I'm really bad at updating in a timely manner and keeping my promises, thanks again for everyone's patience while I update. I wish I could say I am motivated enough to write for the love of my story, I found out I really do thrive and feed on reviews and comments! I would especially like to thank a couple new readers who left such nice comments on my chapters and motivated me to push this chapter out! I promise I read every single one and loved all the nice long comments and compliments! Thank you Lazulynne, and AmandaLime for reviewing on my *cough* better chapters and making em feel like I can finish this story still! Hope you guys are still reading and enjoying! and Thanks for the recommendations! Enjoy!

Music List:
Fireflies - Owl City


BaW Chapter 27

Alluka Heights Arc Chapter 2

Fireflies

Killua couldn't stop smiling. He couldn't stop looking at Alluka. He couldn't stop drinking in every expression Alluka made as they walked up to the Academy, stars in her eyes. She was so excited to start, and Killua could practically see her vibrating out of her skin, ready for this new adventure.

Music was always a big thing in his life, for their whole family, but it's never been worth it for him if he didn't enjoy it. But unlike Killua, Alluka never stopped loving music. The whole time she was living as an outcast to her own family, she valued it like a lifeline. Her energy was like resurrecting the child in Killua, the one that still had a large curiosity and love for music, excited to hear the notes dance around each other, and ready to learn the next lesson, together. He never thought he would ever feel this way again after they were separated, after his family sucked the fun out of music. But now he was living a dream he didn't know he had, going to school for music with his sister.

Gon bumped his shoulders a bit as they walked, and Killua took his eyes off his sister for the first time in the last half hour, to smile at the other teen that also helped him get his sister back. He didn't know how he got so lucky to have his two favorite people next to him that makes him love music again.

He was happy Gon was here to do this with him. This summer, after they sent in Alluka's application for the Academy and she went to the audition session, Killua was worried about what they would say about her singing. Killua was practicing her song and pitch right up til they called her into the auditorium, and he hoped she remembered all the notes. Gon was next to him, assuring him and being a grounding presence when Killua was stressed. When Alluka came out at the end, Netero came out with her as well, and Killua didn't know if he should feel scared or excited. He just tried to be brave.

Netero filled them in on his decision. Alluka would be enrolled into Musica Academy, but the rigorous nature of the classes meant she couldn't keep up with the skill level she was at now. She would be in special classes that worked at her pace with teachers who had the time. Based on her audition, Netero also assigned that Killua would work one-on-one with her during the school year (which Netero said while winking at him). Netero obviously meant it as a favor to have Killua's school time spent with his sister and singing with her. That old man had too much instinct for his own good. Killua was delighted and Gon squeezed both the Zoldyck siblings in a big hug.

The three students filtered into the school, following the crowd entering the Academy for the new school year. Alluka's face lit up as she took in the bright hallways and art along the walls, welcoming students back.

"Alluka, if you keep spinning around like that, you'll get yourself dizzy. Or trip on something." Killua teased, side stepping her away from an oncoming flux of students. She just let out a giggle, but couldn't keep herself from trying to take in as much as possible. Gon couldn't blame her, he doesn't think he looked very different the first time he went into the Academy. "We still gotta get your schedule." Killua said, pointing at their next turn, and turning a corner with her.

"Ah, Kil-!" Gon called as he turned with them.

"Oh, sorry, are you-...?"

Alluka was barely watching where she was going again, and had bumped into Zushi just then on their way to the front office. Alluka nearly collided with Zushi before Zushi pulled her steady, hands on her arms, Killua being a step too late to do it himself. Zushi stalled, with an awed expression staring at Alluka and Alluka flushed before smiling widely, pushing her bangs behind her ears.

"Hi!" She beamed.

"Wow..." Zushi breathed.

"Hey, Zushi," Killua greeted as he stepped out from behind Alluka, happy no one was hurt. "This is my little sister Alluka. Alluka, this is one of Gon's friends, Zushi." Killua said with a teasing lithe. Gon let out a small laugh at that.

"Hey, you guys are friends, too!" Gon said, nuding Killua with his elbow. Killua brushed him off.

"I know, I'm just teasing.." Killua said, before his smile fell with a confused pout. "But Zushi didn't really catch that. You know I'm just kidding, right?" Killua asked, turning to the two younger teens. But they were still just looking at each other. Were they even listening to him?

"Alluka, right? That's a beautiful name." Zushi grinned, sticking his hands in his pockets. Alluka giggled.

"Thanks, I like your name too." She said, and Zushi swooned over her giggle.

