Eifion recalls his discussion with Vastorie.

Eifion recalled his discussion with Vastorie, how the man was able to not only avoid the topic but drop clues throughout it. While he loved to dance through things the involved him, the question he asked didn't.

The man had to have known he was talking about the kids, about his son and Killua…

Yet, the man never stated their names throughout the conversation; he was actively avoiding it. Whether it was due to him feeling like he was being watched from afar, or saying their name made him feel guilty in some capacity… Vastorie must have felt he couldn't dismiss the entire conversation.

Either way, Eifion would have to relay what he heard to the boys, even if it's something they didn't want to hear.

Although, recalling the man's words did help him a little understand the situation a little better.

Hey, I wanted to ask you for some information on an unrelated topic…

Sure, shoot…

Hypothetically, is it possible to bind two polar, opposite techniques, without any conflictions? He could recall the eerie silence that followed, the way the man almost refused to speak. If he hadn't pressed, would he have simply changed topics at the time? Vastorie, is it possible?

Possible…? The man hummed through the phone, dragging the conversation for longer than it should have. It could be possible, or it could be not… logically speaking, it's a contradiction. But if Chaos can exist at the same time as Order, two polar, opposites could work together.

I'm not here to have a philosophical debate with you… it's a request from a student at my school. Is it possible? Could you help me, by giving me a hint or two?

I've already dropped one… you merely glossed over it.

Chaos and Order is not a hint, Vastorie… He shouldn't have been frustrated; he should've played it cool. But hearing the man argue as if he doesn't care at all about the topic, annoyed him.

My friend… it is a hint. Clues lie in its shadows. You just need a light source and a location on where to look. It is possible, but it's not something I could answer with a few well-placed words or ideals. It's something that takes time to cultivate…

So, how exactly would I cultivate it? He paused for a moment, at the time, rethinking his question. Actually… how would I help them cultivate it?

You should try giving them a rake, it'll help in the long run. The man mocked with some childish laughter at the time.

Eifion knew his mentor was onto him, but a well-placed joke wasn't helping the situation. He needed proof, information on how to make it work. Enough games, I want to help them…

Again… them, are you using Them as in singular… or plural?

Singular, so how can I help them?

Ask them what they want?

I have…

So, what do they want…?

A connection… He remembered pausing because that's how Daniel and Killua called it. Vastorie may have noticed his pause, but he was quick to remind his mentor of what he was seeking. A bond that gives them freedom.

Logically speaking… it's impossible to achieve.

That's what I said…

Yet, you're asking me this question. Why? What do you hope to gain from this?

You're a Nen cultivator… you prove the impossible every single day.

The man chuckled at the time, laughing at the absurdity. Just because he has dealt with difficult Nen techniques, ones that were harder to cultivate daily doesn't mean he can achieve the impossible every time. I have… but I can't perform it every time. It takes practice… not hints and ideas.

Isn't your life motto based on hints and ideas?

Not exactly. A bond requires a connection between two or more. Freedom is from a lack of the bond. It's impossible… not without someone manipulating the other into a false sense of freedom. Wouldn't you agree?

We have a bond, but you manipulated me into trusting you… wouldn't you agree? He intended that to be an insult, a quick jab of sorts. What he hadn't expected, is for his mentor to take the knife and twist it.

You're right… I had manipulated you into trusting me. But look at where you are now, asking me for help… in a school, I helped you refine, full of teachers that could offer you guidance. You don't need my help… you just want it, because you don't trust your own, self-worth.

That's a low blow… even for you.

Nutcrackers are indeed my forte. But… if you really, desperately, need a hint so badly… that you're even willing to ask me without completely trusting me with all the information… I'd say this. If they want a bond with freedom so badly, they need to ask themself do they want freedom from the other or the weaknesses they were hoping to cover up?

He felt the chill in his mentor's words, but pursuing further details, wasn't an option anymore. What does he even tell Daniel and Killua? That the boy's father caught onto him…? No… the best for the young teens would to not just say he had been caught… but to say those chilling last words.

Do they want their bond because they're trying to ignore their weaknesses… or because they're trying to avoid something else? Weaknesses can be hard to overcome, but what exactly, did the man expect the kids to be running from?

Was it the fear of never being good enough for the other…?

Or…

Was it the fear of making a mistake they could never recover from…?

Well, he'll relay the information to the boys. Hopefully, they could gather some useful intel from the information.

"~"

Killua listened to the words, calm and rationally. In his mind, it didn't seem that useful to him, personally, but to someone like Daniel, someone who's dealt with his father for most of his life… he might be able to pull information out from cracks he may have overlooked.

So, when he relayed everything back to Daniel like a game of telephone, he'd make sure to keep an eye on his partner's expressions. Like he had predicted, his partner became silent at the words, "Is anything salvageable…?"

