While Killua has some free time, he decides to make a few calls to some old mentors, see if they're able to come up with some solutions to their dilemma.

Killua walked into the outside area, tousling his freshly showered, wet hair. He felt pampered, wanting to lay down beside his boyfriend, who was already napping after their nightly activities.

The way Daniel reacts is heart-warming; he tends to acknowledge when someone touches him while he's asleep. He'd nuzzle his head into whatever it happens to be laying on, smiling softly. He genuinely likes to be touched, even though he has voiced his complaints about becoming like his father.

But while in a deep sleep, he is unashamed of voicing his pleasure.

He'd whine if his hair is touched briefly, whimpering louder if the action is stopped abruptly. He acts like a needy, attention-seeking domesticated dog in his sleep. It is downright adorable, especially once he's hugging something.

It's a smile that gives Gon a run for his money. Radiant and absolute, sheer peace.

He'd love to watch that be aimed at him all night, but he wasn't exactly tired. He was brimming with energy, ready to run another mile. Given that he wasn't busy, and it was too early to prepare for dinner, he thought he might get some balls rolling.

Daniel and himself won't a method to protect themselves from Victor, which means they'll have to rely on some of their older teachers to fill in the blank details. They have an idea, a possible solution… they just want to know if it's possible to achieve the end goal.

A method to block that man's ability…

It's a future endeavour they wish to complete, no matter how difficult the task is. Victor was a threat, and unless they come up with a basic idea on how to deal with him, they'll never escape his threatening shadow.

Right now, Killua had three people he could call, Wing-San, their first Nen teacher.
Biscuit Kruger, their second teacher, which he also hoped he could avoid. She might pick his brain for the truth and he doesn't need to say anything, that could get her involved…

Knowing her, she'd pick his brain if he doesn't come forward.

The third option would be Nathaniel, due to him having access to the physical copy of Vastorie's ability, Sage's Archive… considering, Vastorie was in no way, was going to allow them to get in contact him.

If Nathaniel unfortunately, couldn't find anything… he'll have to talk to Bisky, regardless whether he could hide the truth or not.

Killua thumbed through his contacts, scrolling past the last two options. He stopped his finger on Wing-San's contact. The dial rang twice before he heard the pickup noise, followed by a younger, meek voice, something far different to what he was expecting "Hello?"

Killua pulled back to check the contact idea, taking note that it does say Wing-San. Then it hit him, "Wait a second… Zushi?" It's been so long since he heard the boy's voice, that he almost didn't recognise it. It sounded a fraction deeper, nicer on the ears.

"Wait… Killua-San? Is that you?"

"Yeah, it's me… Where's Wing-San?"

"Without his phone, he might be back in a few minutes. What's up? Anything I can help you with?"

"Maybe…" Killua bit his lip. Considering Zushi is a Manipulator like Daniel, Wing-San would've taught him some tricks, mainly to bypass other Manipulators in Heaven's Arena, "Wing-San wouldn't have happened to teach you Manipulator blocking tactics?"

"Hmm…" Zushi hummed at the question, wondering if what his mentor has taught him, would be able to be used to answer Killua's question. It was an off the cuff… kind of question, filled with a hint of hesitation. But that might be also due to the fact the person he originally wanted to ask, wasn't here "I do…"

"Great!"

"But I don't think it could help you." Zushi felt hesitant with saying anything. Wing-San was opposed to the idea of him talking about this kind of information, especially without his mentor to guide him properly; in fact, the last time he said anything, he left his friends feeling more confused than helped after his explanation.

"Can you tell me anyways… please?"

Zushi heard the plight in his friend's voice, but it hadn't helped the gnawing feeling in his chest "This wouldn't happen to do with Daniel-San?"

"Oh…" Killua's lips curled into a smirk, "What do you think?"

"Well, Wing-San mentioned the sting of aura… I think the talent has developed, and now he's accidentally controlling you in some way."

Killua raised an eyebrow, "Well… your right, it has developed, but not in the way you think. It's following a completely different set of rules. Let's just say… we have a mutual friendship and leave it at that."

"Like as in… you two are…" Zushi remembered how the two acted with each other. They were on friendly terms; sure, they tended to bicker with one another as close friends would do, but after Yannick's words… their friendship might have changed.

