Introduction

Sequel to The Kopīkyatto Shadow.

Now splitting from the world tree and unsure what to do next, they decide to travel the world, showing Alluka things that she could only fantasied.

Yet as they wish for an adventure without strife, a darkness waits for them in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike.


I'll be using 70 writing prompts by Amorine

Here's my attempt at 70 Writing Prompts... And believe me, I'm semi-NOT looking forward to 69... I just realised there was a joke there and 63 is going to be unique as well as 26...

I plan to write at least 1,000 words per prompt, although some chapters will probably end up being abnormally longer than others.

Also, some prompts will be switched around or may be combined. The prompts included in each chapter will be listed right before the start of the story.

Paring

Killua X Daniel (OC)

Gon X Sakura (OC)

Extras

Alluka

Vastorie Darkscryer

Nathaniel


Prompt

A Chance Meeting


The cafeteria bustled with people, arguments about the heatwave being the centrepiece of arguments. It's been so long since he heard someone complain about the weather, that the whole situation seemed nostalgic in his eyes.

Yet, at the same time, everything seemed so different now. He had aged, barely, and neither was it enough to considered to be 'old'. How will his family react, to the battle scars of the Chimera Ant battles? To the achievements of Greed Island? His new-found strength? Hunter's Licence…? Or… his partner and their sister?

Being gay was the least of Daniel's problem, it was who he was bringing home.

Killua and Alluka Zoldyck, a pair his feel in love with. One as a sister, Daniel's eyes drew to Alluka, giggling in her seat as she spoke with her brother…

And the other intimately, Daniel's attention shifted to Killua, who smiled like a clear sea, a long list full of wonder and terrifying things, yet to be discovered. By now Daniel was sure he knew Killua well, but there were still traits that were yet to be discovered…

New quirks he'd probably fall in love with. He hadn't found a single thing he hated about the boy, and maybe when they grow up, he might find some bad habits annoying, but in all fairness, he couldn't see himself as hating Killua.

Not now, not ever…

"Sir?"

Daniel snapped back to reality, eyes were drawn back to the barista "Oh, sorry."

"So, a Quadruple Hot Chocolate… with… extra chocolate, two normal sized Hot Chocolates, chocolate brownie, and two toasted cheese sandwiches. That will be 3270 Jenny."

Daniel giggled at the person's reaction as he paid for the order, taking the drinks as well as the sandwiches before crossing to join Killua and Alluka. However, as he turned around Daniel bumped into someone by mistake.

The boy expertly angled the drinks stopping them from spilling all over the place "Sorry, I didn't mean to do that. Uh…"

"No harm, no foul… Rushifā Tempest."

Daniel quirked an eyebrow, confused as to why he recognised the voice, and that name… Tempest. It sounds more like a villain's name. Huh? I felt like I've experienced this before… It felt like Déjà vu, foul, sickening to hear his name, like viper lashing out at its victims. He couldn't place his finger on where he heard it, but he definitely met the man at some point "Have we… met?"

He had long white hair, almost touching the ground with red streaks along the bottom, like fire consuming a raging snow storm.

"Afraid not." The way he spoke was formal, yet it had this nagging reverberation towards a sickening darkness which threatens him if he lingered too long in the man's presence. Daniel's hands tightened around the drink holder, taking a step backwards in the direction of Killua "Well, it's nice to meet you but I-"

Daniel felt a hand rest on his shoulder, stopping him in place. He could feel an unnerving presence lurking behind him, sinister to the touch. He knew who the hand belonged to, but he hoped that Killua would stop talking to his sister just long enough to notice the struggle of the boy's heart.

"You forgot your meal…"

Daniel's eyes glance back at the man, feeling a little sick once he noticed his smile. All fibres of his body wanted him to run, yet he couldn't stop himself from looking at the man's hand. Sure enough, there was his bag, the sandwiches still hopefully inside. He didn't realise he dropped it, so there must have been some foul play at some point, yet he didn't want to raise suspicions, just in case the man was indeed a threat to Killua, Alluka and himself "Thanks…"

Daniel snatched it out of his hand, walking towards Killua to alert the boy of an incoming drama.

