Killua finally breaks through the wall, remembering the last piece of his past.

With Their feelings on the matter changed, a new avenue opened for them… it was time to redirect their energy. The two found out something new about Daniel and while something about the situation bugged Killua, there wasn't much he could do about the matter on hand.

The crucial piece to help him meld the final piece of the jigsaw is missing; only one person could supply that information…

Vastorie Darkscryer…

But the guy was MIA, so hopefully, his husband… Daniel's other father could help them out.

Killua made the call, the phone on loudspeaker so the two of them could hear.

Sure, someone walking by could also overhear the conversation, but they didn't mind. The kind of information they were seeking, was useless to everyone, but themselves.

It took a few seconds longer than usual; the phone was answered by someone with a groggy voice. Killua's gotta stop predicting, or in his case… calling when that man is asleep.

"Sorry, did we wake you, dad?"

"Daniel…" There was a second delay before the man repeated himself once more "Daniel?! Are you okay… is everything fine?"

"We're fine… no issues, so far… It seems father is protecting me from the shadows?"

"The shadows…?"

"You don't know…?"

"Know what?"

Daniel looked towards Killua, a little shocked at the revelation. Killua brought the man up to speed, about his husband's disappearance.

"Fuck… there are so many reasons why he'd do such a thing… and I think I know why. Did you hear about the Senator? It was all over the news."

"Senator Kevin Goldwin?"

"Yeah, your father might be involved in the matter… If he's been found out, he may have made someone's shit list, which means… nobody will be able to get a hold of him now. Ah, shit…" The man cursed once more, "Why can't you just…" He sighed in defeat, "There's nothing we can do. So, how can I assist you?"

"Nothing at all…?" Killua questioned; he wanted to make sure that all avenues had been explored. He doesn't know how good Vastorie is at hiding… but if a skilled hacker can break into his family's network when that fat pig refuses to leave his seat for anything, other than food and snacks… says flushing that man out is a difficult task… it must be insanely difficult.

Milluki was a master hacker, to the point he managed to keep their network safe for years. Either, he has gotten sloppy or Annex's skills far surpassed his brother's. Regardless of that situation, that hacker will fall on his family's shit list.

Too bad… Killua plans to continue working alongside that hacker, as his skills would prove to be more useful than Milluki's would.

"Unless you have an All-Seeing Eye in your arsenal, nothing can find him…"

Killua had something to that effect, but he wasn't about to use a wish to find someone who didn't want to be found "Right, well… we want to know something… Well, I want to know something before I ask anything else."

As Daniel raised an eyebrow, Killua broached a curious question "Daniel says he hasn't… but has he ever had a crush on anybody? When he was really, young? During a stage, he might not remember?"

"Besides you… no."

"You asked my dad because…?"

"As toddlers, we say the strangest of things. I was wondering if you said anything back then…"

"Well, as you now know… his first crush was you. Before… Zaikaria tampered with those memories. I was against it, but it was two against one. Vastorie agreed with his daughter…"

"Let's add that to the long list of things I don't like about the man…" Killua interjected.

"Right… but he did mention that there will come a time where they meet again… and the cycle will repeat. I think in the end… it turned out good. You have been a good influence on each other."

"I uh…" Killua turned bright red, "Don't know what to say."

"Nothing… so what's your other question, because I doubt you wanted to seek out and eliminate Daniel's other crushes… if he had any."

"No, I wouldn't have…" Killua felt his cheeks brighten from the accusation. Jealousy would definitely, consume his feelings if his partner ever pointed at another guy and stated they were hotter than him.

But considering he now feels like he knows how Daniel's feelings work, that was unlikely to happen. His boyfriend was completely invested in him. Coughing once, the boy redirected the conversation "Any- Anyways, I have a more pressing dilemma. Would you or Vastorie be aware of anyone that can mimic the flow of aura?"

"Certainly!"

Killua looked at the phone dumbfounded. He wasn't expecting an immediate answer "Who?"

"Ging Freecss…"

"Gon's father…?"

"The same one I believe… though many would argue he's less of a father, and more as a… sperm donor."

"In what kind of way…?" Killua questioned; an eyebrow now raised about the argument.

"To put it bluntly, after the whole debacle during the election… people think less of him. He spent more of his life running away from his son, being a Hunter… going as far to even ditch him with his aunt."

"We met her… she's a lovely person."