"Heyyy, what a second…" Killua said, narrowing his eyes at the two of them, his protective big brother instinct charging up. Zushi heard that telltale note of intense energy and glanced at Killua, then Gon. Gon made an o face as he quickly connected the pieces and knew what Killua was about to do. He took Killua's hand and swung him to his chest. Killua could only let out a small surprised noise before Gon was kissing him, dipping him slightly. Killua was easily distracted from the situation and swept away by the kiss, eyes fluttering shut, enchanted by Gon, like always. Zushi grinned relieved as Killua was thoroughly distracted.

"Did you get your schedule yet? I can show you around?" Zushi offered.

"Ah, sure!" Alluka said shyly. She turned to wave her farewell to Gon and Killua, unbothered by their kissing- but they didn't notice. "I'll text them later." She shrugged with a walked off, acquainting themselves with each other.

"So what year are you? I'm in my first year." Zushi said.

"Yea? Me too, maybe you can help me in a couple classes…?" Alluka asked.

Gon parted from Killua with a small peck and Killua blinked and looked back at Gon with a dazed expression. Gon grinned back, feeling the same electric thrill in his stomach he always gets when Killua looks at him with enraptured attention. It might get to Gon's head a little every time he's able to affect Killua like this, so much that Killua can forget where he is.

It's worth it every time even when Killua's expression clears as he remembers just where he is and squeezes Gon's shoulders so hard it hurts as Killua flushes in embarrassment.

"Gon…!" Killua hissed, looking around. "Not-"

"I know, not in public, I just couldn't help myself when you're so cute and-"

"Where's Alluka?" Killua asked, cutting Gon off from his attempts to distract him, glancing around concerned.

"Heehee," Gon chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly as he held Killua around the waist with his other hand, while Killua spun in his hold, looking around the hallway.

"I sorta helped them make a getaway." Gon admitted. Killua turned to look at him sharply.

"Hah?" Killua asked, incredulously."What do you mean- a getaway?"

"Well, Zushi wanted to make friends with Alluka, and she said she'll text you later, so they went to get her schedule!" Gon chirped.

"I missed all that?" Killua asked, flushing more knowing it was because he was kissing Gon. Gon laughed more heartily, deeper as he settled into his new tone over time and age.

"It's not your fault, I'm a little distracting." Gon winked. Killua groaned and put his head on his shoulder before punching his arm, pulling back.

"You did it on purpose, Alluka needs me on the first day!" Killua cried.

"Ow!" Gon complained, "Baby, I know you want to protect her, but she's ok, and excited to get started on her new adventure! If she needs you, she'll know where to find you. Just let her… find herself a little, yea?" Gon said, putting an arm over Killua's shoulders and leading him off to their lockers, greeting a couple of people welcoming them back to the school year. Killua sighed miserably.

"… yea, I get that… I'm just worried about anyone giving her problems for not being as talented as they expect a Zoldyck to be…" Killua said. He knows he shouldn't be trying to meddle with her first real life interaction with people her age, but he couldn't help but be protective…

"She's not here as a Zoldyck, you made sure of that. And you know the majority of the school stopped being so judgemental last year- they hated that too. She'll be ok. And again, if she's not, she'll always go to you first." Gon grinned. Killua smiled softly, and Gon has never seen a more beautiful sight.

"You always know what to say… yea, ok." Killua hummed. "Alright, new school year, new problems. But we'll tackle it together. Ready, Freeces?" Killua asked, looking at Gon.

"Always!" Gon chirped, looking ahead.


Killua let out a breath as he walked into an empty classroom, a smaller size for exclusive classes and independent study. While listening to his silver headphones playing low bass music, Killua pulled out his schedule to study. It was modified to accommodate more independent study times- to match with his sister's independent study time schedule. He had Dance 301 in the morning, independent study time, Music Arrangement 1-4 and then more independent study, with assignments given to him to complete and turn in to show his progress.

It was a trade off, in being able to be one of Alluka's instructors, his school day won't be regular like the past semesters- and unable to share as many classes with Gon. Killua was hoping to explore more of his creative outlets and singing this year during classes- he was the most comfortable doing that with Gon by his side and encouraging Killua. But Killua supposed he shouldn't depend on Gon to push his limits all the time- he should take risks on his own! What did Gon say before? Sing like no one is listening? But it made him anxious, so he would be crutching hard on his headphones and songs for a bit.

He was brought out of his thoughts when the door to the classroom opened. A beat passed then Alluka's head popped in timidly. Killua grinned, and he pulled the headphones from over his ears down to around his neck.

"Alluka." Killua greeted, standing up to go meet her. She grinned and came further in to reach him halfway and hug him.

"Brother!" Alluka said, hugging him. He pulled back to look her over.

"How has your day been so far?" Killua asked, leading them to a couple of comfortable seats by the whiteboard.

"It's been pretty good, there were a couple of people who gave me weird looks, but I ignored them and just listened to the teacher. They told me before class started to not feel pressured to participate in class yet." She said.

