Killua snarled, baring his teeth and falling into a defensive position. He slung Gon across his shoulders and slipped the iron chain of his meteor hammer out from beneath his torn cloak. Mike and the other Hell Hounds began to growl, ready to fight with Killua against whatever threat he'd detected.
In this case, the threat was Zebro.
The retired Valkyrie warrior given the task of caring for the Hell Hounds.
"Woah!" the elderly man gasped, startling as his Prince and the entire horde of Hell Hounds suddenly turned on him. He held his hands up in front of him, his tail hitting the ground in submission.
Killua wasn't convinced. "You have five seconds to explain yourself before I kill you," he threatened, his voice an emotionless void. His eyes were dark and raging with silent blue fire.
"Please! I did not mean to startle you Master Ki–"
"Give me the whistle," Killua ordered.
Zebro swiftly reached beneath the thick scales of his Dragon-leather cloak, and tossed a slender whistle into the snow before Killua. The whistle was carved from Dragon bone and painted black. He crushed the whistle beneath his boot. Zebro's eyebrows drew together in disappointment.
"Who did you signal?" Killua demanded.
"No one–"
"Who?!"
"Only me," came a third voice, this one from Killua's back.
The runaway prince whipped around to face Sequant, Zebro's assigned partner. The Valkyrie had dark skin and hair, with a leather hood pulled low over his eyes. He had a bow in hand, with three arrows trained on Killua. The scent of hemlock wafted from the tips.
"Whistle. Now," Killua ordered.
Sequant lowered the bow, tossed Killua his own whistle, and re-aimed the arrows.
Killua crushed his whistle, but didn't let his guard down. The Clan used these shrill Dragon bone whistles to signal each other and call in backup. The pitch was only audible to a handful of Valkyrie subspecies, as well as some other highly sensitive humanoids.
Whenever the Hell Hounds picked up on a target, the guards always knew. They'd signal each other, and then call in the stationed assassins on the outer wall. Allegedly only Sequant had been signaled, but Killua didn't believe that for a second.
"Who did you signal," he growled.
"No one," Sequant said, his voice emotionless and hollow. His eyes were unblinking as they stared Killua down from his position between the shoulders of two Hell Hounds. His wings were still and tucked tightly against his back, showing rigidity and distrust.
"You wouldn't dare lie to me," Killua said darkly. He released the glamour on his power, and sent a violent aura trickling across the snow towards Sequant, as well as Zebro behind him.
"Never," Sequant replied. He didn't react to Killua's aura, though he didn't block it with his own either. It was considered an act of treason to protect oneself from the aura of a Zoldyck. However, it was also considered an act of treason to show weakness in the face of a Zoldyck, so reacting to that raw aura was also a death sentence. One was expected to sit in pain and discomfort without the slightest flinch.
"Who… are they?" Gon rasped, still recovering from the poisonous aura of the Hell Hounds.
Sequant reacted immediately, letting the three poisoned arrows fly. Zebro chucked a silver dagger from where he stood in the trees at Killua's back. All four weapons shot through the air, aimed directly at Gon's skull.
Killua moved in a flash. He jumped six feet into the air, destroyed the weapons with Thunderbolt, and landed in a crouch. Sequant and Zebro were already on him, the former having drawn three more arrows and the latter descending upon Gon's helpless form with extended claws.
This time Killua ducked the arrows, leaving Zebro to knock them off course with the armor lining his forearm. He quickly swept the old man's feet out from under him with his tail, earning himself a split second of spare time while Sequant reloaded and Zebro stood back up.
He slung Gon off his shoulders, and sent a vicious chop to the side of his neck.
Gon passed out with a gag, his body falling limp in Killua's arms.
Sequant and Zebro backed down. The Hell Hounds watched on in silence, salivating for Killua's cue to attack.
The runaway prince glared Sequant down with undying rage. His aura communicated the same to Zebro. Neither of them showed regret, or even the slightest hint of apology. It didn't matter who Gon was or why Killua was protecting him. He was an intruder, and the one the Hell Hounds were after.
