Ashton takes a snap, but are the results worth it?

A\N: Completely forgot to post a chapter yesterday (It's past midnight when posting it) oops.

Ashton had two cameras, one around her neck while her hands held a professional camera, directing the boys into several poses.

Killua and Daniel seemed to ignore the camera around her neck, never questioning the ancient-looking camera. Their eyes were more focused on the one in her hands, the one she was constantly adjusting, including, changing her height or stance to get a better angle.

Shadows could play a part in each photo. She didn't want them looking like she tried to snap a shot of pearly whites while a mag light was being shined on them. That was why she put a little bit of make-up on them, to make it easier to take photos.

Killua was unnaturally pale, any photos she would take, it'd probably make poor Killua look like an otherworldly alien. Daniel was just as bad, although, not as pale as his partner.

Getting the right angle could help make those shadows pop.

Besides getting good poses, one thing she would never do is take photos of raunchy poses; even if they were adults, it wasn't a part of her mainstream magazines. If they happen to accidentally pose like that, she'd delete the photo.

No point keeping it, even if one of the teens was doing a stupid pose.

What she would keep, is the bloopers. Like, a shocked expression because one of them bumped the other, stumbling mid-shot.

If she were to ever take a raunchy picture, it'll be one, that supports body positivity. No matter if it was a mole, a birthmark, a scar from surgery or a dangerous accident that happened in their younger years, they were merely quirks that made them unique. Neither Killua, nor Daniel showed any shame towards their body, but if they did, she'll speak to them about it.

She wouldn't put them through a photo shoot, to make a point that their uniqueness made them one of a kind. It'll make zero sense to put them through that process.

She'll rather talk about it… talk to them about accepting that part of themselves.

But none of those matters… neither of them brought it up, so there was zero point about bringing it up. If they do however bring up something about it, she'll listen. If they really, wanted to cover up scars or blemishes, she'd offer advice alongside information about accepting those finer details.

Taking another shot, she directed them once more "Killua, left arm around Daniel's shoulder, one around his chest, we're going for a hugging pose." She took a snap, "keep those intimate gazes to a minimum. We're promoting young love, not aiming for a front cover on a playboy magazine."

"PLAYBOY?!" Killua's cheeks flushed at the insinuation. The way she said it so casually, made him believe her words. As much as he knows that they would never appear on the front of those types of magazines, mainly due to their age… the fact they could see them appearing on one if they were in their twenties, made him think otherwise.

Especially, himself, if Daniel had a say… His boyfriend was often joking about how he was ripped for days.

However, he didn't believe he was giving any of those sorts of looks, that was until, he remembered about his partner… the way Daniel sometimes looked at him "You heard the lady…"

Daniel adjusted his posture for Ashton, speaking through his teeth "I am not looking at you like I want you."

"Are you sure…? Because I'm certainly not giving any of those looks." Killua retorted, a sly smile wanting to escape. Unfortunately, while he was posing, he was unable to do anything like that.

"Less yapping, more posing…" Ashton argued, twisting her frame to get a better angle.

"We are!" Killua whined, the lady taking a perfect snapshot of him being caught in a pouty mood.

She chuckled, "Saving that for the bloopers reel. What's your complaint, stiffness?"

Killua could take it one way, be he knows she meant it the other "While I am sore from constantly holding poses, I am not complaining about that… it was what you said!"

"Which is…" Ashton raised an eyebrow, the camera now at her side.

"The front cover of a playboy magazine…"

"Right… Well, I'm not insinuating the come-hither look. I'm talking about the longing, lingering glances. I want more smiles, less tenderness. Especially you, Daniel."

"I'm not that bad…" The boy retorted, "I think I'm doing great."

"If I see one more longing look, I'm going to spray you with a water bottle, because you be acting thirsty." As Killua burst into laughter, Daniel's expression fell.

"Thirsty?" Alluka asked.

Ashton pouted, "Has your brother not taught you anything?" She looked toward Killua, "Bad Killua…"

"I'm not explaining what thirsty means…" He gave the older woman a pointed look. He was annoyed at the situation, being pressed yet again to talk about something he'd rather not do. Didn't she talk to him about not pressuring his partner into doing anything he's uncomfortable with?