Daniel looked from to the floor to his partner's eyes. He sighed in frustration. He's dealt with that type of personality for so long, even if he did understand the majority of the information… it was still taxing to him, "I understand what that madman was trying to suggest… You're not going to like it."

"It can't be that bad…"

"There are two things he was trying to suggest." The boy held up two fingers, "First, we need a reason why we, personally want this… Second, is it a good enough reason?"

"The what and why argument, huh…? We have reasons, why we're doing this… yet he still wants us to engage the argument like there's some hidden fucken agender…" Killua immediately fell quiet. He couldn't believe it… even Eifion pointed it out. Either the man predicted what Eifion might likely say, or he's trying to get them to spiral into endless questions.

Killua next choice of words was slow and precise, "He's talking about what we fear could go wrong…"

Daniel gave a silent nod; the two were on the same page. They knew the answer for a long time… what was stopping them this time. They've talked about it… addressed it… but even still, it's there… somewhere in the back of their mind. What if we do it wrong…?

Killua let out a frustrated noise, "But we know what we want… we thought about it for a long time. We want a connection, without us impending on each other's freedom… we want to be able to grow and cultivate our own, strength, without it infringing and screwing over the other's end goal… is that so hard to fucken understand?"

"I don't think he's talking to you with this statement… he's talking to me…"

The boy looked at his partner, his expression falling, "Isn't this what we both wanted… a strength so we can never forget one another… so we never fall victim to anyone else's manipulative traits?"

"I do… I want that badly… but I get why he's arguing we can't have freedom and a bond at the same time. It's because of the implication. I… I don't want to lose you, or your freedom… but I also don't want others to have you either. It's… It's so hard to hold on, while also knowing when to let go. I want to remain by your side… yet I also know there are times where I need to avoid you… don't you see?"

Killua crossed his arms, deep in thought. If they were, to be honest with one another, their fears were also a key component of having trust with one another. But, it's not the trust aspect that's in question…

He trusts Daniel not to try and bend their connection in a matter that allows him to utilise his talents.

What he doesn't trust, is the connection itself. It appeals to their emotional state, warming their mind to feel what the other is experiencing… Their pain… Their fear…

They do not know the full extent of how far their connection's reach goes… they just know it's there, and connects them on an emotional, as well as to some extent, on a physical level. The warmth can make him smile… but also, feel worried… not just for his partner, but the relationship.

Daniel brought up his hand, stroking his partner's hair, "What are you thinking about…?"

"This connection, where we should go from here… among many other things. I care about our wellbeing, and I'm often weighing the risks with the benefits. If I'm being honest, I rather we didn't have this connection… if it puts us at a huge risk. But, there are several pros…" Thinking long and hard on the matter, Killua's lip quirked upward, "I want to trust you… these feelings that keep us connected."

"But…?"

"No buts, unless…" When Daniel blushed, Killua's smirk widened, "I'm kidding. But if I must put a 'but' here, it's that I see the risks… the ones that put us at a huge disadvantage. Putting those aside, I say we listen to Eifion… and to some extent, your father's words. Figure out what we really, desire with our connection. We lay the foundation, but also… I say we keep pushing ourselves to grow stronger for the moment. You, with In as well as your strengths, and for me…"

Killua lost his train of thought.

"What about you…?"

"Huh…? Oh, right… where I want to grow stronger. I don't see myself being perfect in everything." When Daniel raised his finger, ready to object, Killua held out an accusatory finger, "Don't even go there! I mean… I don't know where I want to expand on if I'm being honest. You have In… I don't have a clear path… My parents taught me to be well rounded with knowledge… but I never saw anything I personally, want to focus on."

Daniel offered a smile, "How about I teach you some of my knowledge?"

Killua offered a smirk, "Oh… what does the teacher plan on teaching me…?" He wrapped his arms around his partner, offering a sly grin.

"I know you know about weapons; it's uses and strengths…"

Killua gave a nod, "Yup, came with the training."

"But do you know about how to maximise their skills? For instance, a dagger… while used as a tool for stabbing and quicker takedowns. You can also be used it for disarming… Not in a stab or cut off their hand kind of way. I mean, an upwards strike along their palm could not only widened their grip but also, make them struggle to hold onto their weapon as well as stop them from trying to grab something else to defend themselves with…"

Killua gave a nod, "So, you'll be willing to depart your knowledge on various weapons… for what exactly…?"

"You're great at hand-to-hand combat and disarming someone, but having a sub-weapon, could also prove useful to you."

"You do realise I have nails as sharp as knives…"

"And if you chip these nails…?"

Killua scoffed at the idea, somewhat laughing at the absurdity of the idea, "Oh, my… I chipped a nail… what would I ever do?"