It was their job to kill anyone and everyone who dared stray on the property. You'd managed to survive the Hell Hounds? Quite the feat, but now you'd have to survive two Dragonite mercenaries. And they wouldn't be dissuaded by sunrise or tricked by a slight of hand.
The assault would only stop if the target was killed or incapacitated. Killua had knocked Gon unconscious, therefore incapacitating him and forcing the guards to back off.
Sequant and Zebro eyed Killua, who was now bleeding from the nose and stinking of ozone. He slowly moved the unconscious Gon into his arms, cradling him against his chest. His wings prickled, daring the guards to challenge him.
"You've returned to Kukuroo Mountain," Sequant observed as he slowly lowered his bow. "What business do you have here, Master Killua?" He said the title with contempt. Killua had expected as much. He'd abandoned the Clan, that was a blatant act of cowardice in the eyes of the Dragonite Valkyries. He'd also fatally wounded his mother and Milluki on the way out the door. He hadn't expected to be on the best terms with the others when he returned.
Then again, he hadn't expected to see anyone until he busted through the Testing Gate.
We lost track of time. Thanks to the storm, we never noticed nightfall. That was stupid, so incredibly stupid. I could have gotten Gon killed, I should have paid more attention. I'm relieved that Mike still answers to me though… the others attacked me without hesitation.
"As if you have the right to know," Killua spat. Sequant and Zebro had tried to kill Gon. He'd never forgive them, even if it had been following the codes.
"You've changed, Master Killua," Zebro observed respectfully. He walked around to stand at Sequant's side. Killua glared at the two of them. He kept his tail rigid, signaling Mike to stay ready.
He's right. I have changed. I'm a Master Sorcerer now, I broke through Illumi's conditioning, I'm considered royalty in two foreign nations, I have a fortune of gold to my name, I'm a celebrity in Yorknew city, and I'm recognized as a trusted ally by the Chimera Ant King.
But I'm also older, more mature, and my own fucking person.
I have Gon with me.
If they think I'm the same whiney little prince I was before then they've got another thing coming.
"I can't say the same for you," Killua growled. He'd kill the both of them without hesitation if they tried to make a move.
"It's wonderful to have you back," Zebro said, ignoring Killua's threats. "The Clan hasn't been the same since you left! Your mother will be beside herself!"
That's what I'm counting on.
"Who knows that I'm here," Killua demanded.
"No one by Sequant and I," Zebro responded.
Killua narrowed his eyes. He didn't like the crinkle to the old man's lips. They were lying to him, he was sure of it.
"Mike," he called. The enormous Hell Hound stood to attention, tail wagging as he awaited his orders. Sequant and Zebro stiffened. "Kill the assassins that are spectating me."
The guards winced.
Killua kept them pinned beneath his gaze as the Hell Hounds descended upon the squadron of assassins that were sprinkled about. Blood stained the snow, wings were torn apart, and armor was cracked beneath enormous teeth.
The deed was done in under a minute. The assassins hadn't cried out once. Mike walked back to Killua once he'd completed his order, and stood behind the prince. His enormous head shaded Killua from the faint light of the moon, and blood dripped down from his steaming maw. It drenched Killua's hair and trickled down one half of his face. Mike stood, protective, ever the loyal companion.
"Good boy, Mike," Killua praised.
The Hound licked its nose, humming in satisfaction.
Sequant and Zebro shrunk beneath Killua's pressing gaze. They kept their eyes trained on the ground at his feet. They'd been beaten at their own game. Honestly, what had they expected would happen?
"You fucked up my plan," Killua said darkly. "You lied to me. And you attempted to outsmart me." Now everyone will know that I'm here. I can expect an armed greeting at the Gate tomorrow. So much for catching them all by surprise…
"We sincerely apologize, Master Killua," Zebro said, bowing his head. "Had you informed us of your return, we could have escorted you directly to the Gate."