Yet, she was doing it with him… only it's more about being open with his sister about terms and meanings.

"Oh, don't look annoyed at me…" She took a photo before adjusting her figure "It's about being open with your discussion. Do not leave her out of the conversation, just because you want to preserve her innocence. She is only one year younger than you… which means she's already on the cusp, or in the process of going through puberty."

"I know…" Killua let out an annoyed huff, "I know…"

Ashton pointed a finger at the younger boy, "I'm sure you would've like to know things, without having to stumble across them, yourself through trial and error. Besides…" She took another snap of Killua's expression, "This is all about having a little fun during the shots. Like isn't about being happy twenty-four seven. You'll have your ups and downs… your happy and sad moments… make each moment count, because you won't get a second chance for a redo."

"By the way, Alluka…" The older woman looked towards the younger girl, offering her a cheeky smile "It usually means someone who desperately desires intimacy."

"Ashton…" Killua looked mortified at the older woman.

"Would you rather I say its literal meaning?"

"No…"

Ashton raised an eyebrow. His tone was a little concerning… it hinted toward relief; possibly due to the fact he wouldn't have to explain what being thirsty is. Then again, there were signs of embarrassment to…

Maybe he didn't want to explain it because he'd incriminate himself in the process "Anyways, we got a couple of good shots… I've got a few I can place in a story section. I'm not going to ask you for a four-thousand-word short story, but I will be expecting at least a one-hundred-word paragraph about what I asked…"

"We know…" The two boys stated in unison.

Ashton lifted the camera, once more directing the boys "Good, now put those smiles on and give me a neutral pose. Anything you like… This one will be for your scrapbook."

"Anything…?"

"PG-rated…" The woman clarified to the boys.

Daniel directed his partner as he kneeled, getting his boyfriend to sit on his propped knee. With one hand around his partner's waist, the other went around his chest, tilting his boyfriend's head slightly in his direction.

Daniel followed it through by closing his eyes, a smile widening as he pressed his cheek against his lover's. The angle he held, made it look like Killua was kissing him, but what he was aiming for was to be closer to his boyfriend, to be happy to have him so close.

Ashton shook her head in disbelief, "I see what you're going for and it's gonna make one of you look ugly, with his face squished against yours. Let me help…" The woman got closer, "Relax the hand…"

Grabbing the boy's hand, she moved it lower, keeping it under his chin, rather than squishing against Killua's face. She next moved Killua's legs so he looked comfortable, rather than sitting with his legs spread, which, unfortunately, at the same time made it look like he had three legs.

Now that he was seated more comfortably, he wouldn't have to worry about that.

She next tilted Killua's face so he was looking a little forward, rather than off to the side. With Killua fixed, she moved on to the other. She brought Daniel's face to Killua's, not completely squishing the two, but close enough to where she'll be able to see both. She tilted the boy's waist, so he could hug the boy more comfortably before moving the hand that was once hugging Killua, to having the hand rest on Killua's knee "I said relax it…"

Now that Daniel was relaxed, she moved the arm so it looked like Daniel was pulling Killua into a hug, rather than the boy sitting on his knee "Okay, now do your goofy smile and hold it…"

She moved back, lining up her shot, "Please smile Killua… try not to look too awkward."

"You're not the one sitting on somebody's knee right now…" Regardless of the situation, he smiled anyway.

Ashton took a shot, smiling at the photo. When she looked up to congratulate the boys for surviving, she saw Daniel had kissed his partner on the cheek, the other flushed red. Her expression melted, "Alright, alright… break-"

She pulled out her second camera, aiming it carefully. With a snap aura, circled the lens, dispersing in a manner that startled the boys.

"What was that?" Killua asked, shocked to see the woman holding the other camera. It oozed aura, glowing radiantly as though she were recording a video of them, rather than taking a photograph.

A white square ejected from the front, the woman pulling it out to look at the image. It was a moment, a moment that would disappear forever if the boys were to touch it. She held it up "Ready to see what the future held?"