Killua hummed in response to let her know he was listening, but tried not to show any reaction yet. If those people were trying to be mean to Alluka, he was going to ruin their career, he would surely not let them rest. It was possible they were just judging her like a Zoldyck, someone who decides that she's too good to sing with them.

"Which class was this?" Killua asked, trying to keep his tone light.

"Oh, this was that Music Basics class with Zushi. And don't look so angry, brother, they don't know I'm a Zoldyck so I'm sure they don't hate me." She said, taking his hand. Killua made a surprised face, he was seen right through, huh?

"I forgot…" He chuckled, rubbing small circles on the back of her hand. They had entered her into the school under an alias, her stage name, 'Alluka Heights.' They thought long and hard of what it should be, but they liked the ring to it, and it would indicate how she would reach new heights and succeed, without their family's help. There was no limits to how high she could go.

"I know you're worried, but I'm just excited! I'll definitely let you know if you need to get involved, ok?" She asked, cupping his face a moment. Killua leaned into it before nodding. They'll look out for each other. Like they always did. Like Killua will do- better than he did before.

"Alright, well, what do the rest of your classes look like?" Killua asked, sitting back.

"After this block of independent studies, I will have Performance and Personality 101, and independent studies with a couple of different professors. They also said I could go to you if I need you." She said a bit shyly. Killua nodded, and patted her head.

"That's right, you can. Ok, I remember those classes, so we'll work on those lessons and basics from the classes, and then take things slow on the harder things." Killua said, starting to get up.

"Oh, wait, brother, what are you listening to?" She said, just as Killua got up. He paused, and glanced at the headphones around his neck. He forgot he left the music playing when he took them off his ears. She must have heard the beats as they sat together. He took off the wireless headphones from around his neck and put it onto Alluka's head, a soft smile on his face.

~'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs

From ten thousand lightning bugs

As they tried to teach me how to dance

A foxtrot above my head

A sock hop beneath my bed

A disco ball is just hanging by a thread

(Thread, thread...)

I'd like to make myself believe

That planet Earth turns slowly …!

"...Wow, big brother, this song sounds so pretty…!" Alluka gasped louder than normal, not hearing past the soundproof. Killua smiled, and pulled it down back to her shoulders. "You like songs like this?" She asked, amazed at the sounds.

"Yea, it sounds nice, bass and fun beats around the tempo." Killua admitted, picking up a white erase marker. "Don't get distracted from the music." He said, writing out ledger lines on the board to prepare the music scales.

"... If this is the kind of sound brother likes, I want my music to sound like this." She said after a couple moments passed of comfortable silence while Killua prepared the board. He turned to face her. "I want it to sound so pretty…whimsical and fun." She covered her cheeks a bit embarrassed. Killua smiled and went to the other whiteboard and wrote 'Fireflies.'

"Alright. We can definitely start making a profile of what you'd like your music to sound like, and outline what parts of the music stand out to you and would like to make a part of your sound." Killlua said with a smile. "Thanks for telling me, it's important in the music career to know what direction you want, and now we can go for that." He said. "You can keep listening as we study in this block, and let me know whenever you like the sound. We'll add it to the list." Killua said. Alluka grinned, pleased to have been praised. She pulled out her notebook, Nanika hanging like a charm from the corner, and began taking notes.

"Yes sir!" She said playfully.


Gon laughed as he left the last class of the day with a couple of his friends, before he spotted Killua leaning against the lockers. He gasped happily, and turned to the small group of students, waving them off and skipped to Killua who looked up lazily at him.

"Hi, did you wait for me?" Gon asked, wrapping an arm around Killua's waist to pull him closer and kiss his cheek. But Killua didn't react much, or even uncross his arms. Gon made a quizzical noise.

"You look like you're having fun." Killua said, turning his head away.

Oh.

Gon grinned. His boyfriend can be so childish sometimes.

"I am having fun…" Gon admitted with a teasing smile, and predictably, Killua's frown deepened as he finally looked at Gon properly.

"Hm… I didn't realize you don't need me around as much as I thought…" Killua turned his head away, but this time with a pout. Gon laughed, turned Killua bodily to kiss the pout, and Killua hit Gon weakly but didn't look too put off from the affection.

"But I like having you around, I want to have you around." Gon said with amusement and gave Killua's jaw another kiss. He saw Killua grudgingly try not to smile. "And I definitely miss having you in class with me. I have Reading and Writing for Musicians that deals with a bunch of case studies of sheet music we have to dissect. And in Music Arrangement, we have to make music samples every week! " Gon said, ending in a whine. Killua was finally smiling, amused. "It's so hard, and I know you would help me if you were in class with me! But I know you're working hard with your sister in independent studies." Gon encouraged. Killua nodded.