"And handed me off to my parents in chains? I don't think so."
Zebro gasped, "We would never–"
"Bring me to the guardhouse," Killua snapped. He turned on his heel and began walking north. The guardhouse was a straight shot to the stairwell leading to the Testing Gate, and had been constructed to house the Hell Hounds' caretakers.
"Yes, Master," Zebro murmured. Himself and Sequant hurried to Killua's side, and walked with him through the snow. Mike trailed along, hovering over Killua in his excitement to see him again. The rest of the pack brought up the rear, following their returned Prince in a long procession.
The walk was dead silent save for the sound of footprints in the snow and the shallow rasp of Gon's breathing.
This had not been Killua's plan. They were going to climb up the face of the mountain and stay in one of the caverns overnight. They'd have avoided detection from the Hell Hounds and the guards entirely, and then would have walked along the base of the mountain to get to the stairs.
But Killua had lost track of time, and severely underestimated the troublesome weather.
Now he'd lost the element of surprise, and killed a squadron of assassins as a welcome gift. Not to mention the fact that they'd gotten attacked by Hell Hounds. Gon's hip was dislocated, and he was suffering the aftershocks of that poisonous aura. They'd have to stay the night at the guardhouse to get Gon cleaned up. Killua couldn't let Sequant and Zebro out of his sight.
He didn't trust them as far as he could throw them, which was very far.
He didn't trust anyone, at that. No one except for Alluka. The gods only knew what the situation was at the palace. He had no fucking clue what terms he was on with his parents, but he had to assume they were terrible. He'd run off for almost three years, and then returned out of the blue with blood all over his hands and an outsider at his side?
Yeah, that wasn't going to go over well.
But mother is fickle. I've returned on my own, so she won't stay mad at me for long. Especially if I lie and tell them that I'm here to take the throne. I'll be able to clean this mess up without too much of a headache, I just wish I wasn't giving them time to prepare.
The procession arrived at the guardhouse. It was a stone cottage made from the ebony rocks mined from the Gates of Hell themselves. Dark, dreary wood from the surrounding trees lined the windows and accented the structure. The snow was carved out before the front door, and the orange glow of kerosine lamps shone out from within and stained the night.
As they approached the house, Mike's body shuddered and started giving off a Demonic aura. His body shrunk down as he walked, and soon he was the size of a shepherd.
Killua stood before the door and waited for it to be opened for him. He stepped within, leaving a trail of bloody snow all over the dark wooden floors. Mike followed along at his side, panting happily as he left the rest of the pack to guard the house.
"There," Zebro sighed contentedly. "It's great to be out of the cold!" He slid off his leather cloak and began unloading his weapons onto their respective hooks beside the door. Sequant did not follow suit, choosing instead to lean broodily against the wall and scrutinize Killua from beneath the shadow of his hood.
"The guest rooms are upstairs," Zebro said cheerfully as he drifted to the kitchen. "I can make tea to celebrate your return! We caught some pheasant yesterday, and I've been waiting for a special occasion to boil these potatoes! There will be enough for all of us, including your companion once he wakes up. Say, who is–?"
Killua utterly ignored the old man, walking directly up the stairs, down the upper hall, and slamming the door of the largest bedroom behind him. Only once he'd thrown the deadbolt could he finally relax. Killua sighed as he leaned against the door. His heart was still racing from Gon's close encounter with the Hell Hounds.
He gazed down at Gon where he lay cradled in his arms. Those dark brows were drawn together in discomfort. His face was flushed an unhealthy red, and shivers would rack his body every now and again.
"Gon," Killua whispered, gently resting the back of his hand against his forehead. He was freezing cold, almost like a corpse. His neck was starting to bruise from Killua's blow. Guilt twisted about in the Valkyrie's gut. "I'm sorry."
Mike whined and nosed Killua's leg, sensing his distress. The Valkyrie blinked the tears from his eyes and gazed down at the Hound, who was gazing up at him with eyes that held a preternatural awareness.
