A blast from Daniel and Killua's past, forces Daniel to realise he hadn't been paying attention to their surroundings at all.
Killua may have gotten some looks when he entered his room, but that was nothing when compared to what he had received on the way up to his room. After all, he did have the stalker slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
Upon entering the room, there was a brief pause, the boy pulling out a chair to sit the older teen down.
"So, I guess this is your way of saying I've replaced you…"
Killua rolled his eyes before addressing his boyfriend, arms crossed as he spoke, "No. I caught him trying to follow me… he may be the same one who was following us last night. Are you good with typing knots?"
"Sure…"
"Can you tie him up? But make sure you reinforce the rope with Shu, while you're at it. I know you're better at reinforcing objects with aura, especially when it comes to distance. This guy can use Nen."
Daniel nodded, grabbing the rope his partner handed to him. As he went to work, Killua's gaze now met his confused sister. With a smile he leaned down, a hand resting against his little sister's shoulder. He didn't feel comfortable having her in the room, just in case, the stalker tries to use her during a hostage situation. That's the last thing he needed right now, "Can you wait in your room, we're just going to… talk to this guy."
With a nod, the girl left, leaving Killua, Daniel, and the unnamed stalker in the living room. Looking towards his boyfriend without memories, the two nodded, "I'm going to wake him up."
Killua took a step forward, filling his hand with electricity, sparks flinging off his fingertips. With a smile, the boy poked the older teen, the sudden shock jolting the teen wide awake.
"Ah, fuck! What the fu-" frozen in his tracks, he looked up, noticing two boys hovering over him, fear now settling in the pits of his stomach. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. He wasn't supposed to be captured by the younger teen, much less be brought in front of Daniel.
But now that he's looking up, it seems none of them has recognised him after so long. He still had a chance to escape before either of them would recognise him, "what are you going to do with me?" he struggled against the rope, hoping to break his binds before his discovery.
"I want some answers; I know you're the same one that was stalking us last night. What do you want with us…?"
He bit his lip at the request, Daniel now stepping in to take over the interrogation, "You can stop struggling with your binds. I've reinforced them with Shu, but… I'm sure I've seen you before…" the boy's gaze pierced the older teen, trying to figure out where he saw him from.
There was a visible flinch, Killua taking note of how the man seemed more on edge now.
"Ah, now I recognise you. You're from the ballroom dance last night…"
"Sure, I am… I…" think of something reasonable, something they'll accept… "I noticed how good of a dancer you were. I was going to ask you out because you hadn't signed up with an original dance partner. But then Mr Snowball over here danced with you, and the two of you dominated the show. I was pissed… because I wanted to win… but at the same time, after seeing you two dancing, I still wanted to approach you even more. You two didn't look like you know each other, which I'm hoping…"
Killua's eyes narrowed, there's something weird going on here. He can't quite place it. Even Daniel seemed to notice something was going on. Not only that, it still doesn't explain why as a normal person, he couldn't 'A' approach them, and 'B' why did he stalk only him then…?
There was a pause before Daniel decided to speak, "I'm flattered, and all… but Killua and I are together."
"You could've fooled me…"
Killua's eye twitched, the words somehow affecting him more than they should have. There was something really wrong with the guy, and he couldn't quite place it. The boy rubbed his chin, thinking over the night. He remembered Daniel signing a form, but names weren't announced throughout the night. There were only numbers, and Daniel was one-hundred and twelve last night.
Since he couldn't place the number on this guy, was it possible, that this guy was one swirling his drink last night? If so, was he really there for the dance, or was he there for them?
"Killua…?" The boy paused, looking behind him. Why did Alluka just enter the room, "Ah, what's going on?" The boy crossed the room, Daniel never taking his eyes off Killua's stalker just in case he made a move on his partner's sister.
Just as Alluka was about to answer her brother, the hostage spoke, "who's the boy?"
Killua froze, his blood boiling at the words. His voice was cold, dark, brooding, "What did you say…?"