"No doubt. Going by the stories I've heard of Gon, he's made mistakes, but seriously… name someone who hasn't at this point. Also, going by how the boy talks to me… he's actually, asked for some advice… or contacts Vastorie has built over the years. Right now he's on Rosalia Island completing a Hunter's request."

"Wait, a second!" Killua interrupted, now jealous of the situation "YOU GOT HIM A JOB, ON A RESORT ISLAND! The one that takes months to land a spot in…"

"I did…"

"Can you pull us some strings?"

"I could… but none of the people on that list is on that island right now. At least, I hope not…"

"I don't care, that would be a great trip to bring Alluka on. A resort Island… damn… that sounds so nice."

"I could try… but it's unlikely at this point. Besides, I think it'll be something best left for later… when you're older. You'll appreciate what the resort has to offer… especially considering your circumstances."

Killua sighed in defeat. The man was probably right… they've got thousands of other things on their mind… a trip to a resort was probably the last place they should be "You're probably right…"

"Gon went there because he wanted his partners to have a good time, which makes me believe his aunty raised him right. Although, I'm only aware of the aunt because of a very loud man."

"Leorio?"

"Leorio…" The man sighed, "Yup, that's him. But I guess none of this is important information to you, especially with what you're seeking. You, want to know about what Ging can do, hmm? So far, he's skilled at replicating Emitter-style abilities… or so I've heard. It's mainly a rumour, but consider how strong he is… I wouldn't be surprised if that's his main ability. However, what I can't tell you is… if he can copy all categories."

"I'm not asking about Nen, abilities… I'm talking about the flow, as in the thing that makes us who we are?"

Nathaniel had to stop and think, "In theory… I would imagine so. But I've never heard of someone completely replicating someone else's personality, ideals, every bone, and fibre of their being… I don't think it's at all possible. Because even if someone got surgery, and was completely changed to act like somebody else, it's almost impossible to replicate them to a 'T'. There shouldn't be a way for someone to copy our flow… There will always be this lingering sensation, a marking left by us that will make even a perfect copy of someone else seem unique to a keen eye. What comes from our core shouldn't be able to be replicated, by another…"

There was a long pause, the two boys silent on the other end "May I ask why?"

"Killua… and let's be honest, I, want to know if it's at all possible to replicate someone to their core, to the point it could disrupt our connection?"

"Yes and no… could they get the perfect sync? I can see it being a possibility. But syncing is one thing… being them, is something different. Like I say, even a replica has their own, uniqueness. If your, aim is to stop that from happening… you're going to extend your resources way too far. Focus on yourselves and each other. Don't think about this possibility. I can guarantee… if it comes knocking on your door, you'll still be able to tell the difference."

Nathaniel smiled, his words portraying the love and kindness he feels towards his son, and future son-in-law "If he can fall for you twice, never remembering his first encounter with you… it wasn't meant to be a friendship… it was bound to be something more than I care about you as a friend, you're more than that to him."

Killua's eyes widened, something inside, like a thread being pulled till it snapped in twine. He remembered something, something he could recall so clearly… like it had happened only yesterday "You are a GENIUS!"

"I am…?"

"Can Daniel tell you later, I want to tell him something before I forget it!"

"I uh… sure?"

Killua hanged up before Daniel could protest, his partner bringing his hand up to his shoulders. They held his shoulders firmly; a smile now as bright as Gon's…

No, it was far brighter than Gon's has ever been… when it was being directed at him "I remember what I told my brother… what I told Illumi all those years ago! I said he's the first friend I've ever had… I know that he assumed… that he may never like me because of what I do for a living… BUT I won't let you take this chance away from me! I'm doing what's right… and if it's against what's right to my family… it's a risk I'm willing to take…"

Killua frowned, "Illumi tried to use Alluka against my reasoning… if I was willing to Sacrifice him… as in… Alluka. But I held firm to my belief. Sure, now I see it as something risky, but back then… I didn't see it that way. If I could save you… While it wouldn't have made up for the countless lives I had taken, it's a bloody start to the one chance of friendship I thought I could have had."

"Then you met Gon…"

"I did… but I met you, again… at the same time. So, I wasn't far off my reasoning." Killua smirked, "I guess your sister ruined our first chance of an earlier friendship."

"Your brother ruined it as well…"

"He did…" Killua chuckled to himself, laughter now bellowing out of him from the sincere revelation. Sure, none of this helped them discover why the bond exists if they, themselves, created it during that time…

But before his brother took away his memories, he was willing to cast everything away, for a chance of normalcy…

If Alluka wasn't bound… wasn't trapped by his family, he could've seen himself walking away from everything.