Killua sighed and rubbed Mike's ears. "Thanks, Mike," he mumbled. "You're the only one on my side, huh?" The Hound licked Killua's fingers, a definite yes. The Valkyrie chuckled sadly. "Yeah, thought so. It's good to see you again, buddy."
Mike panted happily, and then trotted over to hop onto the bed.
Killua gazed at the Demon dog affectionately, and then took a deep breath. "Come on," he said to Gon, unconscious though he was. "Let's get you warmed up."
…
Gon woke up to a suffocating heat. It was uncomfortable, the type that threw you up in the middle of the night sweating buckets and tossing blankets to the floor. He cracked his eyes open with a groan, was Killua laying on him again?
He blinked when he found that, no, he was not in bed with Killua.
Not even close, at that. He was laying in a pool of scalding water that rose to his neck. He was completely naked, and the water was clear and still. He glanced around, finding the back of his head propped up on the edge of an enormous bathtub carved from a solid block of pitch black granite.
Where the hell am I?!
Gon gasped with a start, the last thing he remembered was being chased by those Hell Hounds! Adrenaline kicked in, and he jerked to a sitting position in the water, now fully awake. He whipped his head back and forth, finding a pristine bathroom with dark wooden walls, floors, and more granite for the sink and toilet.
There was a small kerosine lamp suspended from the wall, casting a bright yellow glow across the cavernous bathroom. It smelled like moist rock and salt inside, and though it was cozy it felt foreign and unfamiliar. Gon glanced around to find a clothing rack with the clothes he'd been wearing cleaned and folded neatly across.
Slowly, the full recollection of everything that had happened returned. Gon allowed himself to sink further into the water, blowing a lazy trickle of air from his nose. Suddenly the bathtub felt a hell of a lot more welcomed.
I was running from the Hell Hounds that attacked Killua. I don't know what it was about their aura, but it kept me from fighting back or thinking about anything except running for my life. I ran until I stepped into a hole covered by the snow. I dislocated my hip, and was cornered by the alpha Hound… I wet myself… and then Killua came and saved me.
He stopped the hounds, but then two… Valkyries showed up. I can't remember their names, my memory is all hazy. I still have a headache from that aura, actually. But… the last thing I remember is Killua knocking me out.
And now I'm here.
Where was here?
Gon didn't understand why Killua had knocked him out. He'd never done something like that before. His fingers drifted to his hip, which had been popped back into place. He didn't know where Killua was, and now he was in this strange bathroom with–
The hybrid yelled in surprise when a cold, wet object brushed his scalp. He whipped around to find a Hell Hound leaned over the edge of the tub and sniffing at him! Gon screamed again, scrambling to the other side of the tub.
To Gon's surprise, the Hell Hound did not chase him, paralyze him with that awful aura, or try to eat him. It just sat there and looked at him with its head cocked to one side, gazing at Gon with those endless black eyes.
The hybrid blinked, coming to his senses once again. He realized that this Hell Hound was really small compared to the others. It wasn't a towering beast, but rather the size of a herding dog. It looked like it would only come up to Gon's waist, rather than be able to fit his entire body in its mouth and then some.
"Uh… hi," he said tentatively.
The Hound's tail began to wag, and its mouth slipped open in a dog-smile with a lolling tongue.
Gon was once again surprised. This Hell Hound was so different from the others. It was so much smaller and so much more friendly. Its fur was also a warm purple shade rather than the snowy white of the others. Come to think of it, the only other Hell Hound with purple fur had been the alpha…
The door to the bathroom slung open, and Gon and the Hound turned to face it. Killua stood in the frame, stressed and in a rush to get inside.
"Gon!" he gasped. "You're awake, thank the gods." The Valkyrie deflated, and then hurried to the side of the tub. He leaned over the edge, one knee propped up on the ledge, and pressed the back of his hand to Gon's forehead. "Good, you're warm again."
