled both earthy and sweet at the same time, like the pomegranate tree they had climbed together.

"Aniki?" Kalluto called out, after a long moment of silence.

"Yes?"

"Why does Killua want to run away so badly? Does he not care about us?"

Illumi sighed. He didn't know how to answer that. "I... don't think it's because he doesn't care. He's just excited that he found a way out of here. Mother and Father always put so much pressure on him to be king someday, and he doesn't want that."

"But why is he so keen on leaving us behind? Did he forget about us?"

"No, of course he didn't. We all knew this was gonna happen someday. He'd find someone who makes him happier than we ever will, and he'd run away with that person." Illumi drew his knees up to his chest so he could prop his chin up on them, staring off into space. "We'll find a way to keep going without him. After all, you'll always have me. I'm not going anywhere."

Kalluto was silent for a moment, focusing on the half-completed braid he was creating. When he finally spoke again, he sounded dangerously close to crying. "W-What about that magician? Is he gonna take you away, too?"

Illumi had to think about that one for a second. Hisoka was important to him, but... "No, Kalluto. You're more important to me than him because you're my brother. I'm not gonna let anyone take me away from you, okay? If I decide to leave, I'm taking you and Alluka with me. I promise. We're gonna stick together."

Hisoka is sweet, and I'd love to go back to the South with him, but I'm responsible for my siblings. I can't follow Killu's example and leave them behind. Their safety and happiness comes first and foremost, even if it means giving up my own happiness.

Satisfied, Kalluto threw his arms around his brother's neck, hugging him tightly from behind. "You really are the best big brother ever."

To be continued...

A/N: Oh lawd... why do I insist on tormenting the Zoldyck children so much? Its starting to hurt me lol. I almost wish there was a way to write this story without hurting them so much, but really, I don't think it's possible. Think about the psychological damage it must deal them, knowing that one of their beloved brothers chose someone else over them and is about to just leave them behind. I felt the need to really describe the loneliness they must feel, so in a terrible sort of way, this chapter was necessary. The next one is gonna describe Gon and Killua's discussion with Silva, so hold on to your socks, my friends. The show ain't over yet.

Eyyyy thanks so much for reading! Please remember to leave a review on your way out, I'd love to hear what you think of this story so far! Take care of yourselves, I love y'all!

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