Author's Note: You know what's relatable? That lie down-try not to cry-cry a lot meme. It's funny and sad how we're incorporating depression into memes. Anyway...

Miwaku: I don't own Hunter x Hunter.

CHAPTER 20

Ging panted as he plopped down on the ground. He was inside of one of the numerous mountains in the island, not too far from where the others were but not too close.

He needed to think by himself. Panicking in front of others would not help him in any way.

As his breathing steadied, he began organizing his thoughts. The very source of the situation was that he managed to get Gale pregnant and thus, becoming a father in the process.

He was not ready to be a father. Hell, he was just grasping on what a relationship is like with Gale. He was never good with relationships, may it be platonic, romantic, or even familial. He always kept to himself, always the shy and awkward guy that everyone seemed to want to talk to. He did not disclose much about himself, more willing to talk about other things and who the person was, as long as it was not him in the spotlight.

Then, Gale appeared in his life like a...gale of wind. ('Oh my god.' He cringed at his pun.)

Even though they started with arguments and shouting matches (it did not help that they were both stubborn), it evolved into an uncanny friendship when Ging learned more about Gale - her happy-go-lucky personality, her bloody past, her aspirations and wishes for the future. All of those and more he began to know and it made him understand the woman better. And through that understanding, he relaxed and also told her about who he was.

It felt quite like freedom whenever he did that to Gale. It was like he was easing some burden he has and sharing that with her - someone who would not judge and would just accept his words. There were also the spars, the travelling, the teases...

And the kisses. Gale had been the one to initiate the first of many. She also initiated the many others that came after when their friendship changed into a romantic relationship. And everytime, Ging would blush and feel embarrassed with the emotions running through his body.

But through that, he became more comfortable with her. He started to initiate more physical touches and would even lower his guard sometimes. He felt himself falling in love...even if it still made him blush, right now.

'Sheesh, what that woman did to me.' More than a year has passed since they met. It was such a short time, but for Ging, he felt that it was longer with all those experiences he had with Gale. The realizations he formed, the thoughts he gained, the emotions he felt, and so many more...he learned so much just by knowing Gale, the woman that managed to get through his defenses to show him what he was missing.

Sighing, Ging raised a hand and clenched it into a fist. While he never felt that something was missing in his life, he did not feel complete either. He was just content with what he had. And when Gale appeared, it was as if a piece of a puzzle dropped inside him, not fully completing him but it added up to what he had.

'Maybe this is just another experience I have to learn...' Ging then snorted at his thought. It might be like that, but it was different. He was not ready to be a father and take care of a child. He was a Hunter, first and foremost.

'And that's probably the most problematic here.' He left his childhood home and family to seek new discoveries. He was in it for the thrill, the excitement, the pleasure of seeing something new blossom under his care. His lifestyle was not the ideal for even maintaining a relationship, let alone having a family...which sucked, to be honest.

He was Ging Freecss, nineteen-year old Single-Star Archaeological Hunter, dedicated to his job and whims too much that he could not even do right in relationships.

Suddenly, he felt a presence beside him. It was Gale, breathing heavily and leaning on her knees.

"How did you know I was here?" Ging asked and stood up to steady the black-haired woman.

"Your aura spiked." Gale finally answered after regaining some air. "I followed with my winds."

"Really versatile ability you have." Ging could not help but comment. It still amazed him how Specialist-type of Nen abilities were...special. And that made him cringe again.

"Enough about me. Let's talk about this." Gale said, pointing to him then to her stomach. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I am." He was actually okay. He was not panicking anymore. He knew he made the right decision of running away to think by himself. However, he was a bit upset about his realization of how it just...sucked.

"So, what now?" Gale questioned and wrapped her arms around her stomach. Ging figured that it was a motherly instinct to do that. "What do we do now? We're certainly not aborting this baby."

Ging's jaw dropped, aghast. "Of course not, woman. Why would you even think of that?"

"I'm just ticking off the choices!" Gale shouted all of a sudden. "It's not as if you're suggesting anything, right? Work with me for once, Ging, you damn lazy old man!"

Ging almost took a step back at the anger in her voice, but stopped when he saw the glistening eyes. "Gale..."

"Do you have any idea how worried the others are? They're looking for you right now. They actually made me stay in my room to rest. It's for the baby, they said." Gale clicked her tongue. "Well, this is also for the baby, because his or her own father is in shock and does not know what he wants to do with everything that has been happening! As if I know better, Ging!"

That was true. Ging really did not know what to do now. And he was realizing now that he was not the only one. Gale was also new to this, of course she was. Here he was, just finished panicking and coming to terms, while Gale was having her own problems...and she was the pregnant one!

He knew it. He was not much of an empathetic man. He could only hypothesize and predict, not deal with feelings and emotions. He could not even deal with his own.

And so, he said it now, "Sorry." He knew it would not be the last though.

Gale choked out a sob and ran to him. He hugged her to his chest, grimacing a bit at the wetness gathering on his shirt. He would also not get used to tears.

He heard the murmured question, "What are we gonna do?" and he just hugged her tighter.

"I don't know." Ging gritted his teeth. He was not going to cry. He would keep it in and try to be strong. It was the least he could do. "I really don't know."

But he was decided. His heart throbbed in hurt while his mind reassured him.

'I'm really sorry, Gale. I'm a shitty old man after all.'

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Ging glanced at the end of the tunnel and saw that the sun was starting to rise. 'It's morning already.' He did not notice that time passed by so quickly.

He then turned towards Gale. She was asleep on his chest, having cried herself to sleep. He wiped the remaining tear tracks with his scarf. He did not have the heart to push her away, however, he knew that he was delaying the inevitable.

He should just get over it. But he still found himself hesitating.

'Damn it.' Ging let out a harsh breath and slowly stood up. He cradled Gale's head in his hands until he managed to lay her down the ground. He took off his turban and placed it in her hands.

It was difficult, even more difficult than any restoration, research, and leaving Whale Island. He really went too deep in this, but not deep enough to stop him.

"I'm sorry, Gale." Three apologies within twenty-four hours, a feat for him. He left one last kiss on the forehead (he could not even kiss her on the lips, damn it) and squeeze on the hand. He could only hope that Gale would wake up and not cry again because he did not deserve any tears. He doubted that though.

And so, he walked towards the end of the tunnel, leaving Gale, his friends, and Greed Island altogether.

Ging Freecss ran away, as simple and fucked up as that.

TO BE CONTINUED

Author's Note: Welcome darkness, my old friend. I have come to embrace you and to hide from the world.

Expect in the next chapter: Boar, Triggered, Growls

See you next time!