Maybe Killua got jealous and demanded it to be real… or did Daniel tap away at Killua until it developed into something more. Whichever way it happened, his next guess had to be right "are you two by chance… boyfriends?"

"Yes…" Zushi hit it right on the ball, but he wasn't about to talk about their relationship, he needed information about how to deal with their situation right now. Zushi may be able to give him the information they needed to move forward "but that's going off-topic. If Wing-San has taught you something, anything about fending off another Manipulator's ability, I want to know."

"Well…" Zushi raised a finger, "a Manipulator cannot control what's already under another's control."

"I'm well aware of that…"

"So, if Daniel were to put you under his control, even if it were to make you unconsciously aware of the subtle manipulation, no one else, in theory, should be able to control you. But given that you're not, and you want to build a mechanism to resist the possibility of Daniel or even someone else controlling you in the future…"

I'm not worried about Daniel controlling me, he wouldn't do that… What I'm worried about is others trying to break us… Killua mentally argued the notion. Daniel wouldn't want to control him, it would break the foundation they built together.

Zushi continued, "Your best bet, is to develop an ability that allows you to control yourself."

"So, what you're telling me… is a whole lot of nothing." Killua clicked his tongue in disappointment. He was hoping for something more than 'manipulate yourself'. It's pointless, considering he was on the opposite end of Manipulator, he was a Transmuter. The max strength he'd be able to utilise will be roughly forty per cent.

Zushi deflated at the news, but at the same time… he felt like he wouldn't be able to help Killua out "I thought so… I didn't think I could be as much help to you." He thought that would be the end of this conversation, but then he heard the door open as his name was being called.

"Zushi-Kun?"

Zushi piped up with a smile, "Hold on Killua-San, Wing-San is back."

Killua shifted his posture. He was glad to hear Wing was back. Zushi might have not been able to help him, but that doesn't mean his first Nen teacher couldn't.

There was a pause, followed by the crackling of a speaker. He couldn't make out what the two of them were talking about, but he might have to rectify some assumed issues. Depending on what Zushi has told the man, he'll have to give a clearer reason for his call.

"Killua-Kun, I hear you have a pressing issue."

Understatement of the year "We do, but it's more of a… dilemma of sorts. You see, Daniel and I are concerned about the possibility of his string of aura having no… limitations… boundaries if you will."

"Understandable…"

Killua twirled his finger in an imaginary coil, trying to think of the best way to layout the facts without giving away everything, "I don't want us to reach our peak, while we have absolute faith in each other… while this string of aura has no limitations."

"So, you don't trust your partner Daniel completely… because of a string of aura that interlocks you two. What I pointed out originally, at the time, was that he believes in you… trusts you to have his back… Now that you've developed feelings for each other, you're worried about this connection?"

"No, not that…" Killua let out a frustrated groan. He didn't mean for it to be interpreted that way. What he meant is he's trying to say that he's worried it could result in them getting hurt. Letting out an exhausted sigh, he continued "What I mean is… I trust him… I do have feelings for him and am willing to say I love him."

The boy blushed at his admittance, but he was far from over "But I'm also concerned for him. You see, I can bend and manipulate electricity… I don't want to one day, activate my ability and accidentally fry him like roast chicken… That doesn't mean I trust him less, or myself less for that matter… I'm worried about electrocuting him. If that were to happen…"

Killua shook his head. He doesn't want to finish that statement, to think of the possibility "Bisky once told me I'd leave Gon and Daniel behind one day… It was all because of an internal issue… something forced down my throat when I was younger. While Bisky and I were sparring, there was a moment where I acted with the intent for flight… I felt fear to the point, my body was prepared to run away for her. At the time, I believed I wasn't strong enough to beat her… Now, after overcoming that limitation… breaking through that mental mindset, I'm thinking of the complete opposite. What if I get too strong…? What if by mixing Daniel's faith in me… and I fail to hold back in time, well, it's a recipe for disaster."

Wing fell silent, thinking of the best way to overcome this rising issue; Bisky would know best. She's more versatile and experienced. Also, considering not only she was the first one to bring up this issue and she's also a transmuter, but she should also be able to better to handle Killua's issue, the boy's fear of that possibility, "So you don't want to erase the connection you two have."