As he turned, he let out his hostile intent, Daniel immediately holding out a hand to stop Killua, "Wait!" Killua paused, not expecting his partner to yell at him to stop. His gaze never met him, eyes focused only on the guy in the seat, "Now I know who this asshole is!" slamming both hands on the older teens, the boy leaned forward, making sure to crush the hand he knew was a prosthetic arm, "It's been a long time… except for last time, I remember someone threatening you… a boy-"
Daniel paused, looking up towards Killua, "you were there at Heavens Arena with Gon and I, correct?"
"Huh? Yeah, why…?"
"Good," Daniel looked back at the hostage, "a young kid by the name of Killua threatened you, Yanick…"
Both Killua and Yanick's eyes widened in surprise; they weren't expecting Daniel to say that at all. Daniel paused, allowing both boys to soak in the information before continuing. Between Yanick's treatment of Alluka, and the fact Killua now knows this teen has gone against his demands to never seek out Daniel, he needed to deter the boy's bubbling rage, "I thought I recognised you. As soon as you spoke about Alluka, Killua's little sister I finally pieced everything together."
"Little sister…? Clearly, that's a boy cross-dressing. Those are the chubby cheeks of a young boy."
Alluka's eyes watered, Killua now forced to confront his sister, "Alluka, listen to me. Don't listen to that guy! He is a deluded-"
"Asshole!" Daniel finished the statement for his partner, pressing his hand down with enough force to snap the wires contained within Yanick's prosthetic arm.
"Daniel-"
"No, listen here you piece of worthless shit! There is a reason I don't like you at all, why I never wanted to date you! You see, you're so stuck in your ways, you'll never think about how others feel. Daniel wants this… Daniel wants that…"
The boy stood up, turning his back on the teen, "Did you ever think to ask me what I really wanted? No… you didn't. Do you know why I refer to Alluka as Killua's sister, because Killua addressed her as his sister, and she has never once corrected him!"
Killua looked downward at his sister, noticing the small visible smile. It was weak, but, the way his boyfriend spoke about her was through Daniel's own perception, accepting her not just because he said it so, but because Alluka feels that way. The boy took his sister in his arms, feeling his sister's grip his shirt, tugging at the fabric.
She was happy to have not only an accepting brother, but his partner was alsooo accepting as well, willing to defend her tooth and nail.
"So, saying it doesn't make it true!"
Killua stood up, preparing to kill the man, but the moment he had done so, Yanick had broken out of his bindings thanks to Daniel's last move. He was expecting to save his partner, but the boy had already turned, grabbing the older teen's arms, twisting them so his back was turned to them.
Placing one hand on the guy's back, Daniel pushed him against the floor, holding the teen down as though it was a normal feat. It's been a year and a half since the two fought since Daniel lost…
But now the tables have turned. The boy had improved over time, amassing more strength over the last year. The act made Killua smile briefly, his arms now wrapping around Alluka, pulling her in once more. He could still hear her quiet sobs, the sounds tugging at his heartstrings.
If he were in Daniel's place, he would've snapped the older guy's neck within a heartbeat.
Daniel, however, had different ideas, wishing to inform Yanick of their differences in personality, "There, exactly, is your problem! I grew up with two dads, both of whom were accepting." The boy's eyes watered as he remembered what had transpired, how Vastorie had argued with Nathaniel, saying how much he was unwanted. Closing his eyes, the boy took a deep breath, calming his nerves.
He has been through so much, these past few weeks, reaching a conclusion he wasn't expecting to do, at all. He never thought he'd defend someone he has no memories of, but here he is, his heart beating at an unusual rhythm as if expecting him to understand why it was doing so, "Your problem is you only think about how you perceive the situation. I despise you because you're not willing to accept others. You're just trying to please yourself. You say you're attracted to me, even though, Vastorie told me all your past partners were girls!"
Eyes narrowed, wondering what he should say… what he should ask. The boy follows his own set of rules, much to other's happiness, like asking him out without any regard to his own desires, "which begs the question. Are you attracted to me because I look like a girl, which makes you a hypocrite… or are you attracted to me, because how I act…?"
