I know this chapter is REALLY LONG… but I couldn't split it.
There was a long excoriating pause, Daniel's eyebrows furrowing at the question. His eyebrows wavered at the question, struggling to put any of the pieces of the jigsaw back together. Just by one glance, he could tell that his sister, as well as the two teens roughly his age or younger, were about to get into a fight. But in all honestly, he had no idea who they were, or why they would want to fight his sister.
The boy looked strong, even though his aura was wavering slightly. He was exerting his strength, but at the same time, he seemed weak as if Daniel's words would ultimately break him in two. Zaikaria didn't look so good either, her strength was barely showing, and when she took a step towards the younger boy, only those who weren't paying attention wouldn't have noticed the slight wobbling.
Somehow, he needed to disarm the situation or his sister might get hurt if the boy acts erratically, "No…"
Killua sucked in a breath, eyes wavering. He was barely holding onto his sanity, wanting so badly to break down, but he refuses to do so until he gets back the one his lost once again. Without missing a beat, he turned to Zaikaria, doing the one thing he didn't care if Daniel judged him for. He threatened her life, "RETURN. HIM. BACK!"
"Huh…?" Daniel raised an eyebrow at the words. Grant the boy did just threaten his sister's life, but the fact that the boy said it so boldly, raised red flags. Why is he acting as though he knows something he doesn't "Who is he Zai?"
"No one, you need to worry about…"
Shifting her attention to Killua, she showed a threatening smile. What remained of her strength flowed around her hand. It wasn't enough to outlast Killua, but she had more than enough strength to momentarily stun Killua while he was in this mindset. Enough, to get a finishing blow, "Just a delusional boy…"
"You take that back bitch!" Killua threatened her once more, a finger being held out to Daniel, even if the boy looked angry at him now for threatening his sister, he must somehow fight the memory loss.
"What right do you have to barge in here, threaten my sister and act as though you know me…?"
You made a promise to never forget… YOU PROMISED! "Daniel, it's me, Killua! You must remember something… anything!"
"I…" Daniel paused at the name, eyes shaking slightly. It was strange hearing that name, especially now that he's thinking about it. This rude boy's name is making his body shake, memories being drudged out from nowhere. He knows of a 'Killua', just not who this Killua is… "I- I- I don't know you…"
When Daniel clutched at his head, he tried to fight off the thoughts tugging from within. It hurt so much; he could no longer tell what reality was. He just wanted the throbbing to stop, to understand why his mind, heart, memories and aura were fighting one another.
Zaikaria saw it long before Killua could realise what was about to happen. If Daniel continues to barge on the newly formed box of memories, his mind was going to collapse in on itself. She needed him to stop banging on that box, "Don't listen to him! You've never met Killua before in your life, his just some nobody trying to control you… He's trying to manipulate you, forcing you to like him…"
"NO I'M NOT!" Killua glared at the smug woman, "I would never force you to do something you can't understand…" Except for that the first time, we experimented… how I made you climax without telling you beforehand, SHIT! "Correction, I would never force you to do something against you will-"
"Wait, what? What did you do to my little brother… tell me!"
Killua's words along with Zaikaria's reaction made him remember something, a few days ago, his arms curled around a boy his age, his lips moving but he can't remember exactly what he said to the boy. But whatever he was saying, he was crying with a smile… he felt happy within that moment. The slight memory made Daniel release an inhuman howl of pain, one which terrified Zaikaria.
"What the FUCK did you do to him!" Twisting her figure, she held both hands out in an open gesture, taking a slow step towards Daniel. She was trying not to startle the boy any more than he needed to be, "Listen to me… FIGHT Killua's control. He's trying to control you, like Yanick would!"
"Killua would never do that!"
Zaikaria froze at the words, no, it wasn't possible. He couldn't have broken out of her prized ability so quickly. It was built to last forever, able to contain any memory as long as she supplied enough aura to reinforce it.
Killua clenched his fist with a smile, his smugness showing so easily at the twist of the situation. He just needs to keep banging on Daniel's door, and he'll break through, "Keep fighting it! You must rem-"
"Don't listen to him! He's just trying to control you… to make you do something you don't want!"
"Killua would never do that! He…" Daniel dug his fingers into his skin, wanting so badly to remove his brain. It was fighting so hard with his body; he just wanted to put it in timeout or something, just so he can relax for a moment, to really think without needing to struggle.