As Daniel sat down, Killua was the first to comment "You look like you've seen a ghost. What's wrong…?"

"I-" The boy stopped, trying to recall everything that had transpired, but when he turned to look back, he couldn't see it, let alone picture what had transpired. Was it all a dream, a figment of his imagination? The name… he couldn't even remember the name! What's going on?

It wasn't that long ago it happened, yet his mind refused to recall the scenario as if it refused to do so. His mind refused to recall every step of the scenario, forcing him to forget every detail, no matter how minuscule "Ah… it's nothing."

"If you say so…" Killua frowned a little, seeing Daniel so draught, unnerved him, yet it was as if the boy struggled to remember even the tiniest of details; it told him something was wrong. But to what degree, he wasn't too sure. He'll have to keep his eyes attentive, watching the boy's every move from now on.

He should have paid attention! If something was going on, a threat curling their fingers into the boy, threatening Daniel's life, Killua will stop them.

"Oh," Daniel placed the drinks and food down, unwrapping the bag "Alright, we have…" the boy gave Alluka her food first, placing the food and drink before her eyes "One hot chocolate and toasted cheese sandwich."

Alluka unwrapped the sandwich, munching on it as Daniel grabbed his food next "The same for me, and…" Daniel grabbed the brownie and Quadruple death sentence "Quadruple Hot Chocolate, with extra chocolate and a Chocolate brownie for the special man."

"Yo-" Killua blushed as he snatched the food out of Daniel's hand, placing it before his eyes "You're as sickeningly sweet as ever."

"Like your drink…" Daniel retorted back, smiling at the boy with ease. He still couldn't have postulated, that he'll fall, nor believe that he was able to date someone sweet like the drinks he usually ordered, so easily. He couldn't gauge how much he really loved Killua, but on a scale of one to ten, madly would've been best suited to measure his feeling for said boy.

"As cheesy as your meal more like it."

Daniel nodded without a retort, accepting Killua's argument like it was normal description placed on him "Oh, Killua, by the way… you've met Vastorie, correct?"

"Yeah, during the Hunter's Exam. It was a… chance encounter. Weird, but mostly… no, it was just weird. You look so much alike." Killua took a sip of his drink, wondering where Daniel was headed with the conversation. He was going to meeting him again, this time as partners and with his sister alongside him.

So, hopefully, he wouldn't be as weird as Daniel. Seeing two people look alike, especially when your dating one, was bad enough, having the same personality would only intensify the awkwardness. Especially if Vastorie complimented him just like Daniel would.

He couldn't handle seeing his future partner, acting like his father.

"Yeah, I know… I have so many complaints about that." Daniel watched in intrigue as Alluka held out her hand, demanding to try Killua's volatile concoction of sugar overdose. Her face scrunched up as she took a sip, the sugar hitting her like a truck "It's really sweet…"

"Just the way I like it, thanks, Daniel…" Killua smiled at the boy as he took another long sip, unwrapping the brownie with ease. It was a wonder how Daniel knew how he likes Hot Chocolate so much, willing to make disaster concoction, after disaster concoction for his taste buds. It was the perks of dating someone who didn't care so much about what he puts in his body.

Although eventually, that statement might not hold its ground. So, he'll have to go through them as if he were popping pills like candy. Yet, as he drank, he waited for why Daniel brought up his father, but it never came "You were saying?"

"Oh, I was going to bring up we don't live in a normal typical house…"

"Uh huh…" Killua blinked slowly, expecting for some elaborate tall tale "and you think it will be more abnormal than, what…? My place?"

"No, I'm just stating, unlike your place which we can catch tour guides to, mine is a little… non-existent. As in, we have to walk…"

"Uh, huh…"

"Really far…"

"And…?"

"I'm talking like how far we had to travel to the world tree."