"How you act…" Yanick spoke softly, hoping the boy above him accepted those words; instead, he felt guilty at Daniel's words, the words cutting into him like a blunt razor, "I don't believe you! I don't believe for a second, that you really like me for who I am! Even though I've lost my memories of Killua, I'd rather date him, than you… how he treats his sister, shows his compassionate enough to except people. He's…"
Killua turned to face Daniel, even though the boy had lost his memories, his willingness to put both Alluka and himself on a pedestal. For the briefest of moments, he had fallen a little more for Daniel.
The older teen grits his teeth, hating every word being uttered by Daniel, his aura flaring up as he directed it to Killua, "You're the bastard who changed him! It's entirely your fault his like this!"
Killua flinched at the words, because true to a sense, if he had woken up during Victor's attack, he could have stopped Daniel from losing all his memories, but he'd like to see Yanick do better, to chase the man down and beat him up. Killua stood a chance and he didn't…
Yet, at the same time, Yanick was also wrong. Daniel is only caring about him, because of how he acts with his sister. They both have a sort of maternal instinct, to care about the ones closest to them. Daniel is starting to redevelop it, because of his attraction to him and his kindness.
"He's kinder than you'll ever be, Yanick…" Daniel brought his fist up, intending to slam it back down on the teen beneath his feet; instead, he gave him an opportunity to escape.
Yanick slipped out of the binding, uncaring of the broken prosthetic thanks to Daniel's vice-like grip. He fuelled aura into his fist, Killua pulling himself as well as Alluka from the immediate danger.
Daniel shifted his spot, his speed able to outmatch Yanick's, coming between both parties. He slid his hand out, redirecting the punch before following it with a kick, kneeing the boy in the ribs. Caught off guard by the attack, Daniel followed the attack, slamming his palm into the boy's jaw and then proceeded to punch him once more in the face.
Yanick slid across the floor, his eyes shaking. This is the first time he has ever been beaten by Daniel. When did he get this strong…? What has he been doing this past year and a half?
The teen grit his teeth, "This is wrong… I care about you, therefore you should too…"
"It doesn't work like that! Killua cares about me, because of his own selfish desires, but unlike you, he doesn't want me to like him back just because he likes me. He'd rather wait on me to get my memories back before I make a decision on whether or not, I continue to want to be with him…"
"So what, it's not like you liked him from the start…It was him that called you his boyfriend!"
Killua's cheeks flushed red. He remembered that Freudian slip, the accident which is now a reality. Well, hopefully soon to be a reality once more…
"Yeah, well, people's feelings change over time. We're on a mutual ground, which you seem to be pissing on and calling it your territory like a dog!"
"I…" Yanick flipped out, clenching his fists in a rage, "I want you because it's you…"
As he took a step forward, Killua grit his teeth, preparing to get up and defend not only himself but Daniel as well on the matter. But Daniel stopped him, already making a move for the both of them.
He lunged forward, swinging with enough force to knock anyone out, "I'll love who I want to love!"
Killua let go of Alluka, stepping between both boys, grabbing Yanick by both hands to pull him backwards, right out of Daniel's attacking range. There was a rip of wind, Yanick shaking at the possibility he could have been killed on the spot, and that Killua had saved him.
Daniel was about to argue, but Killua's voice was stern, "Daniel, stop… You're going to make a mistake you'll regret."
"I was only going to knock him out…"
"Well, you failed to notice he no longer had his defence up… He could've died." Daniel froze at the news, Killua now turning to deal with the older teen in his grasp, "If Daniel killed you; you would've triggered his biggest fear… Killing someone…"
"I… I didn't know…"
"Of course you wouldn't." Killua turned his gaze back to Daniel, seeing the boy still shivering at the confession, "Well I do… And I do… care about him," the boy shifted his posture, cheeks burning at his own confession, but if he didn't say something now, both were going to make a mistake, and he didn't want Alluka to be mixed up in this mess any longer. She had her own feelings which needed to be comforted with, "Yanick, give… up! Daniel has made his decision, so accept it and move on!"
"I…"
Killua leaned forward, whispering the next part into the teen's ears, "IF you ever come near Daniel again, I'll make sure your body is never found… I want him to remain as the same person his always been, so if his memories return and he doesn't want to be around me anymore, then I'll leave him alone, unlike you… NOW, LEAVE…"
Killua shoved him forward, the teen stopping once more when near Daniel, "When Killua gets tired of you, don't come running to me…"
He left the room, slamming the door on the way out. Daniel dropped in a slump, Killua now forced to deal with another issue. While he wanted to go to help out Alluka first, he knew his sister was stronger than Daniel when it came to dealing with feelings.