It happened so quickly a memory being enlightened, only for a moment, his fight with Yanick, a contradiction within his own thoughts. He would never date Yanick in his whole life, and yet, he was a part of his history, him smiling at Yanick, "He would've never wanted me to suffer like this! I love… I love Killua, not Yanick!"
"Yes! Remember-"
"NO!"
"I- I- I think…"
"NO!"
"YES! Fight against Killua's control!"
"I'm not controlling anybody-" Killua at that exact moment, felt something flow around him; he trained his eyes to use Gyo, a trail of aura fluctuating between them. Daniel was beginning to remember, but it wasn't strong enough to hold, it was going to snap, and if it did, what would happen to Daniel? He needed to get the boy to remember some more details, enough to keep him grounded.
"Remember when we danced under the stars?!"
"I… I remember…"
"Then-"
"Keep your mouth shut! Daniel, please don't fight it. Let me help-"
"You shut up!" Can't you see you're making it worse! You're the one who's going to get him killed! "You're the one making him worse!"
"No!" Daniel screamed once more, really begging whatever was fighting him would just stop for a moment. He wanted to remember these things. It made his heart fill with something, something he understood so well. Affection… He wanted more of it, to understand why just replacing the name 'Yanick' with 'Killua' would make him feel at peace, like everything made sense.
Zaikaria didn't want to lose Daniel, she'll just use the remaining of her strength to rebuild the wall and force those memories back inside. "Enough!" She lunged forward, hoping to stop Daniel from further damaging himself.
Killua was however quicker. The moment Zaikaria swung her arm out at Daniel; Killua had already activated his ability, electricity swirled around the boy, forcing his body to react at abnormal speeds.
Killua reached out like he had done so with Gon during his fight with Neferpitou, but unlike back then, he was closer now, fast enough to grab Daniel. He barely felt Zaikaria's hand touch his shirt, the whoosh of air creating a dual gust of wind.
Zaikaria's hand swung out at empty air, furious at having lost her brother at the hands of Killua, the boy now back at Alluka's side, holding Daniel close to his body.
Daniel was crying in tears, whether or not it was because Killua was holding him, didn't matter. As long as Daniel was in his arms, he could protect him from his sister. He can stop her from doing whatever she was about to do. Killua held a hand out, letting it stroke the boy's hair, but Daniel ended up fighting him too, throwing his hands out to slap away the boy's hands.
He didn't want to be touched; he just wanted to understand what was going on with his body… his memories… not to have this wanton desire of being touched by the boy who held him, as if he cared about him. Even Killua's slight touches made too much sense to him.
"Let him go… you don't know what you're doing, Killua… you're going to get him killed."
"It's you who doesn't understand! I make sense to Daniel… I-"
Another inhuman scream ripped out of Daniel, Killua's arms being forced to hold the boy tighter. He hummed quietly, trying to hush the boy, to make him relax and stop fighting with himself. He just needed Daniel to let the memories fall into place.
Zaikaria, however, had different plans of her own. Allowing Killua to continue along this path will result in dire consequences, "Listen to me Killua… you need to knock him out, now!"
"NO! Why should I listen to you now? After everything you've done…"
"Please…" Daniel began to sob, now clutching at Killua's shirt. He wanted his mind to stop, to stop hammering away at his heart, "make it stop hurting…"
Killua clenched his jaw, seeing the pained expression, the tone pulled at his heartstrings. It would stop… eventually… hopefully soon. Daniel just needed to stop fighting the memories, "Hush, don't fight the memories… just let them come back slowly…" the boy stroking Daniel's hair, comforting to the best of his ability.
This time the boy accepted the gesture, but he hadn't relaxed at all, the pain still showing along Daniel's features.
"Killua do not let Daniel force those memories open! My ability is going to cause a huge backlash…"
"Seriously, why should I believe you after everything you've done?!"
"Because if they get forced opened, my ability will try to force the memories back into hiding. THAT'S WHY HE'S IN PAIN, THERE'S A CONFLICT OF INTERESTS! He's going to turn into a vegetable! I don't want him to be brain dead for the rest of his life…"
Killua looked at Daniel, wondering if he should listen to her. Clearly, his boyfriend is in pain, and Zaikaria's tiny piece of information no matter how minuscule could be truthful to a degree. However, if he listens to her, she could be luring him into another trap, to relinquish Daniel over to her once more so that she may alter his thoughts once again… or this time, change his.