"Doesn't sound too bad." Killua munched on the brownie, licking his lips to steal the crumb that tried to get away "I don't see what this has to do with your father."

"I'm getting to the point. We live in a mansion-size cottage, in the middle of the bushlands. So, imagine Gon's house, only surrounded by bushes and trees. My dad loves security, over easiness."

Killua placed the last piece of the brownie in his mouth before scrunching up the wrapper, before tossing it into the paper bag "Nothing too abnormal. Nothing my Godspeed can't rip through. Still can't see the point of how this relates to your father."

"Don't expect anything grand once you see my place, it's nothing like your butler's mansion."

"I wasn't. I'm just glad to meet some… normal family when it comes to my childhood, normal, is just… well… a pipe dream at that point."

"Considering what we dealt with, normal is more like an abnormality."

"Heh…" Killua chuckled at that, it was so true "You're right about that. Still, if you're scared to go back home, we can always take a detour."

"No, I want to show you my home. I'm just hoping nothing too weird causes you to run away scared."

"Me, scared…? You clearly haven't been paying attention to my family much."

"Your family is nothing when it comes to my dad without a morning coffee."

Killua smiled at that, now that is the normality Killua seeking, someone who was bitchy without his coffee, not the torture, the pain, the anguish of having a role forced upon him the moment he was born. Although, he knew he couldn't bring any of this up. Alluka didn't need to know what he experienced just to save her life, nor did Daniel need the constant reminder that he had experienced so much pain during his childhood "Right, I'll believe it when I see it…"

Daniel nodded once before turning his eyes to the outside of the café, the city bustling with life. In less than one day, he'll be reunited with his family. It's been so long, so he could only wonder what has changed at home. It would suck if his father threw out his bed…

Or worst-case scenario, they're all out on missions…

"~"

Killua's mouth gaped open once he saw the size of Daniel's house. It was massive, taking a chunk of the land it was built upon. While it was nothing compared to his house, Daniel was selling it short. He was expecting a small three-bedroom cottage, not a two-story house obscured by the mountainsides and trees.

Even his little sister was filled with awe as they walked up to the doorsteps, the oak flooring and elaborately designed double doors. It was filled with patterns, tracing the grains of the wood where it ended at the windows, stained glass that was just as elaborately designed as the door.

Daniel sighed as his finger hovered over the doorbell, wishing he rang earlier just to see if they were home. Worst-case scenario, he could always grab the spare key. But he'd rather introduce Killua and Alluka before the awkwardness of having to explain why he suddenly appeared in the house without warning.

"Here goes…" Daniel pressed the button, the bell going off like a symphony dedicated to raising the dead, loud but not obnoxious. After a few moments, he could hear a voice over on the other side of the door.

"I'm coming…"

Daniel blew out a sigh of relief, at least Vastorie didn't answer. Who knows how he would have responded. Along accentuated, extension with the 'o', combined with a possible groan or moan of some sort.

But the fact he heard this voice, made him smile widely. Meeting Nathaniel first after so long, brightened his mood immensely. He couldn't wait to say 'hi', to see his father's reaction, the surprise, the smile, and possibly tears as well.

Swinging the door opened, he greeted them as he would usually greet anyone "Why, hell-?" Nathaniel froze to the spot, not expecting this visitor at all. He could feel the tears prickle at the tips, mouth shaking with glee.

"H-"

Daniel was swept into the man's arms, bringing him into a bone-crushing grip "I missed you so much! Why haven't you been calling?! Where have you been?!" Daniel could hear the questions, but the way his father tackled him, pinning him on the spot without warning, took the breath right out of him.

He was filled with delight as the air was pushed right out of him. A tap on his father's back, made the man pull back apologetically, instead opting to press his forehead against his own child's as he continuously smiled. It had been far too long since he last seen the boy.

"I'm home!"