Dropping to the boy's side, Killua held his hand, letting him know there was someone here for him if he ever needed it.
Daniel's heart hammered in his chest, unknown feelings reverberant from somewhere deep within. Even if he were to deny it now, deep down, he felt like he had just confessed to Killua, his body wanting- NO, needing him to remember who Killua was to him.
One hand clasped over his chest, Daniel found himself smiling before looking over his shoulder to Alluka, his lips slowly widening as the seconds passed, "I know, I sort of promised-"
"Thank you…" Killua interrupted the boy, his grip tightening around Daniel's, "thank you so much for defending Alluka… this means a lot to her." And to me… even hearing your confession to Yanick about me, made me happy, Killua thought. He really hoped that Daniel doesn't suddenly redevelop the ability to read his mind, to know what his feeling within that exact moment.
Letting go of the boy's hands, Killua stepped away. He didn't want to damage Daniel's feelings, to affect him any longer than needed. Daniel needed to make the judgment with a sound mind, even when he hated the possibility of Daniel letting him go.
Killua managed a few steps forward before Daniel spoke, "I know I said I won't be biased, but…"
The boy stopped, really hoping that he hadn't really altered Daniel too much, but what he felt was Daniel's hand touch his shoulder, being forced to look in the boy's direction.
"Well," Daniel crossed the distance, standing before Killua. The boy leaning forward. Lips locked together, the act surprising both Daniel and Killua. To Daniel, his body felt like there was absolutely nothing wrong with the act, his hands reaching forward to wrap around Killua, smiling from just a simple kiss. Even if his mind denied it, his body, really belonged to Killua.
Killua, on the other hand, felt a sense of fear wash over him. He felt like he had made the biggest mistake of his life. This could come back to bite him in the future. The boy could see it as him taking advantage of him…
What if he does see it that way? Even though it was a quick kiss…
"I wouldn't mind doing that again…" Daniel hummed out loud, smiling to himself at how wonderful it felt, internally.
Killua felt himself blush, the apparent desire showing a little too easily. It seemed like both of them desired more, even if deep down, Killua hated himself not pulling away just as their lips touched. On the other hand, a small aspect of him craved, even more, almost demanding him to pull Daniel in for a second time after the boy's confession.
Cheeks flushed at the idea, the boy watching Daniel stand, equally embarrassed for his thoughts of wanting more.
The two were quiet, looking into each other's eyes as they let themselves soak in each of their own feelings, waiting for the other to speak.
It felt like an eternity before Daniel spoke, "You know how I promised to not be biased. I don't think I can… Killua, if I listened to my own words with Yanick, I'd realise something… You see, you're so stuck in your ways, you'll never think about how others feel… or…"
Daniel shifted his gaze, looking into the boy's eyes for any doubt about the situation, he saw some, but for some reason, his body felt as though that doubt wasn't because of the words, but his earlier lack of action, "Killua cares about me, because of his own selfish desires, but unlike you, he doesn't want me to like him back just because he likes me. He'd rather wait on me to get my memories back before I make a decision on whether or not, I continue to want to be with him… I've been thinking about myself the whole time, whereas you've been thinking about how to not step on my feet. I've should have seen it sooner. The signs were there… I just wasn't addressing or even thinking about them; that all changes now!"
Daniel held out a hand, touching Killua's cheek. Killua, in turn, raised his own hand, touching Daniel's, but he didn't remove it, which meant to Daniel, that the boy still wants to be with him, "I don't want you to wait for a second longer… We're hunting down my sister, and getting back my memories! There's no doubt in my mind- Err body, that you mean more to me. I want to understand why my body reacts to those feelings, but my mind is unable to fill in the blanks…"
Killua felt his mouth gape at the confession, floundering at the words.