He took a deep breath, calming down his nerves. He needed to make the right decision, for Daniel's sake. Who does he trust? Himself, or the one who put them in this mess…?
Killua's gaze met Zaikaria's carefully watching her movements. Now that his calm and rational, he can see that she is in a weakened state. Her aura flow was weak, almost as if she were hiding it purposely. No, that thought wouldn't be right. He couldn't be judgmental right now… "How can I help Daniel?"
"Give him over to me…"
"NO! HOW do I help him…?"
Zaikaria grit her teeth. She can't outmatch him in speed or wits right now. He was being too overprotective, something that shouldn't be happening. Had she been wrong the entire time? Does Killua actually care for someone other than himself…?
No, it couldn't be possible… she couldn't be wrong in this situation. No one should change that much in a few years. If she was going to help Daniel, she needed to make sure that Killua doesn't do anything irrational. She needed him to give her Daniel. Then she can rebuild the walls, and everything can go back to normal… hopefully… "Knock him out."
"Huh?!"
"Knock him out cold, to stop him from overthinking. The more he fights, the less we have a chance of saving him…"
Killua looked down at Daniel, only to flick his eyes back up when he saw Zaikaria had taken a step towards him. "Stand right there, another step, and I'll leave with both Daniel and Alluka. I'll call Nathaniel and ask for his assistance, seeing as his sister wants to ruin her brother's life…"
The words had struck a nerve, making the woman freeze. She had a mixture of anger and disgust fill her eyes, but the moment they came, she forced them aside, stand still for the moment. Daniel needed them both to cooperate if he's going to survive.
The longer they were at each other's throat, the fewer chances Daniel will have to survive. "If you knock him out, I promise to take a step back. If I take a step forward, you can leave with Daniel, but without me, he is going, TO DIE…"
"Alright, I'll trust you for his sake. But if you take-"
"I promise, I won't… now, please… knock him out."
Killua brought his hand up, feeling sorry for what he was about to do. He wanted Daniel to come to terms with the decision, to understand what was about to happen. However, the pain he was going through, his eyes were screwed shut, unable to see what was going on around him.
Killua bit his lip, bringing down his hand with enough force to knock the boy out.
Daniel remained motionless, somewhat peaceful now. At least he wasn't in absolute pain now. But that doesn't mean Killua will suddenly trust her.
True to her word, Zaikaria took a step back, but this time she was pacing around, avoiding Killua as if he had the plague, "Shit! Shit! Shit! This wasn't supposed to happen this way…"
"Yeah," Killua taunted back, "He was supposed to get his memories back, then he'll make a decision on whether or not he wants to stay with Alluka and myself."
"Wait…" Zaikaria stopped, now looking at Killua, "What do you mean stay with you?"
"I…" Killua held onto Daniel, calmly running his fingers through the boy's hair. He knows he shouldn't be doing this in front of Zaikaria, but in all honesty, he didn't know what exactly he should be doing in this situation. He can only trust himself and Alluka now, but if by some miracle, Zaikaria can help them, he'd rather take that chance… even if she has given them no reason to trust her. "When Daniel lost his memories, I was hoping they'd come back on their own… they were but at the most inconvenient of times…"
"Whoever did this, the reaction was unnatural. It for some reason combined with my ability, and the two conflicted with each other. But this… this shouldn't have happened at all. It's like…" Stopping at her thoughts, her tone was slow, deliberate, icy cold to the touch, "Did you make Daniel promise you anything…?"
"Why, are you accusing me of EVERYTHING?! What is seriously your-" Killua stopped for a moment, really thinking about the question. Considering his not only going to get no answer but biting at each other's throats isn't going to help him save Daniel.
Killua took the time to think about the question, wondering if there was ever a moment he made such a demand, but if she had already read Daniel's mind, she should've realised if anyone is going to make such a request, it's going to be…
The boy stopped at a sudden realisation. He knew exactly when Daniel would've done what Zaikaria is accusing him of, "The dance…"
"Dance…?" Zaikaria let the statement linger, wondering if she had uncovered such a moment. Usually, her ability is automatic, targeting only certain memories she wants to be targeted. Other than that, she doesn't remember coming across a dance of any kind, then again… she hadn't gone that far back in Daniel's memories.