"Welcome back son…" He pulled the boy back into a more comfortable hug once more, this time more tender, less 'crushing'. Only once he noticed another two behind where Daniel was once standing, he pulled away. Shifting his weight, the man gave his son the rest he needed, cradling the boy in his arms as he spoke, "So, to who do I owe the pleasure?"

"This is Killua, and his sister Alluka?"

"Hi…" Killua awkwardly waved, unsure how he should be greeting one's parents. He'd rather not be the one to say 'hi, I'm your son's boyfriend', for obvious reasons.

"HI! Do me, do me!" Alluka jumped up and down, wanting the same sort of treatment Daniel had just received.

Nathaniel put his son down before sweeping the squealing girl into his arms, giving her the same treatment as he had just given his son. Killua smiled at the scene before him, happy to see his sister get the treatment she's deserved for the longest time. She was smiling, happy to receive a hug from someone other than him. Yeah, he was a little jealous at how quickly another person was able to make her smile, but this person was Daniel's father and considering he looked nothing like Vastorie, this had to be Nathaniel.

The man held her in his arms a little longer as he looked back at the boy, noticing the sincere smile, the way he looked at his sister showed him that Daniel made some amazing friends over those last few years "And what about you, mister?" He asked as he put Alluka back down.

"I'll pass-"

"Too bad!" Nathaniel swept Killua into his arms before the boy could react "so, sad…" The moment he was hugged, he realised why Daniel's hugs felt so good. Warm, inviting. He picked it up from his father "I can see where you got your hugging technique from…"

Nathaniel chuckled at the boy's reaction, pulling back the boy before he pressed a finger into the Killua's nose "From the master. Oh, I'm so sorry. I haven't formally introduced myself, yet. My name's Nathaniel. I'm Daniel's father. Well, at least one of them…"

Killua nodded, somewhat dreading the moment Daniel made the reveal. He could only imagine what kind of hell he'll receive once the man realises who his holding.

"Well come on in," Nathaniel motioned as he put the boy down "just ignore the mess. We're in the middle of cleaning up. Vastorie and I got back a couple of days ago, the whole election came without warning. A little terrifying once I heard you hadn't voted either."

Daniel heard something else between the words, like a hidden message of sorts. Nathaniel was keeping a secret, he knows something that he wasn't letting out. But Killua's open gasp made the boy chuckle.

The inside was wonderfully designed, beating his home by a mile. It looked vibrant, inviting, unlike his dark marble cobblestone home. There were two rooms as he first entered, the room on his right lead to a small study, a TV obscured by the partly closed door and a shelf littered with books, as well as the desk which had some more books dispersed out over it.

The left side had no door. But it led to an open living room, another TV over-looking the inviting couch. He could see another doorway off in the corner, leading to another room, this time with tiles.

The boy allowed himself to look towards the other end of the hallway, noticing a staircase leading upstairs near the back, a closed door off to the right side, as well as a four-way intersection nearby, one leading most likely to the room behind the living room and the other to an unknown destination.

"Well, this isn't much… but it's home." Nathaniel pressed his hand into his sides.

"Much… is an understatement." Killua crossed his arms, smirking as he allowed his eyes to focus on the living room. At least the couch looks comfortable, the only thing comfortable in his home, was wherever Alluka was, but his bed would have to be a close second.

The furniture in his home was designed for strength, endurance, and the need to ruin any hope of providing any form of comfort. Plus, he couldn't move the couch without any other family member hearing it from the other side of the house.

"Well, considering who I'm talking with, much is more fitting."

"Huh?"

"Vastorie told me about your family. You own your own mountainside…"

"Wait, how does he know?"

Nathaniel wiggled his finger as he walked down the hallway "Sticking his nose in everyone's business is what he does best. He's not a Head Hunter for nothing."

"As well as Three Star at that…"

Nathaniel shrugged "I'm married to the guy and even I didn't know."

"How could you not know?!"

Nathaniel snickered "Of course I knew. I'm the one who forced him to apply for it. He didn't want to go, because people would have a negative reaction to it. Like: if some weak nobody like that, who doesn't have his own Hatsu can apply, I can do it too. I'm a two star, and I've still yet to accomplish some of the things he's done in the past."