Daniel, without his memories, had kissed him…
Daniel, without his memories, who kissed him, wanted to know everything his lost…
When Killua looked away, he had hoped to close his eyes, to tell himself that this was all a dream that's progressing too fast for his mind to comprehend. But he wasn't the only one who reacted to the confession, Alluka had as well.
While there still may be tears, the joy contained in her voice brought about Killua's next smile, "See that, big brother… his back."
Killua hid his face behind his bangs, watching Alluka come close to him, hugging him from behind. What he felt made him bite back the sobs of happiness. He was only one step away. Now it's time to hunt down the woman ignoring her brother's text. She won't be able to avoid the situation any longer. If her brother was in danger, she'd come running.
Taking a deep breath, Killlua brought his attention back to Daniel. He wiped away a stray tear before speaking, "Lets smoke out Zaikaria!"
"~"
Eyes were drawn to the phone, an unknown caller requesting her attention. "That's strange…" Zaikaria looked at the number, unable to recall ever seeing it. Then again, it could be Killua calling this time around, and she had no desire to pick it up.
Placing down the phone, she turned to her snake companion, the Chimera Ant opening the window as his tongue slither outward, tasting the gentle breeze.
She held a smile for a moment, losing it only when her phone went off one more time. The older woman expected to see the last caller's same number; instead, what she got was a message from them.
Eyes narrowed for a moment, weighing her options on whether or not this was a hacker. Considering both the text and the call came from the same number, it was only plausible.
The intrigue ended up getting the better of her. Without a second thought, she opened the message. What she saw contained in the text, made her stomach drop, eyes now full of animosity.
"What'sss wrong?"
There was a picture, a tied up boy, her brother, in an unknown hotel. None of the furniture gave away his location, but the phone ringing combined with the photo now forced her to pick it up.
"Do I now have your attention…?"
The voice was muffled, distorted by two foreign objects. One most likely a mask to obscure the person's features, while the other seemed to distort their voice, masking any unique features that would have enabled her into tracking him down.
He or she must be a pro, or maybe more likely an idiot looking to get themselves killed.
"What do you want…?"
"You…"
"Me…?"
"You see," the voice flicked a button, enabling the camera for the remainder of the call. It was a person with a temporary mask, one usually found in a novelty shop. A devil usually found at festivals, but this one was altered, a mane covering the whole head.
What Zaikaria saw was strands of white poking from the bottom of the mask, something that disturbed her considering who she was tracking at the moment. It didn't help that the mane fooled her into believing it added fiery-red tips.
"A certain little… the creature, told me you have the ability to read minds… alter them."
"And…?" Zaikaria's eyes narrowed, not expecting that at all; to what purpose would this man ever want to do with someone whom can alter memories. He had a similar power, one able to do it through nightmare inducing dreams.
Unless was he about to request her to do it to her father, to somehow make him loyal? That just wasn't possible! She wouldn't be strong enough to break through that kind of mentality, it'll kill him. But she can't let him know that. She needs to play along, to fool himself into giving up his location.
"Well, I want your ability for a special case…"
What you're asking for, it's just not possible… not without killing him…
"Oh, silent are we…?" The person paused, pulling a knife to wedge it Daniel's jugular, aura now surrounding the blade. Daniel's eyes widened, voice muffled by the binding in his mouth as he tried pulling back on the chair, struggling to break his binding.
The masked man placed one hand on her brother's head, holding his head in place as dragged it along the skin. Daniel's muffled cries got louder. The cut was precise, barely nipping at the skin, blood barely trickling down along her brother's neck.
The act filled her with enough fear to consider the possibility that if she didn't do what the man asked, he'll slit her little brother's neck like it was nothing, "I'll do whatever! Just don't hurt him…"
"Good…" He paused, pulling the knife away, "Where is your location?" It was that moment Daniel relaxed but his head was still shaking from left to right, pleading her to not give that information away.
For the briefest of moments, Zaikaria wondered if it was ok for her to give her actual address. If shit hits the fan, she'll put multiple lives in danger. She needed somewhere obscure, away from civilisation. Plus, as long as Victor doesn't know about Akshasamat, she could pull a fast one on him. Not only making possible to rip Daniel out of danger, but also give her a chance to kill him.