The two nod. Ashton got closer, showing the image of their last shot.

They raised an eyebrow, still stuck in their previous pose. It was a photo of Daniel kissing him "We're still in the previous pose."

"That's because the two of you need to hold the photo. Grab a corner each and let us see what the future holds for you…"

Swallowing thickly, the two grabbed a corner each. The image shifted, what were once expressions of happiness; were replaced by terrifying expressions, one being more angry than terrified. In one corner, Killua looked like he was running towards Daniel, maybe even perhaps being pushed away. His hand was reaching out, unable to grasp his partner.

There were tears, a boy fearful of the outcome to come.

Killua pulled it away, expecting to see the image revert to its old one. But it remained the same. It was now permanent, unable to hide the truth of what was to come…

Danger…

Killua tilted his head, switching his view to his partner.

From the angle, Daniel looked… odd. One arm was swinging out, going out of the frame. He didn't know what his partner was doing, but there was definitely, something off to the side that set him off. He was not only pissed, but his rage also oozed hatred at the unknown entity.

But there was another problem… or at least unusual to him. The other arm was missing or was it due to his angle, that would be considered well-hidden rather than missing. He tilted the image, expecting it to show him more.

But it never did… it was a static image, one that told him whatever was off to the side… threatened their lives.

If he had a guess, it had something to do with Victor, but the problem is it shouldn't be possible. Maybe he should make a call to Annex, and see if he still has eyes on Victor.

It can never hurt to be too safe from the possibility.

Either way, whatever or whoever it was, it made them terrified of an approaching possible outcome. The fact that Daniel was dealing with something head-on, something that made him both terrified… and angry, was a serious warning…

They needed to be prepared "What's going on? I thought we'd be happy… not… whatever this is?"

Ashton grabbed the photo, looking it over. Whatever Killua and Daniel saw, she sees it now too "I said a snapshot that will be a turning point for you… good or bad."

Daniel grabbed the photo, looking over the tiny details, trying to find anything that his partner may have not spotted "It looks pretty, bad… from our point of view. Am I missing an arm, or is it at a weird angle?"

"Either way, it's bad… we need more information! Can you take another photo, maybe at a different angle? Something that can help us pinpoint who is off to the side?"

"No can do…" Ashton frowned, "It's a static shot. AND it's something important that will come to pass… even if you're aware of this, it won't change the outcome of the next photo."

"Shit…" Killua's eyes focused on the photo, biting his thumb at the prospect of not knowing who or how to deal with the encroaching situation. Even if they progress faster with their training, the outcome will always be the same… them, landing in that spot once more "Daniel, I'm going to make a call to Annex, you need to see if you can spot anything I missed. A clue…"

The boy left before Daniel could stop him, now looking glum at the photo. Ashton brought a hand to the boy's shoulder, "I can't tell you the reason why you got this outcome… but I might know someone who could help you."

"Who…?" The boy looked up with a hopeful expression. If they hold the key… if they can tell them who threatens their lively hood, they may still be able to avoid the outcome… even though Ashton says they won't.

"Sarah Servedio…"

"Wait, isn't that Rosalia's wife?"

"You know her…?" Ashton raised an eyebrow, wondering how they knew about her.

"Not, exactly… We only heard her name in passing from Mikkel, due to an unrelated question. She studied Engineering."

"She did… I assume you have a question related to her trade…"

"Yes…" He was sure Killua wouldn't like him airing out his dirty laundry, so he'd rather not tell her about his deal with his partner… about him making a chocolate fountain cake, still… it was a little important to the matter at hand "It's about making a device, but, seeing Rosalia is just as important… she can make the finishing touches on our weapons."

"I see…" She caught a glimpse of the weapons on their way back from training… they looked quite deadly, at least, from her point of view. But given both boys are constantly training, she assumes they know what they're doing "Well, she is an engineer… so she'll probably have a part to play in your weapons final touch-ups… but her ability will be useful to you. I suggest you hold onto the photo, show it to her… she may be able to glean more from the situation."

"Thank you…"

"You're welcome…" She kneeled before the boy, "Is there anything else you want to ask me? Maybe, about something you have learned today…?"

