Featured Songs:
We like to party -Beyonce ft Andre 3000
The EP tracks music sampler: Better by GEO - High by Jida - May I have this dance by EMBRZ meadowlark

I want to thank Lena from AO3 for the spotify music playlist I always wanted! Now everyone can listen to that if it's more convenient than the youtube music list! Check out my tumblr for the link if you would like (and if it doesn't show up on fanfic)
playlist/10pDbxDaRMzGnhJJFISmiJ?si=TBY7MmSxSvq7RicisEOWeQ

Thank you to Tegelpannan, Guest, and Lousears for reviewing my last chapter, it really gave me the motivation to get these next four chapters out.

BaW Chapter 21

TUI Chap 8 - Sing-a-long songs


Killua smiled at his phone as he watched Gon's text show up in little bubbles, telling him the latest formatting of his music CV resume. These past couple of months have been fairly gracious to them as they succeeded in checking off needed music experience to add to Gon's resume. Now Gon's resume was a shining example of experience and impressive feats in a neatly compiled format. Killua's sure when Gon starts slamming studios for a contract, they can't easily refuse. It's not everyday they can find talent so young and still in school-so the full potential wasn't even realized yet.

Killua clicked his phone screen closed with smooth disguised movements, watching his father move past with a large looming presence- a lion stalking the grounds as the unopposed king of the pride. Silva finished his stride, turning the chair at the sound booth to sit and face the soundproof glass. Illumi and Amane stood inside, shuffling through their papers and speaking softly to each other about the tones and emotions they'll use throughout the song they were about to perform. It was obvious how professional they were from their stature and the way they carried themselves behind the looked good together, but anyone could see the chemistry stopped at surface level- it was truly an arrangement between two strangers.

Killua eyed the back of Silva's head: the reason Gon wasn't with them to witness more inner workings during recordings at the Zoldyck recording studio right now. It hasn't been complicated or difficult to bring Gon along to their other recordings, even with Milluki around, and show Gon with ease. But Killua knew bringing Gon around would be a mistake if his father was involved with the recording. It would lead to questions and roads he wasn't ready to travel down with someone who just newly entered his life.

It was time to start creating Illumi's and Amane's couple album- Illumi's soundtrack, introducing Amane- to set the stage of their eventual marriage announcement. Time to step up to the world stage.

"Alright." Silva smiled with a charismatic gleam in his eyes. "You guys are ready?" He asked, fiddling with the recording studio control board. Silva was very proficient and familiar with the equipment needed for the recording, looking professional and more at ease than even piggy behind the board- maybe. Illumi looked through the glass at his father, sitting and expecting perfection as usual. He turned to Amane and nodded.

"We're ready to go." Illumi said, musically impassive like a perfect bot. Perfect, Silva would get.

"Great. Let's get started." Silva ticked a switch to life.

The music cue started up and Illumi and Amane swayed a bit to the beat, integrating the beat and rhythm to their movements to keep the flow of the music. Illumi stepped up to the mic to sing.

"You a bad girl, and your friend's bad too… We got the swag sauce, she drippin swagu.." Illumi sang out on a relatively slow beat. He sounded as spot on as always, the notes and timing pleasing to the ear of anyone who hears. "You a bad girl and your friends bad too… You got the swag sauce, she drippin swagu."

Amane stepped up to her mic as Illumi finished his verse, quickly pulling away from the mic. "I may be young, but I'm ready! To give you all my love…" Amane sang, cradling notes in the air as she read the words. "I told my girls you can get it… Don't slow it down, just let it go! So in love, I'll give it all away… Just don't tell nobody tomorrow. So tonight, I'll do it every way, Speakers knocking 'til the morning light!"

Silva nodded to the beat, headphones over one side of his ears so he could hear the duo's enunciation and emphasis, to be able to offer advice after. They weren't done adding layers of music, sound, and harmony yet, but Killua can already imagine the finished project- something worthy to put the Zoldyck label on. Piggy and Kalluto were bouncing their heads to the soothing beats too, Killua knew everyone approved of the music.

"'Cause we like to party, hey! Hey! hey! hey! hey! Hey!" Illumi joined Amane for harmony during the chorus. 'Cause we like to party, hey! Hey! hey! hey! hey! Hey! 'Cause we like to party!"