Killua sighed in frustration, "A few days ago, Daniel and I danced together. After that night, he said: I promise that when I get my old memories of us being together, that I wouldn't let my new memories of you contaminate the old…" Tapping his head, he wondered if that was the mainly the cause of Zaikaria's problem. Wouldn't it work in the reverse, being forced to forget would've triggered the promise to activate, causing both his promise and Zaikaria's ability to conflict with each other "Daniel's promise would conflict with your ability, correct…?"
"It would…" The woman covered her face for a moment, trying to figure out what to do next. If Killua is to be believed, then her ability would cause a conflict of interests. However, now knowing that, she can't return his memories. As soon as she does, Daniel would re-experience a traumatic moment of his life…
Him going through that moment again, watching Killua's cold lifeless eyes looking down on him, fingers matted with Daniel's blood. No, he can't relive that moment. "I can't return Daniel's memories…"
"Why, the fuck… NOT?! You put him in this position, you fix him!"
"I SAID I CAN'T!"
"Then FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN!"
"I said… I can't…"
"Fine, I'll just call Nathaniel… he'll find someone who can."
"Don't… Don't call him!" Nathaniel's too easy going, he'll do it for Killua, but he doesn't know the truth… only Vastorie and I know who gave Daniel that scar so long ago… "Only I can help Daniel…"
"THEN help him!"
"I can't help him because of you!"
"Because I don't trust you, or because you don't trust me?"
"It's because of you!" She finally broke, giving away the secret she managed to contain alongside Vastorie all this time, "YOU GAVE HIM THAT SCAR!"
"Neferpitou gave him that scar, not me!"
"NO, the other one…. The original scar along his back…"
"I've… what?! I've come to Alair taus… but until the Hunter's Exam, I've never met Daniel before in my life…" Killua held Daniel even tighter, worried that this was a ploy to get him to let go of Daniel. He can't, no matter the cost, he can't trust Zaikaria until she proves herself.
"You came here when you were eight, to kill Daniel…"
"No, my target was someone else back then… someone…" Killua paused for a moment to really think about that moment in time, it was an older man, a businessman. He killed his target, but then someone accidentally stumbled upon him.
Killua tried to focus, to figure out who that person was. It was a young boy, but that's all he remembers about the situation. He doesn't remember what happened after that… "I may have met Daniel, but that doesn't prove I'm the one who gave him the scar. We don't kill non-targets. That was the motto of our family… at least, that's what it should be…"
Killua eye's flicked down to Daniel, gliding his hand through the boy's hair as he thought out loud, "I wouldn't purposely hurt Daniel… or anyone for that matter. Maybe…" Killua now looked up, glaring at Zaikaria, "No, if anyone is capable of hurting Daniel, it's Illumi… If Daniel stumbled across me while I was on a mission, Illumi would have been the one to try to get rid of him… not me!"
That actually made sense to her, way too much sense. Illumi would try to get rid of an innocent bystander. Yes Illumi was in the area, coming to take away his little brother, but it Killua must have told Illumi. How else would he have found out…? "True, but you would've told him that Daniel stumbled across you. When I found Daniel, he was clinging onto you, with his blood on your fingers…"
"Of course there would have been blood on my fingers! It just wasn't Daniel's… it was someone else's; I was eight… I wasn't exactly the cleanliest of assassins… AND, I would never tell Illumi about Daniel, he would've been watching me like a hawk the entire time, telling me to get rid of Daniel… And I wouldn't have… I'M NOT THAT KIND OF PERSON… I would never be…"
Alluka brought her hands to her brother's side, smiling at him. He does care about people, it just that Zaikaria isn't giving him a chance to prove himself to her. Maybe if she can see it for herself, then, she'll be able to trust that her big brother does care for others, including her little brother Daniel "Zaikaria, how can Killua prove that he cares about Daniel?"
"If he lets me take Daniel away from him, and walk away…"
"NOT. POSSIBLE…" Killua glared at her, hating the fact she would even suggest it. He couldn't leave Daniel, unless the boy said so himself, that he didn't want to be around Killua anymore…
"Then if you and I won't give up… let's make a deal. If I release Daniel memories, which at this point of time, is the only way to save him, then you… will have to leave him once he realises you gave him that scar."