"No… I'm content with learning the fact that I'm attracted to only Killua right now. As you said, it may change in the future, but for right now… it makes me happy knowing this fact."

"Alright… but if anything changes, my doors are always open."

"Thank you…"

"~"

Killua dialled Annex's number, calling the one person who can help him out right now. Although, he doesn't know how much the man will be willing to reveal.

It took a couple of minutes, but eventually, the call got through after a third attempt "To who do I owe the pleasure of talking to?"

"Killua, Daniel Darkscryer's boyfriend."

"Right, so how may I assist you?"

"Has anything involving Victor Tempest changed? Where is he…?"

"I can tell you he's not doing anything abnormally weirder than usual… he's moving from continent to continent…" The man scanned across the network, pulling up the feed of the nearest camera linked to the man. He was talking to someone; somebody he doesn't recognise "He's in Padokea right now… talking with…"

He typed away at a keyboard, pulling up the person's public record "A politician… I'll have to forward that information to Vastorie later, anyways nothing any more unusual than normal…"

"Padokea? Oh, you mentioned he was in Padokea earlier… by chance, has he gone to Kukuroo Mountain?"

Annex typed a few commands, checking to see where the man had been in the last few months. Several pings appeared on a map. Zooming in on Padokea, his eyes scanned across the map. There was a pitstop near the mountain, but it was in the city, far from the location "Near it… he made a stop at the city, but he didn't approach the mountain, may I ask why?"

"If he goes to Kukuroo mountain, I need to know… my family lives there."

"I know…" Annex hummed with a cheeky grin. He knows all about their history now. He got curious about what was being held on the hacker's computer one day. There was a lot of porn… but there were also juicy details hidden away, tucked behind encryption that made him salivate with anticipation.

Passwords, contracts… purchases… dealers… even hidden political figures that are helping hide away their dirty work. There was enough to bring them down… but the risk of releasing that information will put his life in serious, danger.

He wasn't about to tango with the wolves, but having this information could not only be beneficial to him, but it could later be useful to someone like Killua… if he ever wanted to investigate his dark history.

"Oh, by the way… while I have you on call." The man tucked the information away in his database, "I just completed the second phone a day ago. I'll finish the third, not next week, but the following one. So, expect to receive your new phone in a month or two…"

"Fantastic… So, Victor hasn't made a move on us?"

"He did briefly land on the same continent as you at one point, but it looks like it was a redirected flight… so, no. You're fine. Did something concerning happen? Was another hitman sent to you?"

"No, nothing of that sort…" Killua bit their lip, wondering if talking about the picture is the reason that scene comes to pass… but even still, Ashton said it was bound to happen, regardless of what they do. With a heavy sigh, he spoke about the image "We're talking with a Nen user that has a form of Clairvoyance. In the future, we're bound to get attacked… we don't know if it's in a day… a month… but I'll say within a year, judging by the image of us in the photo…"

"Shit… Send me a photo, I'll see if I can narrow down the location. Maybe if you can avoid the area, you won't get attacked."

"The thing is… It will come to pass… it's something that unavoidable."

"Alright, I'll at least see where it is. If Victor goes to that area, at least I can tell you to avoid that place in advanced… provided I can find it."

"We're going to see another seer anyways, so she might be able to tell us more."

"Keep me posted… I'll try to get in contact with Vastorie, to tell him about-"

"Leave him out of this. The less he knows the better it will be for us. Him finding out may be the reason why it happens sooner, rather than later."

There was a heavy sigh over the receiver, "Understood… but if things go belly up, I'm notifying him without hesitation… if the damn man ever resurfaces, again."

Annex ended the call abruptly, causing Killua to raise a concerning eyebrow. What did he mean by if he ever resurfaces? Did Vastorie go into hiding…? If so, why? Looking back in the direction of where his partner was, he wondered if this was something they should be worried about… or something that they didn't need to be concerned about.

Provided Vastorie continued to support them from the shadows, he supposes it shouldn't be something to worry about. For now, he'll just need to bring it up with Daniel.