Daniel's eyes lit up, instead of asking from out of the horse's mouth, he had just found an avenue where gather all the information "What did he do exactly?"

"Oh, well he took down a giant organisation that-" Nathaniel paused "Worst one to bring up in front of an innocent child." Nathaniel stopped as he looked towards Alluka "Well, he took down a giant organisation of shady people, which some of the members could use Nen as well. Also, with gambling, he helped me with one of my side projects. Where I come from, I didn't exactly have a family…"

The man's tone shifted slightly, the first part sounds more like a joke "I became a Hunter, for the perks of the money…" then his tone shifted little lower, eyes drifting slightly away from the boys' and girl's gaze "to save the orphanage where I grew up in."

He tapped his chin, thinking about how he met the man, and how much really changed when he got to really know him "Vastorie just made it possible. From there, he helped me save other homes from going bankrupt, as well as even building new ones in its place. I visit some of them from time to time, checking to see how they're going, doing some odd repairs or getting in people in who can get the job done."

The man crossed his arms as he smiled "It's hard work, but seeing those kids' smile, brings a tear to my eyes sometimes." Nathaniel looked away, a frown forming "Losing the most important things in life like family is hard, you feel like the world crumbling around you…"

The man shifted his weight once more walking towards the hallway leading to the left, stopping right at the corner "but having that hero or knight in shining armour pluck you off your feet, telling you everything is going to be alright as he shows you proof, is what drives me to do what I do. Vastorie and I get nothing from the funds we gather, we split it between the orphanages, trying to balance the funds as we gather the necessary amount to build a new home for others. We've built around 54 and stopped 148 from going bankrupt."

Why was the boy finding out about this now, of all places? Sure, bringing up the fact they share ownership of over two hundred non-profitable orphanages isn't really a conversation starter, but considering Vastorie's track record, that was the last thing he pictured the man doing. He really was a strange case… full of unknown factors, morals and who knows what else he is hiding "What else?"

Nathaniel leaned forward, poking his son's nose "It's best to ask your father. I know you don't like Vastorie as much as me, but you have to give him a chance."

Daniel quirked an eyebrow, he gave Vastorie plenty of chances. The man was nothing but dirty innuendos and a long list of well, just as dirty misconducts "Oh, if only you knew how many…"

Nathaniel frowned slightly "I'm well aware of his misconducts, but I'm sure I've convinced him to stop being a perv for once in his life."

"And how has that been going…?"

The man sighed as he pressed a hand to his forehead "Brutal…"

With a roll of his eyes, Nathaniel took that as an opportunity to lead them back to the end destination. The closer they got, the louder the noise became. Daniel could hear it, someone chopping something in the kitchen, and when they entered, Daniel could see his father, back turned to them "So, who was at the door?"

"You'll be surprised!"

"Oh…? And if I turn around, I'll be greeted by said surprise? You were talking so highly about my exploits, so I imagine…" There was a sliding action, followed by a loud 'plop' as something was dropped into water. The man grabbed the towel from his shoulder wiping his hands as he turned around "we have gues-"

Vastorie stopped once he saw who was standing behind him. His son, and two other guests "You could have called first!"

"That's what you're leading with?" Daniel frowned at his father's first words "No, 'hi, son', you've brought guests…?"

Vastorie smirked at the response. His son has grown a lot, more differently than he expected "Who are you, and what have you done with my son! He was never this sassy!"

Now that, was the father he grew up with. Holding out his hand, Daniel walked towards his father, running into him as he crossed the halfway point of the kitchen "Dad!"

Vastorie smiled at the action, welcoming his son into his arms "Well, whoever you are mister, feel free to steal my son's life. I like the new him."

"Dad…" the boy whine as he pulled back, only now noticing the apron he was wearing, black with a pink heart, the caption saying 'I don't like to kiss and tell, but my food taste almost as good as me' "Really, dad…?"