Killua's cheeks burned from his incoming answer, but there's no way for him to dance around the topic, "No… I like having this connection… even if it's considered dangerous to have in the long run."

"Hmm…" Wing smiled at the information, "So you're in quite the conundrum. I personally, cannot help you in this situation. However, Biscuit Krueger, my mentor and now yours, would definitely… be able to help you with this dilemma. I can only offer advice… If you haven't done so yet, speak to Daniel about your concerns, but if you have… I would suggest a limitation on both sides of the string of aura, a barrier that both you and Daniel are willing to compromise on."

The man just parroted Zushi's solution, albeit, in better terms "I have brought this up with Daniel… But, thank you for the advice. When it comes to building this limitation on each of our sides… neither of us is sure about how to do it. Daniel doesn't even understand why he built this connection in the first place…" That's a lie… we might have an idea, considering he got his memories back, but, I haven't… and maybe getting mine back, would be the key to understanding why it exists…

"Then, it's something the two of you must learn and understand." Wing stated with a nod.

"My pleasure, anything else you want to bring up?"

Killua shook his head, "No, nothing at all."

"Then enjoy the rest of your day."

"Thank you… you too."

When Killua hung up, Wing's eyes narrow. Killua is hiding something… Let's hope Bisky can pluck it out of him.

"What's wrong Wing-San?"

"Oh nothing, it sounds like Killua and Daniel are getting along. He just had pressing concerns about the connection Daniel and himself share."

"Oh…" Zushi then pointed a finger at the man's untucked shirt, "Your shirt isn't tucked in again."

The man with an apologetic smile scrambled to fix his shirt. I hope that the two of them can understand how that connection works before it's too late…

"~"

Killua sighed as he scrolled through the contacts, scrolling past Old Hag up to Daniel's father, Nathaniel's contact number, "Please, have something that can help us…" Pressing the call button, he waited for the man to pick up.

"Hey, Killua… anything wrong? How can I help you?"

"Hey…" Killua thought about for a second. He feels close to Nathanial, given that the man acted like a father figure for Alluka. He showed her what it was like to have a normal family, what it felt like to have a member of your family care about your wellbeing, "Uncle Nathan."

"Uncle…" Nathaniel paused to smile at the title. Uncle… he'd never expected to be called that by Killua, but he was glad the boy was open enough to use such a term. He wondered what brought it on "Never expected you to utter that to me. Should I be worried… are you three, ok? Please tell me this isn't coding for you being in danger… I'd prefer you to continue calling me on familiar terms, but I'd prefer you do so when you're not in danger…"

Killua smirked at the words, as sincere as the man felt with his questions, anyone could've heard how happy he was to be referred to as an uncle "No, we're fine. No danger, yet…"

"That's good to hear, although, the yet part is a cause for concern. However, give that right now you're ok, you calling me uncle is quite the curveball."

"If I'm being honest…" Killua felt a smile grow across his features, "given all the stuff that's happened between Daniel, Alluka and myself… having been able to depend on you for help, is the very reason I felt like saying that. As you know, my family would never go out of their way to help Daniel or Alluka, especially, like you have…"

"Well, in that case…" Nathaniel crossed a single arm over his chest, his smile growing as the seconds past "you don't have to be that distant with me. I accept dad or papa; either works fine for me… I want you to know, after how much you've been through with Daniel, I… love you like a son… I love Alluka like a daughter. You two are a part of this family… no matter how broken it is right now."

"Noted…" Killua knew Nathaniel could be sappy… but he didn't think he could be that sappy. He made Alluka and himself feel so welcomed into the family, that it was like a dream. Even if the two of them were to be expunged from the Zoldyck's history books… they'd still have Daniel's family welcome them with open arms. However, hearing that final statement, how it was filled with sorrow… it broke his heart.

No matter how much of an asshole Vastorie may act like right now… Nathaniel still loves that man. Considering what he's gone through, he understands the sentiment. When Daniel lost his memories… it killed him to have to pretend that his feelings didn't exist.

He understands that aspect… what he doesn't understand, is why Vastorie is acting this way… Why he's being so distant when he knows, even though Nathaniel regrets allowing Victor to live, he'd still go out of his way to help his husband bring Victor down.