"Yea, we already got started on her basics." Killua smiled, pride glowing in his features. "And you know I can always help you with your studies too." Killua said, cupping Gon's jaw. Gon grinned, leaning into it.

"You're already going to be studying with and teaching Alluka, don't burn yourself out, ok? Kurapika can help me too if you're busy." Gon said, and Killua sighed playfully.

"Yea, fine, I guess I trust his expertise." Killua hummed with a scrunched nose. Out of the few people in school who Killua would say could keep up with his musical talent, Kurapika was up there.

"Ok. And you can tell me if you feel jealous, it's a cute color on you. And I'll always reassure you, ok?" Gon said, and kissed his cheek again. No one could replace his favorite person. Killua scoffed, but flushed, caught.

"What did I say about PDA!?" Killua said instead, bopping Gon's noise. Gon made a surprised noise, but then Gon's hand was grabbed before he could recover and lead to the school's exit.

"What's your plan for today?" Killua asked. He still hasn't told either Alluka or Gon that he's staying in the Zoldyck house and doing whatever they want for Alluka's freedom. But they don't need to know that yet. It'll work itself out.

"I actually have to go into the studio today. They want me to have a meeting with a music writer and talk about the music they want me to start recording." Gon said. "I'm pretty excited about it! Soon, I'll have my name out there!" Gon could barely even fathom. That was the dream, the goal. The first step to World Star. People will be absorbing his content with his name on it. Killua grumbled.

"Yea? Alright, then. I'll just go home with Alluka and we'll see you there, ok?" Killua said. He hoped for more time to hang out.

"Yea, ok. I'll try not to be long." Gon grinned and kissed his cheek. Killua pulled him back before Gon could pull away completely and kissed him properly. Gon smiled a little love sick grin, he can't get over how lucky he is.

"There he is!"

A man with short buzzed hair, a greasy mustache, and large sunglasses (even though he was indoors) was standing by a portable audio board, and another man was sitting at the table, wearing large rimmed glasses and a large hoodie he was swimming in, as Gon cracked the door open. "Our newest million dollar man!" He grinned, wildly moving his hands. Gon smiled a bit confused before recognizing the sunglasses man as his agent from the company.

"Hey! Thanks." Gon said, going in and trying to go in for a handshake but the man fist pumped his palm. Gon shook his head a bit to recover from the blunder. "Er, we're here for the music writing right? I'm pretty excited to get started! I have a lot of ideas on the kind of sound I want to go for." Gon said.

"Yes, yes, I'm sure! We'll get back to that." The man said, putting his hands on Gon's shoulders to plant him into the chair next to the glasses man who started writing furiously in his notebook as soon as Gon sat down. "I'm Joe, your agent to help you with all things within the company and to rise to the top as the number one popular client in our agency!" The man, shaking his hips behind Gon. "And this is Manny, he is the songwriter for our newer idols. He's great at pumping out songs to sing that fit your style!"

"Oh." Gon blinked, looking on at the guy who was scribbling without pause. He didn't respond, and barely looked up. So the company didn't need much from Manny- not even proper social skills to say hello, he gets paid to produce songs, like an Idol-Making Machine, and that was his only function. "Ok! Well, then I can give him some points on my style and what I'm looking for-" Gon said, leaning forward to see the notebook. At the same time, Manny wrenched his notebook away from sight, protectively, and Joe pulled Gon to sit against the chair back again. Gon blinked surprised.

"It's really best to just let him work." Joe said as Manny went back to writing furiously, but less panicked. Gon furrowed his eyebrows confused and a bit distressed.

"O-ok, then I'll give him some of my song ideas to put my personality and spin into some of the lyri-" Gon started again before the man tutted Gon, and Gon nearly bit his tongue to keep from snapping at him.

"No need, Gon. This man is a genius. All his songs get top 20 charts! All he needs is for you to sit there, and we just let him work." Joe smiled reassuringly, rubbing Gon's arm. "This is a surefire way to bring in lots of fame and money! Don't worry your newbie little head! Just be ready to sing the songs when they're done" Joe said and patted Gon's head and Gon could feel his eye twitch. Gon thought he was a touchy person, but this Joe guy was giving him a run for his money.

"...So I can't contribute anything?" Gon asked, frustrated and distressed.

"This is the best way to make a splash as a new debut in this company, trust me! Next album, for sure. Just sit still and pretty for now!" Joe smiled. Gon pressed his lips together and let out a low breath, closing his eyes. What did he get himself into?


Music list:
Fireflies- Owl City

Know now, I have a lot of trouble writing because my writing style changed and I feel like I'm trying to force it back to what it was when i wrote the first arc! I'll try to just write it out and get my content across! I'm working on other stories to try and keep creative when its hard to write this and i hope you like them when they come out!