"Your touch is driving me crazy! I can't explain the way I feel… Top down, with the radio on and the night belongs to us, Just hold me close, don't let me go…" Amane sang with bravado, closing her eyes as she held her notes out with beautiful vibrations in her voice. She listened to the music cues and launched into the next verses with confidence and with ease. Amane should feel nervous standing in the Zoldyck's presence, in their family owned music studio- in front of her prestigious fiance's family, with nothing here for her except herself. But all she felt was fired up and motivated to show she could keep up, show off, and demonstrate why exactly she was chosen out of all the idols in the world to be his match. They were making quick progress through the song's first run, Illumi's passive and controlled voice lending to the composed rapping verses perfectly.

"... Spit this shit for reallo, Brain Brillo- Kiddo say he looks up to me, this just makes me feel old. Never thought that we could become someone else's hero. Man, we were just in the food court eating our gyros. Yesterday, that's the way, every single morning I try to pray, Grandmom and them they never forgot and nothing else really mean nothing to me..." Illumi flicked his eyes to and from the music sheet as he sang to make sure his singing and rapping didn't sound too much like sheet reading. As Illumi got into a groove, he carefully bounced his movements to keep it going. Illumi brought his own style and great diction to the songs, as always, with little direction needed. They made sure to match each other's energies for the song, creating harmony.

"'Cause we like to party, hey! Hey! hey! hey! hey! Hey! 'Cause we like to party, hey! Hey! hey! hey! hey! Hey! 'Cause we like to party!"

Killua flicked his eyes over to Silva. Killua hadn't hung out with his father in a while, but he knew when his father was impressed. It was obvious they worked great together. And Silva was more than pleased that their staged relationship would publicize so well.

Silva called for them to get ready and do it again. He instructed them on the different singing atmosphere he wanted this time around. They voiced their agreement and Killua sighed as he sat back, the wonders of the music and the process finally letting him out of its trance. Killua still wondered how Illumi was taking all of this. He feels like Illumi's been almost avoiding him when it dealt with this marriage situation. Killua felt the need to investigate further but that was a much too uncomfortable position to put himself in. He could say they were closer when him and Illumi were younger, but now there was just a… frigid air Killua would have to withstand if he decided to try and suddenly pick Illumi's brains.

Illumi's eyes met his briefly through the glass in the moment Illumi took a fleeting glance away from his music sheet. The eye contact lingered before Killua looked away. It was going to be a lot of that, and obviously Killua was not ready for confrontation just to get some answers that doesn't affect him. Killua heard the music cue start up and Illumi spit fire into the mic.


The small record company was tucked between larger city buildings, the size differences obvious from the street view. The storefront misled the visage of professionalism it promised as a company working towards its clients' fame, but the upstart worked with what it had. Gon smiled at the receptionist at the front desk, giving a small nod before he turned and exited onto the street. With a small sigh, Gon shrugged his green jacket up to his neck to keep out the biting late winter wind. Gon took out his phone as he walked down the sidewalk, sighing again at seeing all the forwarded emails from Killua, ranging from entertainment one-off jobs to music record companies to apply to.

Gon knew Killua was just trying to help, and he wasn't upset at Killua for offering all the opportunities, but Gon's been applying to so many jobs and looking for so many contracts for so long, it was getting disheartening. And he could already hear Killua in his head, 'Companies are less likely to hire students while they're still in school, so this isn't unusual.'

But Gon still wanted to be employed already.

Gon pouted from things not going the way he wanted them to. He turned into a small book cafe, looking around as soft classical music filled the air around him. His eyes were drawn to a small movement in the corner of his eye, a wave, and Gon beamed, feeling better at least for a moment as he saw one of his friends: Kurapika. Gon made his way over.

"Hey, Kurapika! I feel like it's been forever! I'm happy we could catch up again!" Gon said with a smile, his movements big as he threw the chair back and sat down. Kurapika smiled as he put down his book next to his tea. Gon could smell that it was honey lemon.

"Hello Gon. It has been a long time. Thanks for reaching out and offering to meet up with me at my favorite store." Kurapika said. "So how have you been?" He asked. Gon let out another sigh as he thought about exactly what he wanted to take his mind off of.

"Well, of course I wouldn't mind coming to a place you like, it's a chance to learn more about you, after all!" Gon said to sidetrack the main question, feeling pretty successful in the process. Kurapika smiled, giving his throat a small rub.

"Yes, well, I do enjoy this atmosphere. With a cup of tea, I usually create skeletons for my musical compositions pretty easily." Kurapika said.

"Ah, this is where the musical genius comes up with his songs, huh?" Gon chuckled teasingly and Kurapika laughed a bit bashfully, ending with a throat clearing cough.