"So, what brings you to this call." Nathaniel brought them back to the topic at hand, why Killua originally called him in the first place.

Killua closed his eyes, stopping himself from thinking further on that part of the topic. He called for a reason, and that was to help them find a way to protect themselves from Victor's ability "Well, you have access to Vastorie's physical copy of Sage's Archive, so… I was wondering if you help us out with a dilemma."

"Sure, just ask this… now a humble librarian for assistance."

Killua chuckled softly. His lips then tightened, looking over the horizon towards the distant school buildings, "As you're well aware of the fact, Daniel has built this string of aura between us."

"Yep, what's the problem?"

"We want to enhance it… we wanted to make it strong enough so that if Victor were to tamper with our memories, he wouldn't be able to do so while this bond we have is active."

"Hmm… sounds like a well thought out idea. While it's not possible to counter a Manipulator's ability naturally, unless, it's a case where it becomes a contradiction. Like if someone were to magnetize people, another manipulator who can glue themself to the spot… in theory, shouldn't be able to be pulled. That aside, one manipulator can't affect another's turf. So, either Daniel manipulating you or creating a bridge of sorts where you're under a mutual agreement, would also, in theory, make it impossible for Victor to sabotage your memories…"

"You wouldn't happen to know of such a process…?"

"Off the top of my head… no. Any idea what you're ideally looking for?"

"We're looking to create a bond which stops us from infringing on each other's ability, like him accessing my ability or me accessing his, while also having a bridge that connects our memories, so if I'm forced to forget about Daniel, he would be able to reboot my memories… or something of a similar effect."

"Hmm…" Nathaniel hummed in understanding, his eyes diverting to the nearest wall. Sounds reasonable, but difficult, "Sounds plausible, but there might not be something in Vastorie's journals. Are you prepared for that outcome…?"

Killua had already thought about that possibility. If that's the case, they still have one more option, before they're forced to think about on their own "Yes… I still have one more person I can ask for help. And if she can't help us, and you can't find the information… it means we're on our own. We'll have to figure it out."

"So, even if I don't find anything, and this other person can't help you… you won't give up?"

"Yes… being chased by Victor has made me hyperaware of our situation, our life and what we ultimately want. My whole life I was taught family was important, then they locked up Alluka… calling her a thing, a freak of nature… Then they told me I don't need friends… however, I met Gon, Daniel, Leorio and Kurapika… who walked into the Zoldyck Estate like they owned the place, just to bring me back. Sure, there are some parts I wouldn't mind changing, like, I'd try to be a little more open with myself, sure… But, with where we are now… what we have… I don't want to lose any of it…"

Nathaniel broke out into a huge smile, "I'm glad. I'm glad to have you a part of my son's life… mine, and I'm sure…" The man shook his head. Let's not go there for the moment "No… I won't get too sentimental with you. I'm just glad to have you apart of our family's life. I'll talk to Zaikaria… I want her to revoke her request… You've been there for my son… for her brother… She doesn't need to see your memories to understand that you care about Daniel… between myself, Scarlet and Akshasamat, I think we can convince her that she doesn't need them to understand."

Killua sucked in a breath, "I…" He didn't know how to react to that. He didn't know how to respond because, in all honesty, Nathaniel has a way of hitting him on an emotional level. Daniel definitely, was more of a spitting image of Nathaniel, then he was of Vastorie, "Thank you… I…"

"You don't have to say anything, just keep doing what you're doing. If you make a mistake, I won't hold it against you… because I know you're just trying to do the best you can do."

Killua covered his eyes; he could feel the tears escaping. Right now, he feels so loved and wanted. He's a part of an amazing family, a family who loves him for who he is… and not what he's meant to be. He doesn't know what he should say… let alone, how he should react.

But what he does know, is he needs to say something, but the moment he opened his mouth, he choked on a sob "Thank you…" he began to sob quietly, hoping that Nathaniel could hear none of it.

"No, thank you… for being there for my son."

Unfortunately for Killua, the words had broken him. Being constantly reminded that even if he was imperfect, he was still loved. Nothing about him needed to be changed, they wanted him for who he was. His sobs could be heard over the phone.

Rather than asking what was wrong, he could hear the man trying to console him.

He'll have to call Bisky once he calmed down. She'll definitely… think of the worst-case scenario.