"You and I don't even know if I did give him that scar! But on the off chance, I did, as long as Daniel doesn't want to be around me… then, and only then, will I give up being by his side."
"FINE, agreed!" Zaikaria held out her hand to shake on the deal, but Killua didn't trust her one bit.
He kept his hands on Daniel's side, holding onto him. He hopes that by holding onto Daniel, she'll be unable to alter his memories again, but considering how weak she is, she should only have enough to remove her ability.
Zaikaria frowned at the situation being present, her fingers inching towards her brother, hoping that Killua doesn't go back on his word. She needed Killua to give up; to make Daniel finally realise that it was Killua who hurt him so long ago, who gave him that scar, which now has been replaced by her brother's lack of ability to protect his friends.
All she needed to do was touch Daniel, to release the ability, and then Killua will finally give up pursuing Daniel…
As she was about to touch Daniel, Killua pulled him away, "PROMISE ME, that you won't mess up Daniel anymore."
Akshasamat finally spoke up after so long, his tongue slithering out of his mouth as he addressed the boy's concern, "Ssshe won't back on her word a sssecond time after what ssshe's witnessed. Even I can tell, you do deeply care for the boy, Zai-Sssan just deeply caresss about Daniel too… Ssshe just wants him to be sssafe." While it's true to him, he felt like he hadn't told the whole truth. She doesn't look like she's given up yet… She needs to see what he sees, that Killua does deeply care about Daniel.
He may have been a heartless Chimera Ant before, but even still, he's seen those longing eyes from Killua before… and that was when he looked in the mirror.
Zaikaria's bangs hid her face, her intention being put on the spot. Somehow, she doesn't believe Akshasamat, but after travelling with him these past few months, she's been able to see that people do change.
Not everyone can… But Akshasamat sees something she doesn't, so maybe, just maybe… she's wrong. Zaikaria's hand made contact with Daniel, teeth grounding together, hoping she isn't about to make the worst decision of his life, "Don't make me regret this, and I promise I won't attempt this again… BUT, if I'm right, you better be prepared, for me to hunt you down to the ends of the world… I will kill you for mentally screwing Daniel up…"
"Likewise…"
For a second her hand wavered, aura stopping from being trickled into Daniel. That didn't sound like a threat, more so he seemed worried… Funnelling what was left of her Nen she targeted the box of memories, intending to disable it once and for all. Don't make me regret this…
"~"
Killua laid Daniel down in one the guest room, his fingers tenderly touching the boy's forehead. He could see the boy's eyelids fluttering, possibly having a nightmare from all his memories finally returned to him. He wanted to hold the boy close, to coddle him like Daniel usually did with him, but that wasn't possible.
Zaikaria was watching his every move like a hawk. She still didn't trust him after seeing how much effort he put into every action; the light touches, the feathered movements. He didn't plan to hurt Daniel at all… he wanted to care for the boy even further, to hug him tightly like he used to do with Alluka.
He wanted to be able to see the moment Daniel wakes up, to hear the first words out of his mouth to be… Welcome back. He knows that's a damn cliché, but God damn it, after travelling with Daniel for so long, seeing him lose memories of him twice, he's gonna be as cliché as he wants to be!
Killua made sure that Daniel was comfortable before leaving the room, stopping at the door to look back once more at the boy. The need to stay by his side still urges him on, deep down in his heart. But instead, he twisted the knob, closing the door behind him.
Zaikaria was in the same room as his sister, and if he wanted to be able to protect both, he needed to be watching her like a hawk. Taking a deep breath, Killua decided to question her other actions, the refusal to pick up Daniel's calls, "So why did you ignore Daniel for so long…?"
The woman crossed her arms, hating herself for what she was about to say, but Killua will need to know if she wants him to back off entirely, "Because the man who first removed Daniel's memories, is my current target…"
Killua's eyes widened at the news, clenching his fists at the temptation of probing for more information. But maybe now, he might have a chance to avoid him too, if he is going to continue being by Daniel and Alluka's sides, "Then tell me what he looks like, please…"
Zaikaria flicked her eyes over to Alluka, watching her run her fingers across the snake on the table, Akshasamat flinching at every touch. But he wasn't planning on leaving the girl any time soon. He seemed to have this strange form of trust with Alluka, acting like a puppy craving attention.