She just hopes Daniel hasn't told him everything, "There's a cottage east of the city. I'll send the coordinates to your number… be there in two hours, with Daniel barely harmed."
"Wonderful, I'll see you there…"
When the call ended, Zaikaria smiled, "Akshasamat, it looks like we are about to kill the man haunting my father. The quicker we get there, the more time we have to plan our attack."
"Yesss, my missstressss…"
"~"
The moment Killua hung up; he smiled widely, barely needing to tug at the boy's bind before it dropped in a heap.
Daniel smiled as he stood up, making sure to remove the bind covering his mouth. With a high-five, the two cheered loudly, "Whoo," Daniel continued, proud that they were able to pull off a seriously dangerous stunt without breaking character, "told you it would work!"
"Although, she's probably going to want to kill me, after finding out it was me that was pretending, to slit your throat…"
"Well," Daniel rested both hands on his hips, "I'll protect you from her. Don't want her to kill my future boyfriend…"
When Killua's cheeks flushed at the confession, Daniel rested a hand across his chin, wondering out loud, "Or would it be current boyfriend… I'm a little confused at how my lack of memories alters my thoughts."
"Y… You're a terrible sappy… boyfriend…" The boy shifted his posture, his body now burning in delight. Jeez, even admitting it to Daniel without memories, I feel my heart hammering out of embarrassment…
"Or would that be out of love?"
Killua froze, unable to believe his ears. Did Daniel just read his mind? No, it was a trick of the imagination, "Did… you just read my mind?"
"No, I just… feel… like I can tell you're embarrassed. It's hard to explain, but if I don't think, and just let my body react, I find it easier to read you. Even when I kissed you, it felt like I belonged, even though my mind was screaming: what the hell is going on?"
"Oh…" Killua found himself at a loss of words. This made no sense now that he thinks about it. Daniel is letting his actions rule his thoughts, and when he does so, everything seems to click, as if it felt right. But as soon as the boy tries to logically think about his actions, his confused.
Victor must have fucked up somewhere… or is it possible that-
Killua's mind snapped to Daniel's body, eyeing it carefully. Is it possible that Daniel's aura that used to linger around him had something to do about this? Theoretically, it's possible. Daniel's aura may have gotten so used to lingering around him, that it became accustomed to his feelings… touches… possibly even his emotions…
The question was how though? How was Daniel able to link his thoughts, to what his aura felt? Maybe he was just questioning the situation too much, and it was all being done unconsciously… "Daniel, do you remember ever letting you aura linger around someone?"
"Well, yeah… It was you I believe… why?"
"I have a theory, a possible explanation for your confusion?"
"Ok…"
"The aura you used to have lingering around me is gone, correct?"
"Well, if neither of us sees it, then yeah… I guess you're correct."
"What if it never disappeared, but it's in a Zetsu-like-state, just like your memories?"
"So… if I get my memories back, the aura trail with return?"
"Not necessarily. It might be there; just our mind or even Gyo isn't registering the trail."
Daniel crossed his arms, really thinking about that possibility. If that's the case, Killua might be onto something. If it's still there, it would explain the sense of familiarity he always gets when getting close to Killua, why his body feels just right when he hugs the boy. "Killua, can I hug you for a second?"
"Ah…"
"I want to test the theory. If what you say is true, then just hugging you will cause a conflict in thoughts."
Killua nodded, allowing Daniel to wrap his arms around the boy. The moment Daniel relaxed his head in the crook of Killua's neck, the boy felt at ease, a sense of belonging wash over him; although, his mind questioned his actions and thoughts. Killua was onto something… It might even be possible to regain his memories without the need to see Zaikaria. He just didn't know how to access something his subconscious was shutting out.
Killua shivered at the breath, unsure what to be doing within the moment. However, the look of serenity crossing the boy's features as he relaxed showed him, that he may be onto something with his theory.
Removing his arms, Daniel rested a hand on Killua's shoulders, offering the boy a genuine smile, "You're right. You're not only kind but smart as well…"
Killua hid his face, unable to argue, let alone offer a retort back. Deep down, he was happy with the final outcome…
But something felt off…
Like the worst was yet to come…