This brought them back to square one, the how and why it exists…

"I think your father is right… thinking about trying to protect ourselves from an unlikely possibility will only stretch our resources and ourselves thin. If he does say it's difficult unless proven otherwise…"

But somehow, now that he remembers what he said to his brother back then… would it be enough for Zaikaria to leave them alone?

If she took everything at face value… it's a possibility.

Voicing those concerns to his partner would help them figure things out, at least in discovering certain qualities that can be used later, like convincing that woman that he's in this relationship for the long run "I think we should focus on improving ourselves like we have been doing already. Not just because of Victor's possible interference at a later date… but your sister and my brother's abilities could prove problematic if we fail here."

"I agree with you about your brother and Victor… but not so much my sister. Now, I understand the two of you clashed… and I mean pretty, hard. I'm surprised nobody got decapitated at some point. But if she can just see that memory… without being invasive if I'm being honest, she should back off… if she doesn't after that point, I'm sorry… but I'm gonna get upset at her. Angry… if she keeps pushing."

"She is bad… and I understand that she wants to protect you, but there's a fine line between protecting and controlling. She has stepped over that line multiple times. And while she's not as bad as my brother, because she has limitations on her ability… like the fact if she tried to erase your memories of me, it could kill you… it will not excuse the situation."

"I understand… I'll make it clear to her if she tries to pull that stunt again."

"That's all I can ask for…" Killua gave a soft smile.

"So…" Daniel wiggled his eyes suggestively, "You wanted to use your abilities to save me as your redemption arc."

"Seriously… that's what you're going to take from my memories?"

"Not just that… I was your first friend, even though you said Gon was."

Killua rolled his eyes at the argument, "On a technicality, he still was. You were knocked out, so you had no chance to accept the terms of friendship."

"But you considered it…" Daniel leaned forward, both hands being placed at either side of Killua, effectively trapping his partner "You wanted a friend and now that friend has become more to you."

"What of it…?"

"The benefits…" The boy exaggerated the last word, hoping to convince his partner of doing more than what was requested.

"You do know, that I know… you're using the word with the wrong context. So no, I'm not doing your work for you. Even if doing so benefits me…"

"But, Killua…"

"No 'buts', you have your work and I have mine…" The teen smirked.

"Fine then…" Daniel pouted, "I'll only do it if you help me understand something my father said."

"Which was…?"

"What do you suppose he means by there will come a time where they meet again… and the cycle will repeat?"

"He referenced the other world, so my theory can hold some truth."

"Including the cycle will repeat?"

"Yes, including that… We met twice. Once when we were younger and a second time at the Hunter's Exam. There's nothing strange about the argument, other than it points at the possibility that Vastorie might not be crazy… an idiot, certainly. But not crazy."

"Then… following your previous statements. Either we made the bond in this world, or it was transferred from that world."

"If the bond was made… I don't know when, why or how I came to accept it. But if it did come from the alternate world, hey… less work for us. Oh and hey…" Killua clasped a hand on his partner's shoulder, "I'm not being forced to be with you. Kay?"

"Kay…"

"There was another thing I wanted to ask…"

"Sure…"

"Why didn't you mention the picture?"

"Nathaniel is already stressed… I don't want to add more to the situation. It's bound to happen, so him trying to stop it, may reduce our chances of getting the best outcome. Sure, his involvement may also help our situation… but I deeply care about his well-being. The less he knows… the better he'll be in the long run."

"Alright… I understand."

"Good. Now, what are you thinking for Ashton's paragraph?"

"Stealing ideas, I see…"

"Nothing of that sort…" Killua admitted, "it's more to see if you've gotten a general idea."

"What's your general idea?"

"I'm gonna talk about my sister, as a sister… the things I learnt along the way. General stuff."

"I guess… I'll talk about how you changed my life, for the better."

"Sap…"

"No, I'm serious Killua… Being with you makes me happy. I've seen how you've grown… falling in love with your bad chocolate eating habits… but more importantly, you've helped me grow. I never allowed anyone to get close to me, so all those times I woke up after finding my head in your lap, were a shock to me, certainly… I don't usually let myself fall asleep in a stranger's lap, at least to the point I'm able to completely relax." Daniel melted at his partner's smile, almost forgetting what he wanted to say "But the more I learned, the more I realise outside of this cold exterior you present, is a kind-hearted boy that wanted to be loved for who he wants to be…"

"Maybe write that, I guess…"

"Please tell me you remember what I said because I seriously got lost in your eyes and smile, completely forgetting everything I said to you…"

"Seriously…?"