It made her smile inwardly; maybe she was being too harsh on Alluka. With Killua… it makes sense to her. What she saw back then, she realised that the boy not only tried to hurt Daniel but running into and begging for her help, was the last thing he should've done. Granted, now it was possible that she could've been wrong this entire time…
Looking back at Killua, it was almost like life was repeating itself, Killua before her once more, begging for her help, "So, what are you going to do with that information?"
"If I'm going to continue being by Daniel's side, I want to avoid him as much as we can… I could stun him, but eventually, his ability caused me to fall asleep. If it weren't for Vastorie and Nathaniel-"
"WAIT, back up… Vastorie knows his back?"
"Yeah, he was furious… Actually, a lot has happened, but I'm not telling you anything… until you give me what I want."
"If Vastorie knows, this changes everything. I can only return Daniel's memories, not the lingering effects of the man's aura. You need to find someone else who can perform a Nen exorcism."
"You can't-"
"Wait," Zaikaria bit her thumb, Daniel broke through her ability without the need of an exorcist or mental manipulation, just a promise to never forget about Killua. If Daniel reinforces that talent, maybe he could build a big enough defence to bypass the lingering effect, "Did Vastorie or Nathaniel give you contacts to anyone else besides me?"
"Why, what lingering effects?! What will happen if Victor dies?"
"Victor?! I've never said his name…"
"His name is on a list of people to visit, written down Nathaniel… Wait, you're talking about the deep sleep. If Victor dies, Daniel will fall into a deep sleep, an endless, vicious nightmare…"
"Vastorie told you… didn't he…?"
"Not everything… just the consequences of his ability after death."
"I need the list of names, hopefully, Nathaniel wrote down her name…"
"Whose name…?"
"Scarlet Sutton…"
A loud slam caused the four to jumped, head twisted towards the guest bedroom door. It had taken Zaikaria too long to realise what that sound was, her eyes widening at the possibility. No, it was way too early for Daniel to have woken up. She ran to the door, flinging it open without any regard to who or what may have been on the other side.
What she saw made her blood turn cold, twisting back to look at Akshasamat, "Send out your snakes! FAN THE AREA! Find him now before he HURTS HIMSELF."
Killua's eyes widened at the possibility that Daniel may try to hurt himself. He always acted erratically after his mistakes, but he would consider this the biggest mistake of them all. Forgetting someone who he said he was in love with…
Shifting his feet, Killua ran up to Alluka, "Whatever you do, DO NOT leave this place!" Not even waiting for a second longer, Killua left through the front door, Zaikaria screaming at him to come back. But he couldn't, not when Daniel was alone and feeling helpless. The moment cool air touched his skin; electricity engulfed his body, chasing after the one way he knew how to find Daniel…
The weak trail of aura, beckoning him to not come any closer…
"~"
Daniel shifted, an unwelcoming sight of loneliness filling the sheets beside him. He bit his lip when he felt a jolt of pain wash through him, his head filled with so many voices, memories ringing out all at once.
He didn't know what was happening, or how to fix it, even when he felt his dry hoarse voice call out, all he could hear was a slight whimper of pain, too quiet for anyone to hear. He could hear muffled voices come from outside his door, but the pain was too unbearable, impossible to focus on who they were.
Daniel curled in on himself, desperately trying to eliminate the constant barrage of thoughts. He didn't think it would happen or believe the case to be true, the calm before the storm.
The moment he thought he could relax, he could finally focus his attention on the people outside, the very first thing he could remember, was a conflicting promise he made. He promised to never forget Killua, yet from what he could remember about that night, he could barely remember Killua, his words and feelings didn't match.
Then one-by-one, another memory came right after, each showing the same conflicting memories and feelings. In each one, he remembered differently to what he should have felt.
He felt as though those events shouldn't have transpired, he shouldn't have acted like that, said things he would've never dreamed of saying to Killua. Hell, he could see the look of distraught, the sadness, as if those events were happening right before his eyes.
But he hadn't stopped himself…
He hadn't apologised to Killua at all for pretending as though they never dated. As the thoughts sank in, so did his hearing come back, Killua and Zaikaria, arguing, about him, about events he couldn't remember until now.
Throwing the sheets aside, Daniel walked up to the window, still clutching his head.
Why, what lingering effects?! What will happen if Victor dies?
Daniel paused at the name, Victor… who was Victor…? Daniel clutched at his head, begging for the memories to stop coming.