"Oh, Gon, I doubt my songs are anywhere near genius level." Kurapika tried to dismiss with a wave of his hand.

"You go to Musica academy like the rest of us. We all know how great you are. Your level of music scoring and composition is fantastic." Gon said with an encouraging smile, taking Kurapika's waving hand out of the air into his own.

"Mh, so Gon, how has your semester been?" Kurapika asked instead, taking his hand back to take another sip of tea.

"It's been…" Gon trailed off, hoping to have had better news to tell Pika by now. His eyes widened with realization. "Have you been working on new music?" Gon asked with importance in his voice. Kurapika frowned.

"I… yes, agreed to make an EP with Melody, and we've been composing new sentimental and emotive songs." Kurapika said.

"Ah, an extended play, and you've been singing for them?" Gon asked with an arched eyebrow. Kurapika hesitated a moment, looking to one side. Gon was always so perceptive, it always made Kurapika nervous to meet up with him. Kurapika was never sure what subtle hints he's giving off for Gon to pick up on without Kurapika knowing.

"I...have."

"Is that why your throat is hurting so much now?" Gon asked, matter-of-factly.

"I may… have blown over doing my warm-ups. I didn't feel it necessary for short sessions of singing-" Kurapika started, inexplicably feeling the need to explain himself.

"Pika, I know your main thing is instrumental, but you should know how important vocal warm-ups are! You could get injured." Gon scolded over Kurapika speaking. "You should know that warming up is needed, even more specifically for you because you don't sing as often- to make sure you don't pull your muscles after not using it in that way in a while." Gon said, Kurapika listening quietly. Kurapika sighed, closing his eyes, resigned.

"I can't believe I have to be lectured by an underclassmen." Kurapika said, opening his eyes in a smooth motion. The two of them smiled with quiet chuckles after a beat.

"Well, you're my senpai, but I know more than you when it comes to the singing department. How long have you been doing the EP, with such unsafe practices?" Gon teased. Kurapika sighed again, but couldn't help his smile tugging at his lips.

"It's been a couple weeks." He said. Gon made a face.

"Mh, that doesn't sound too good. It's good you started drinking tea, but it's kinda hindsight on damage done. You might have vocal nodules. You should go see Leorio so it doesn't get worse." Gon said. Kurapika's nose scrunched at the mention of the new school's nurse.

"Leorio? Why?" Kurapika asked, little interest evident. Gon grinned like he just got a chance to promote merchandise.

"Leorio's great! Haha, I hurt myself a couple times during the semester and went straight to him! He always has the right fix for me like he already knew I was coming, and he does it super fast!" Gon explained with bright eyes. "Leorio always gives me good advice too, on how not to get hurt again! I can't listen to all of the advice, because, well, I got stuff to do, but he knows what he's talking about! I've swung by just to talk to him at times! Ah, I wish I knew him when I was younger and didn't have to spend money on the doctors when I had to fix my vocal nodes. You should at least try it! I'll go with you if you'd like!" Gon babbled and Kurapika felt Gon poke at that soft spot he had for him.

"Alright… alright yea, I'll try going to him for my nodules." Kurapika consented. They finished up their conversation and food while Gon heard more information on the EP. The music tracks were filled with plenty of instrumental mashups and inspirational lyrics- it was very Senretsu brand that Kurapika's voice lended so nicely to. Gon begrudgingly told Kurapika about his dry results as well. They travelled back to the school, Gon assuring Kurapika that Leorio was still there even though it was after school hours. And Leorio was, in fact, still there, completing files and records, and playing minesweeper on the side.

"Ah! You caught me! Gon! How have you been, my boy?" Leorio greeted, standing for company.

"Hi Leorio!" Gon beamed and Kurapika looked between the two of them curiously. This man couldn't be too bad if Gon reacted so positively and brightly around him. Gon was like a puppy in that way- Gon's instincts were trustworthy if he decided to like someone.

"It's my friend, Kurapika." Gon said, and Kurapika was brought to attention. Kurapika had zoned out during their brief catching up between friends. The tall man's warm eyes landed on him and Kurapika pressed his lips together before holding out a hand to shake his hand.

"How do you do?" Kurapika asked the man, cladded in the sterile white of the nurse's uniform.

"I'm doing great. So what seems to be the problem?"

"Nothing, I'm feeling quite fine actually." Kurapika said.

"Pika!" Gon said, surprised at Kurapika's blatant and automatic lie about his wellbeing.