"And… now his back." Vastorie shifted his weight, drawing his eyes to Killua, and girl by his side. She was oblivious to the caption, but a certain blushing boy told him, he knew what the apron said "Well, look who's back. Killua Zoldyck, and… well, that's definitely not Gon. Gon Freecss was a boy from what I last heard… not a pretty young, beautiful girl."

Alluka blushed at the compliment, no one, except for Killua has called her a pretty girl "I'm Alluka, Killua's little sister."

The man opened his mouth slightly, before smiling "A certain old man has a lot of explaining to do. If I had a sweet little girl like you, I'll be showing her off, not keeping her away hidden."

Killua froze at the words, something didn't sit right with him. The way he posed it, it almost sounded like he secretly knew about Alluka.

As Vastorie walked over to the fridge, he looked inside "Well, no rest for the wicked. I'm cooking for five I guess now."

"How did you know…?" Killua's voice was cold, dark and inquisitive. There was no way, Vastorie knew about his little sister Alluka. He's never met the man before, and his father hated the man, so there was no way his father would ever talk about Alluka in front of him.

The words made even Nathaniel freeze. Why was Killua being defensive, possibly protective of Alluka?

"Hmm…?"

Daniel raised an eyebrow at Killua, why was the boy being defensive all of a sudden "What did my dad say?"

"Daniel, he said: I'll be showing her off, not keeping away hidden…"

"Knowing things is what I do best." The man casually snapped back without a faint of care in the world "I've worked with your father on multiple occasions. As well as visit your home, a few times. I've never seen her, and considering how gloomy your home is…" Vastorie plucked out a vegetable from the fridge, showing it to the boys "Cabbage?"

When Killua's eyes narrowed, Vastorie sighed "It was an educated guess. I've never seen a photo of her, so I would imagine, the dark is where she was kept. Now, stop looking at me like I… defecated in your cereal."

"I've never seen you before!"

"Except that time at your second Hunter Exam." The man finger snapped left and right in the boy's direction, adding a flamboyant, sassy flair to the movement of quick accusation. He knew he was right, but if Killua wanted to argue all night, he has played this game on multiple occasions. He can throw tantrums all night if he wanted, and that still wouldn't stop him from arguing.

"Except then… I still don't believe you."

The man shrugged "take it as you will. Now, unless you want to starve tonight… would you like some cabbage?"

Killua reeled back in shock "What?"

Vastorie looked at the vegetable, then back to Killua "It's… cabbage? A vegetable? I'm sure you know what a vegetable is…"

"No- Yes! I mean why are you trying to divert the topic?"

"I'm not… I'm simply asking if you're ok with cabbage. I gotta know if any of you don't like anything, so I know not to cook wasted food in advanced."

Killua sighed, the man wasn't going to give up the information any time soon, so pressing it any more, will only further ruin the initial meeting "Yeah, sure that will be fine."

"Grand!" The man looked pleased as he returned back to fridge "Let's see what else I can find. Looks like I have a long discussion ahead, so I'm going to need a lot of food to sedate these hungry bunch of kids."

When he heard the growl of someone's stomach, it only made the man laugh even harder "REALLY, hungry kids…"

Killua only clutched his stomach, embarrassment flooding his cheeks. He couldn't believe he was this hungry, maybe he should've eaten a proper meal unlike the chocolates and deserts he devoured earlier.

Nathaniel only drew the children back, unable to believe for a second his husband willing suggested something he knew the others did not. He's done it before, acting like what he said didn't question the man's motives.

And even now, sometimes he was happy with his 'second' memories. It pulled his thoughts away from the true reality he sometimes forgot he lived in "Now, you two boys, and girl. Would you like to have a tour of the house, go to Daniel's room, or…?"

"Or…?" Daniel broached the topic, unsure where his father was headed.

"See the new dog?"