Victor?! I've never said his name…
His name is on a list of people to visit, written down Nathaniel…
List…? What list? The names Nathaniel gave us…? Daniel briefly recounted the names, stopping as he counted the last, eyes widening in fear. Victor Tempest… HIS THE ONE THAT MADE ME FORGET ABOUT KILLUA…
He bit his lip at the thought, reaching at the window to open the latch, to let the gentle breeze hopefully ease his mind.
Wait, you're talking about the deep sleep.
As he touched the handle, a flashback hit him, the pulsating tree; the man's whose hair looked like a wildfire in a snowstorm, his smile as he was pulling something from the tree and the pain intensifying the longer he waited. The moment he felt the pain alleviated, that was when an object was thrown to him, pulled from the very tree causing him pain as the man disappeared.
If Victor dies, Daniel will fall into a deep sleep, an endless, vicious nightmare…
Daniel's eyes shook at the information, hand pressed against the handlebar. All voices were cut out, the sinking feeling of despair washing over him. The last thing he could remember before he threw open the window, was Victor's eyes on him, the smile he gave him before tossing Killua's head.
He ran, silently begging for him to not come any closer. He felt the breeze go by, running in a single direction, unable to grasp where he was going, just far enough to get out of the reach of Victor's grasp.
He eventually found a small clove, trees cutting off the view. Hitting the tree, Daniel curled in on himself, begging the memories to stop, to find peace during the chaos of his thoughts.
But they never did, the boy could only continue to beg for the voices to stop, head buried in his legs. It almost felt as though Victor was there beside him, his hand reaching out, the same gleeful smile he last witnessed, before having lost his memories of Killua.
Please, make them stop… make them stop… Killua…
I'm sorry, Killua…
Please, help me… somebody… Killua!
"~"
There was a shift in demeanour, Killua's eyes gaze landed on a small alcove, the aura trail stopping amongst a small patch of trees, hiding the individual, the boy he was hoping to find.
He hadn't reacted to Killua's presence at all, the boy's shaking figure hunched over, face buried between his legs. No matter how much Zaikaria begged, he was glad he didn't listen to her pleas to stay back. After witnessing the boy in this mind state, he could tell that leaving Daniel alone for too long would've been a mistake.
Daniel needed to be found immediately, and Zaikaria's method would've taken even longer. He took a few steps forward, calling out to the boy on the fourth step "Daniel…?" There was no response, the boy still in the same position, not even a reaction to his name being called.
Now he really needed to make sure Daniel was ok. He crossed the distance, kneeling before the boy, calling out to the boy once more. Only when his hand made contact, did Daniel react, his head flicking up, visible pain shown strewn across his features.
Killua almost broke at the boy's obvious distress, his lack of reaction to Killua's presence. He looked fearful, scared, five seconds felt like an eternity to him. When Daniel finally realised who he was looking at, his eyes watered, digging his fingers into the boy as he buried his face in the crane of Killua's neck.
Every trickle of tears could be felt, and while he was smiling, the before sequence made his breath stutter. He reached around Daniel, pulling in the boy as close as space would allow him to. But those pleas… the plea being uttered by the boy, made his heart falter, gripping Daniel even tighter.
"It won't stop…"
"It's ok…" Killua hummed to the boy, his fingers running along the boy's back, hoping that the slight touch would be enough to sooth his partner's pain. But, it didn't do as much; only slightly ease the tension, the pleas still coming.
He didn't know how to help, unsure what Daniel meant by: it won't stop. He was in distress, but it wasn't anything physical, making it something more on the mental side. Were all of the boy's memories hitting him at once, making it impossible to focus on reality?
He curled his hands around Daniel's hips, pushing him away slightly so he could get a better grasp of the situation "What's wrong…?"
No reaction, eyes glazed slightly over, unfocused.
Killua touched the boy's cheeks, his eyes coming to life, now focused on him. He asked the question again, still no reaction to the words. So he asked a third time, this time mouthing the words, and this time he got a response.
"The voices… they won't stop…"
Killua's eyes closed, listening for anything abnormal nearby; there was nothing but him, the quietness of the night providing zero background noise for them. It has to be something mental, abnormally screwing with his mind…
He changed the question, mouthing them on the first attempt, "What voices…?"