"That's ok Gon, I get that alot. I just need to ask more specific questions of the symptoms he might feel." Leorio chuckled.

"It's his throat." Gon offered to give Lerio a general starting place.

"Ah, great, thanks." Leorio said and pulled out his stethoscope. "Ah." Leorio said and Kurapika gave the nurse one more quick look over before complying and opening his mouth.

Leorio performed a brief checkover procedure and Leorio scolded Kurapika on not taking care of his throat while exaggerating how bad it was. Kurapika told him as much and told Leorio his bedside skills were terrible for someone who was supposed to be in the medical profession. Leorio took offense, saying there is always something everyone could improve on, this was his! Gon was just amused that they fought so comfortably like they hadn't met just minutes before. But he couldn't focus on the exchange, not when Kurapika gave him a great idea.

He didn't have to wait for a music company to make music. Sure they make it easier and help him make money off it but he could still make music on his own like he did before.

He'll start with an EP.

-0`0`0`0`-

"Gon, that's a great idea!" Killua smiled, the paintbrush dripping red paint from his hand. Gon smiled, tugging the paint bucket under Killua's brush to keep it from soiling the stage floor.

"Right? I'm actually pretty excited for this! I haven't been this excited for something in a long time." Gon grinned. Killua smiled softly, having already noted this a while ago. Gon seemed so down and disheartened from all the record companies not picking him up. Anyone would after trying so hard and getting rejected multiple times. Killua's glad this has him ready and excited for music again, the way he was when he first entered the school all hopeful. But he would never say this mushy stuff to Gon outloud.

"That's good, I would be happy to help you out with music composition and lyrics. Just like last semester." Killua said, bringing the paintbrush down to streak red over the large set props to paint it like a throne room.

"Oh, Killua, that's supposed to be gold here." Gon said, firmly grabbing Killua's wrist to keep him from painting past the outline for the gold. Killua tsked, tossing his brush to the shallow pan.

"Oh, what ever, why are we doing this?" Killua complained again for the 3rd time in the last half hour. They were in the theater after school painting scene props and sets, to get ready for the play and dress rehearsals. This was really supposed to be just stagehands working on the sets this week, but Gon volunteered to help since Killua was going to be there (and looking like he was about to short circuit). After Gon volunteered, the other performing students also volunteered to help out.

"Many hands make the work light!" Ponzu had chirped, quickly taking to helping with wiring. Killua mimicked her before they started on the paint jobs with a few other workers.

"What kind of low production play can't get proper sets?" Killua asked, waving his hands while Gon sighed, filling in the gold where Killua stopped. Gon just listened to Killua's short rant patiently.

"A high school one?" Gon offered.

"They should be able to afford it, with how much money this place costs!" Killua griped again. Gon gave a nod with a tight lipped smile. "I mean, can't they hire someone to do this grunt work?"

"That would be the stagehands." Gon said. "Come on, it's not so bad, many hands make the work-"

"Uh- no, don't you finish that sentence." Killua sneered, pointing at his boyfriend's button nose. Gon groaned with laughter lacing his voice before taking Killua's hand and pulling him into his lap.

"Hey, I would love to do this EP with you. It would be fun." Gon smiled, and kissed Killua. Killua blushed up to his ears and pushed a hand into Gon's face, smushing it to one side with Gon laughed brightly.

"Gon…! I said not at school..!" Killua groaned, rolling out his lap. That was one way to shut him up.

"We just need help with the production aspects. I would never try to ask you to use your Zoldyck resources, so… I'll look around for some favors." Gon said, rolling to sit on his knees. Killua nodded, glancing around to see if anyone noticed the kiss.

"Sure, I'll ask around too. Maybe that, uh, Harian knows how to get your stuff published." Killua said.

"That's a great idea, Killua." Gon said, going back to painting with fever. He was ready to get out of there now that he had a clear game plan. Killua smiled and started helping out.

That night, Gon called Killua from his bed, Killua answered while he was getting ready for bed.

"Yo, Gon, you talked to her?" Killua asked.

"Yea, and you won't believe who she said has a start-up music brand!" Gon asked. "Can you come over right after school tomorrow to help me write up some samples?"


Songs:
We like to party -Beyonce ft Andre 3000
The EP tracks music sampler: Better by GEO - High by Jida - May I have this dance by EMBRZ meadowlark

Feeling depressed, and I don't want this story to become a victim to it, so I'm gonna be trying to put out as much content as I can as to try and keep my momentum up.