"Seriously!"

Killua rolled his eyes, "Get a pen and paper. What you said is…"

"~"

After making his notes, Daniel called his father, giving him an update on what Killua discovered for himself. He couldn't help but smile about the whole ordeal, his father never once interrupting him… stopping the teen from overloading him with information.

"It never seeks to amaze me by how much you've changed over these last few years. Someone who went from struggling to let others in… to being open like a book. I'm legitimately happy for you."

"Thanks, dad… now if only my sister could understand."

"I would say she was raised in a different era, but considering I'm one of the people who raised her, that will be insulting my skills as a parent. I can understand it's frustrating, but she's trying… struggling a lot. It goes against how she was brought up. Yes, she's been aware of Vastorie's tendency to kill people in the past… but she grew up knowing how kind he can be… when he's not being distant. He shows how much he cares about people in this self-destructive, murderous kind of way. Threatening other's lives in a manner to protect those he's close to."

The man sighed, "Now if I was in her shoes when I saw Killua carrying your bloody and bruised body, I'd have not reacted in a calm manner… that being said, I understand why Killua means so much to you now… you see something, that Zaikaria and myself wouldn't have seen. Now not to beat the dead horse any further… I want him to be a part of this family as much as you do… well, at least what remains of this family. Although, I understand how difficult that journey will be for the two of you. So, until then… I want the two of you to stay safe."

"We will stay as safe as we can…"

"I will hold you to that statement… is there anything else you need, after hanging up on me so abruptly?"

"No… I think we're good."

"Then I have my own, question…"

"Sure… ask away."

"I know you haven't talked to many people about him… but I know you've talked to a few and would like to get your opinion on your father. At least the one you've built so far…"

"He's arrogant, conniving… a piece of shit at times. He can do some good, but I don't think he's doing it for legitimate reasons. Whether he's doing it out of curiosity or for his own, form of redemption… He's done nothing for himself. It's always for someone else… never himself."

"He's living a lie…?" Nathaniel seemed hesitant to say it, but he's seen these bad habits crop up. It was only recently that shit hit the fan. From what information he has been able to pull… Vastorie was reclusive, no longer inquisitive.

He highly doubts the man's father forced this change…

It was always there… hiding in plain sight.

"He's not living it… he is living a lie."

"In what way?"

"Ever since Victor has shown up, everything about him has changed… What once was a kind-hearted, sexually perverted man… that's now gone. He does good. I can't deny that, after hearing their stories."

It was then Daniel felt Killua's eyes on his back, but he wasn't about to stop… he was going to roast his father "But his not doing it for legitimate reasons. But the things he's now doing, especially to Killua and myself, he's doing it to prove a point… that the world is unfair or something. I hate it… I hate him… I hate the him that he has become. I legitimately question what made you even love him… do you even love-"

The young teen stopped, stopping himself from further digging the hole he had already dug for himself. He has always cared about Nathaniel's opinion; he believed his father when he had a genuine concern… now he's shitting on the feelings the man has for someone… possibly had…

"I'll tell you one day… once you've talked to everyone. But for now, I'm not going to try to change your mind… tell you you're wrong, not when I'm starting to believe I might be the one in the wrong…"

"Can you at least tell me what made you fall for him?"

"I… it's a long story. Telling you might even change your opinion…"

"Please, tell me…"

"There's a time when he used to care… care about others, as you've heard. I saw him do something unforgivable… a part of me, now believes what he told me back then was a lie. No, it wasn't what he told me… it was what he showed me, a side of him… that's broken."

"Broken…?"

"Listen to everything everyone tells you about him. Once you've told me everything you have heard about him, I tell you the full story. Deal?"

Although he was reluctant, the teen agreed to the terms "Deal…"

"I'll talk to you later. Keep in touch." With that, the man hung up, the boy now turning around. Killua had been standing there, listening to the conversation. He knew his boyfriend had been standing there for a while.

"Are you okay…?"

"We need to learn everything about my father from the people on the list. Nathaniel promised to tell us the whole truth, once we relay the information to him."

"I guess we should get ready to move…" Killua offered a smile.

"First we have some homework to complete."

Crossing his arms, Killua sighed "I guess we should get to work."