"Yours… Alluka's… they all keep talking to me, but I don't sound normal… I'm acting like you no longer exist…"
Killua ran a finger through the boy's hair, tucking a few stray hairs behind his ears, "They're not real… I am. Try to listen to my voice, forget about the others."
"I… I can't, there are too many of them…"
"Try…" Killua mouthed, making sure to keep Daniel's eyes on him only. If Daniel closes his eyes, he'll start focusing on the same voices hurting him. Killua continued to coax Daniel; his hand caressing the boy's back, offering a gentle squeeze as his other softly ran along the boy's cheeks, the same level of pressure being applied to his back.
It took a while, but eventually, the voices dimmed down, still calling out in the back of the boy's mind, but at least now he could hear Killua, his soothing voice bringing the boy to tears.
Daniel pulled in Killua once he was able to hear the boy, crying out one sorry after another, Killua's touches never relenting. Just hearing Daniel addressing him was more than he could handle, desperately trying, to not cry in front of his boyfriend.
Daniel wasn't afraid of him…
Daniel wasn't pushing him away…
Whatever fears and doubts Zaikaria has of him, she was utterly wrong. Daniel was refusing to let him go. He couldn't have been happier, even if Zaikaria had stumbled across them, wrenching him out of Daniel's grasp to kill him, he'll still be happy.
He got what he wanted, for Daniel to have his memories intact…
Although, he still wants to live, so he'll fight an obviously weak Zaikaria to the bitter end.
Killua coaxed Daniel to look at him once more, met with a tear stricken face. His lip curled upward in a soft smile, running his thumb under the boy's eyes to wipe away some of the tears, only to have them replaced by new ones.
It killed him to see this side of Daniel after finally having his memories returned. He felt like he should be stronger, but no matter how much he struggled to contain it, he couldn't hold back any longer. He was reunited with Daniel, and nothing could change how happy he could be. Leaning forward, Killua pulled the boy in for a kiss.
Daniel's arms dug into his back, holding him in place. Not only could he remember who Killua was to him, the kiss made the reunion way more special to him. The boy's body heat against his own, the warmth of one another. The way his heart hammered against his chest, the last of the puzzle pieces locking into place…
It was special to Daniel…
He was afraid to let Killua go, scared that their lack of touch will cause him to forget about the boy once more. When Killua was able to pull back, he was met with Daniel's dopey smile, a smile like none other. His cheeks flushed at the idea of him being the cause of this, but the need to kiss was returning once more, and he didn't exactly want to resist it any longer.
His cheeks reddened further at the thought, but Killua leaned forward, pressing his lips into the boy's forehead, the gesture feeling right before he spoke, "Welcome back…"
Daniel offered a weaken smile, his grip loosening enough so he could lightly hug Killua. He felt so relieved, at peace, even when those voices were still playing in the back of his mind, he was just happy to finally remember who Killua was to him…
A best friend…
A lover…
His lips trembled at the memory, now remembering something hadn't been able to recall at all.
Who Killua originally was to him…
The boy he failed to save long ago…
Killua was the original person he called his Angel… And the reason for doing so was because of the moonlight, the soft white glow accentuated by the colour of his hair.
Daniel brought his lips to Killua, each other flushed with excitement and an unending yearning for happiness. He pulled back for the briefest of seconds, consumed with the undying need for love and attention. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't stop the tremble in his voice, "I'm back, Killua…"
On the break of his trembling lips, Daniel leaned forward; unable to stop himself any longer, the tears returning as he clung onto Killua, sharing a kiss he didn't want to end. I'm back…
"~"
Under the cover of night, two watched the scene, the older woman unable to deny it any longer. She bit her lip, using the shadows as a way to slink back into the darkness. Nothing made sense to her anymore, but there were two people that it made sense to, Daniel and Killua…
They were so relieved to see each other, Killua comforting the boy when Zaikaria so badly wanted to shove him away to help her little brother out.
But a Nen snake had stopped her, its body curled around her foot, head shaking at her mental decision. There were only two people she can talk to now, her companion and Alluka…
And as much as it pains her to admit her mistake, she needed to apologise to Daniel, Alluka and Killua now…
Vastorie… You were right… they were destined to meet each other. But even you couldn't predict this outcome… You said they'll be the best of friends…
But witnessing it with my eyes, they aren't… they're more than that…
They remind me how you once were with Nathaniel, smiling…
I hope you still are…
Please, do not cast him aside…