Daniel playfully shoved his partner, "I'm being serious. Do you have a backup plan? Or at worse, what if you're dealing with someone like Hisoka or anyone else, whose Nen techniques has problematic, controlling properties to deal with… especially, when you are backed up into a corner…?"

Killua hummed at the idea, "Alright… I'll bite. You teach me some of those tricks, and I'll see if there's anything I want to expand on, deal?"

"Deal!" The two shake hands on the deal, smiling widely at each other.

As the boy leaned in for a kiss, Killua's smile softened, melting from their connection. It's always soft and tender, but this time feels slightly different. They're able to relax, even after their discussion. As relaxing and relieving their kiss was, Killua disengaged, "Can we put a pin in this for a moment. We'll pick up on it later…"

Daniel was saddened by the moment being cut short. But then he felt Killua grab him by the hips with one hand, while the other pulled him from the shoulder, a long kiss being pressed into his neck.

Daniel felt his body's nerves light with arousal, but as quickly as those feelings came, Killua disrupted the moment once more, this time with a cocky smile, "We'll continue that later."

The boy touched his partner's chest, smiling at the feelings passing through him, "I love you…"

Killua pressed his head against Daniel's, "I love you too…" Disengaging from each other's grasp, the boy left to check on his sister.

Daniel on the other hand looked down, frowning from his body's betrayal, "Damn it…" Although, soon he found himself smiling at the situation, fond of his partner's actions. Everyone shows affection in different ways. Between Vastorie, well… before he became reclusive, Nathaniel, Killua, Gon, Alluka and even Sakura… showed it. He doesn't know much about the way Iason expresses his love, but when they meet in person… he was sure to find out.

Whether that's Gon forcing it out of him or through unconscious actions… Daniel will eventually find out. Looking over the stack of information he's failed to digest, the ones Nathaniel gave him, he decided to open one at random, flipping through the pages.

It read mostly as a journal, describing his day-to-day situation; it described meetings with many names of people he was yet to meet. If the first one was an indication, it looks as though it lists as memorable people his father had met, the reason for assisting the person, and the actions being taken.

He flipped through the pages till he found a name he recognised.

"Nathaniel…" Sitting down, he looked over the contents.

I can't believe I'm doing yet another task, for someone I despise. I can say that… even though I'm writing this because he simply doesn't care about this journal.

Nathaniel is a troublesome fellow. Bright, bubbly… annoying as fuck… intrusive. He was even bold enough to try to strike a conversation with me. I refuse to deal with these kinds of people…

I could tell he was frustrated at me, most are if I ignore their determination for long enough. But I also know, if he continues to pursue me, he's only going to get himself hurt.

He'll be a dumbass if he thinks he could change my life…

Daniel chuckled at the information. Yet, you eventually married him…

I don't even know why I bother caring about him now. I have my end goal, the Hunter's License. Nothing else needs to matter. Not even my personal… goal should be allowed to get in my way. If I play my cards right, I could use this to disappear without a trace.

Although…

Through reddened cheeks, Daniel ignored the remainder of the paragraph, considering it describing one of his father's ass in great, detail. He doesn't need to know this information. It goes on to describe his father's features, and personality, nothing he already knew before abruptly cutting off.

When he flipped the page, it described one of his conquests, a man he'd never heard of. He avoided all the smutty context until it reached the bottom of the page.

I killed him…

As he flipped through the pages, it became a similar problem. It was disgusting to see, yet, it was a part of Vastorie he had overlooked. Every page was the same, either someone ending in death, or a conquest, which also ended in death.

It was disturbing to read, watching his father descending into madness, frustration… Until it reached the last page.

I ran into Nathaniel again… he saw what I was capable of…

"He didn't run away…" It was the end of the journal, when he searched through the other books, other journals, nothing continued, let alone gave any indication to the story continuing. He slammed the last journal he had been looking through on the desk, frustrated at having come so close to hearing about his father's past.

But all he knows is his father was a pervert, mentally fucked in the head, and that Nathaniel was aware of what he's capable of. He had seen a man die while Vastorie was experiencing bliss.

How did his father perceive the sight? Did he see it as Vastorie experiencing euphoria during a kill, or did something in his body language give something away?

How did Vastorie react? Did groan is frustration, or walk away? Sure, it may be a question he doesn't want a complete answer to… but if it allows him to dig deeper into his father's mind, maybe he can find something he'd never expect. A sliver of kindness buried deep in the man's mind.

What does Nathaniel see in him…?

Even now…?

He must see something because they were married for a long time. He can remember even key moments where the two of them smiled. Victor can't be the complete cause of his old personality resurfacing. There must be something else that brought it back.

Like… some old fear…

He'll eventually find out the full truth… the darkness his father has yet to let go.