"Dog?!" Daniel beamed in delight. While he missed the old one, the fluffy blanket wrapping around him, having a new pet might mean he could create a few new memories, including introducing Alluka to a dog that doesn't want to kill you if you go through the wrong door "Killua, let's meet the dog, the tour can wait!"

Killua nodded, looking back at Daniel's father, Vastorie. The man swaying his hips from side to side as hummed in the fridge, looking for more ingredients. What are you hiding…?

"~"

Daniel expected a normal size dog, possibly even twice the size of him. When he saw it, he wasn't disappointed; the animal was laying down on the floor, huffing in annoyance as Killua prodded it "Looks like a hybrid of our dogs back at home… only lazier."

The dog whined at the boy, twisting his hips as he pushed him away with his butt.

Nathaniel chuckled, slapping his thighs as he called out to the dog "Daemon, up!"

The dog groaned, standing up as it walked ever so slowly towards the man.

"You named the dog Daemon…?"

"No, Vastorie did. And you'll see why in a moment. Daemon…" Nathaniel rummaged through his side packs, producing a dried piece of raw meat. The animal's features lit up, coming to life, but something was very wrong with it. Its eyes were hallowed black, green irises and streaks of redlining running through its thick hide. It looked fluffy earlier, but now that it was alive, he could see why Killua made the remark of it looking like a hound.

It charged the man, snapping at the meat as he held it high, the creature barely nipping at the contents "It's a sub-species of hell-hounds."

"We have a pet from the depths of HELL?!"

Nathaniel could only laugh "No, not that kind of hell-hound. The sub-species this one comes from is only called a hell-hound because it looked deadly in nature." As it continuously snapped at its food, Daniel could have only surmised that it was called a hell-hound for other reasons, mainly the way it acted during a treat "Are you sure…?"

"Yes, this is its favourite food. Dried, raw lean steak." When he threw the treat away, the animal chases it down like a ball as if it were playing fetch. They could hear the crunching in the background as Daniel's father continued "It doesn't have a preference to what kind of steak. But… once it does…"

Having had its treat, Daemon walked back towards Killua, rubbing its face against the boy's chest "It gets playful."

Nathaniel reached into his other pocket, pulling out a ball before throwing it to Daniel. He looked at the ball, inspecting it. It felt soft to the touch, but it also tough. As Daemon saw the ball, he chased after Daniel, wagging its tail in excitement. It looked odd, seeing black puppy dog eyes staring into his soul as it silently begged for the ball. Rather than throwing the ball, he took the dogs head in his arms, hugging it.

For a dog that's called a hell-hound, it's oddly affectionate. It nuzzled it's head in the boy's arms, whining pleasantly in the boy's arms, one paw wrapping around the boy, almost pulling him to the ground with its unsuspected strength.

It was strong, considering the boy knew Nen "His really…"

"Unnatural…" Killua accused the dog, but it didn't care to mind the boy's words. It simply continued to be affectionate.

Daniel pulled back, really feeling the animals skin. It was slightly fuzzy, possibly still growing out its fur. But it was none-of-the-less, it was still soft to the touch now that he was patting it.

Daniel stood up, throwing the ball as Daemon chased it down "looks are deceiving."

Nathaniel nodded as he looked at the animal getting lost in the bushes, searching for the lost ball "He's a rescue."

"Vastorie…?" Killua pondered as the dog came back to him for some reason. Killua ruffled its flabby skin, holding it in place as he ushered Alluka over. Alluka held the dog in her arms, hugging it affectionately. She fell in love with it, the way it acted, somehow reminded her of both Killua and Daniel, it had the best traits of both, Daniel's affectionate nature, and Killua's warmth, it wanton need to hold anyone's attention without praise or desires.

"No, this one was all me. Its nature is pleasant, but because of the abuse it got in the sanctuary it was being held at, by the other animals. It became distant…" Nathaniel smiled for a moment before looking back at the boys "It reminds me of a certain someone."

"Certainly not me!" Daniel held up his hands defensively.

"Oh, definitely not you. I'm talking about someone else. Anyways, you can ride it as well. We don't have a harness, but if one of you want to hop on, I could take you for a joy ride."

Alluka stuck up her hand before anyone could consider the idea "I want to!"

Killua reeled back in disbelief "What, no… it could be dangerous… you could fall off or something."

"Killua…" Daniel walked over to the boy, smiling at him "I trust Nathaniel. And I know, even though this is your first time meeting him… you can trust him too."

Killua pouted from being ganged up on, Alluka's expression of having a new favourite toy being ripped right out of her hand. Killua eventually gave up with a sigh "Fine…" He threw the ball at the hell-hound letting it chase it down as Nathaniel was forced to go after it "but promise me you'll make… I guess uncle Nathaniel stops if you don't want to do it anymore."

Alluka nodded in glee as the boy turned to Daniel "I'll trust your judgement here."

The boys watched as Nathaniel held it down, explaining to the girl where to hold onto, Killua watching the whole scene unfold with inspecting eyes, once the man was done, he picked the girl up from her arms, placing her carefully back down onto the dog, and the next taking a leash to wrap it around Daemon's neck.

"You're right to come here first." Killua nonchalantly commented, never once looking away from the scene.

"I know…" Daniel returned back the boy's kind words by entwining his fingers around Killua's.

Killua returned the gesture, but, he was unable to look his boyfriend in the eyes. He was hesitating, unwilling to witness the expression; the love and affection that Daniel will show through his features.

Daniel, however, didn't let Killua's lack of attention deter him from continuing "I'm happy to see them. Mostly Nathaniel. Although, I'm still scared of how Vastorie is going to act around your sister. Hopefully, there'll be… no innuendos. Of any sexual kind…"

Killua unconsciously smiled at the scene unfold before him, attention now being drawn to Daniel once he realised how safe Nathaniel was being with Alluka. He could relax, or at least he thought he could, but the moment he looked at his boyfriend, a part of him wishes he hadn't. He'd fallen in a deep trap, one he couldn't crack a bone or two to help him slip out of.

A sweet, smitten look… the one once upon a time, he wished Gon gave him that look. It was unconscious of course, because back then he honestly had no clue he wanted it. But now… he could feel his expression melting at the warmth of that smile.

All it would take is the boy to lean forward a couple of inches, and he could devour it like chocolate, sweet and innocent to the touch. Well, in Killua's own opinion, Daniel was innocent. The way he broached the topic of sex is how he originally imagined both Gon and Daniel would do it: I don't know what's going on with my body, Killua… why do I feel tingly down here?

Although, what Daniel had said was different from how he imagined them saying it. He said, quote I think I want you sexually unquote. Back then it took him off guard because his sister was in the same room as them. But now, if Alluka got her own room, he wouldn't mind getting a bit frisky… provided Daniel still wanted to go ahead with the plan.

Killua leaned forward, aiming to kiss the boy as Daniel followed suit.

"Ahem…" The boys froze, both looking in the direction of the voice. There Vastorie stood meters away from them, on a patch of empty grass, a wooden spoon in one hand, still wearing the apron he was sporting in the kitchen earlier. How he snuck up on them, neither of them knew, but he had a wicked smile, one that just says 'I caught my son red-handed with a boy in his arms' "before you 'two' hit first base, do you mind going upstairs to have a shower. Dinner will be ready in 15 minutes…"

"But-"

"I don't want to hear the juicy lovebirds' gossip, just yet. Save it for dinner."

And like that, the man left without another word, Daniel and Killua left blushing in each other's arms "I- I'll show you to the shower. A- and then get you a change of clothes. Hopefully, I have some clothes that fit you…"

"Y- Yeah…"

Awkwardly the two headed upstairs, the moment of tenderness destroyed by the one-man Daniel had hoped he wouldn't. On the plus side, at least he didn't care it was with Killua, unlike Zaikaria who was adamant about stopping Daniel from pursuing him.

Still… that meant the worse was still to come.