"Killua," Gon sighed. Suddenly this strange place didn't feel as daunting as it had before.
The Hound trotted happily over to Killua's side, where it happily rubbed against his leg.
"Mike, good boy," the Valkyrie praised, ruffling the Hound's ears. "You did a great job guarding Gon."
"Mike?" Gon asked, definitely not feeling jealous of a dog right then–
I feel like I recognize that name.
"Yeah," Killua said. "He's the alpha Hound, the big one that almost bit you in half."
Gon paled. Oh shit, that small Hound did look exactly like the alpha–
Killua laughed lightly. "Mike's really sorry, by the way. He didn't know you were my friend. See? Look how sorry he is," the Valkyrie cooed, lifting Mike up so Gon could see him over the walls of the tub.
The Hound glanced over at him with that friendly smile, which Gon now noticed was stuffed full of jagged fangs…
Gon gave Killua the side-eye, to which the Valkyrie cracked a laugh. "It's okay! He's really nice, I swear! He's just a little loyal Demon Hound, aren't you, Mike?" The Hound yipped and hopped up to lick at Killua's face, though the gesture didn't look very cute after watching the other Hounds try to rip Killua limb from limb…
Although, it was heart-meltingly adorable to see Killua so friendly with the thing. It was like a boy and his dog… though, murder-Valkyrie-clan edition.
Killua and his pet murder-Demon-Hound.
I had always pegged him as a cat person, actually.
The Valkyrie sighed and sat down beside the tub, folding his arms on the ledge and resting his head on them. He gazed at Gon with relief splashed across his features and the shadow of guilt staining his eyes. "I'm really sorry. We haven't even been here for twenty-four hours and things have already gone to shit."
Gon snorted. "Things aren't… that bad," he reassured. He offered his fingers to Mike, who was sitting beside Killua in a similar fashion with his chin resting on the edge of the tub. The Hound gave Gon's fingers a sniff and then nosed his hand to the top of his head. A smile brushed the hybrid's lips, and he gave Mike's head a well-deserving pet.
"My dogs almost killed you, the welcoming committee tried to poison you with hemlock, and twenty-five assassins came down the mountain to put your head on a pike!" Killua buried his face in his arms, his wings draping limply across him like a silken sheet. "Not to mention your dislocated hip and miasma poisoning."
"My hip's feeling a whole lot better," Gon offered. His biochemical had taken care of the bruising and the pain. However, there was nothing it could do against the ache between his eyes. It felt like the inside of his body had been stained, like the rub-off of ink from a newspaper. His body was dirtied, and his biochemical was meant for healing, not purification.
"Yeah," Killua mumbled, lifting his chin up. He reached his arm over the edge of the bathtub to fish around the water for Gon's hand. The hybrid brought his fingers to Killua's, and the Valkyrie drew them out and held them up for Gon to see.
His fingers were stained black, and the nail beds were a sickly purple. It almost looked like frostbite… but his skin wasn't numb or hardened. His hands didn't feel out of the ordinary in any way or form, and that's what sent concern twisting in his gut.
"But look at your hands," Killua said sadly. "That stain's gone down, which is good I guess. It used to be all the way up to your elbows, so you're still healing insanely fast."
"What… is this?" Gon asked. Just looking at the blackened smear across his fingers made his heart begin to pound again. His sixth sense was prickling, and its resonation made the pain in his head so much worse. But he tried to keep his voice even, he didn't want Killua to know that he was afraid. Killua was already feeling awful enough as it was.
"It's miasma poisoning," Killua explained. His expression was solemn as he ran his thumb along the back of Gon's hand. "That's the power of the Hell Hounds. Mike and the others are a species of Demon summoned from Underworld. Their contract allows them to live in the forest, so long as they follow our orders. The Hounds' aura is poisonous because it contains miasma, a toxic quality of Demon aura. Normally the miasma is only enough to give someone a sensation of unease, like with Pariston. But the miasma of a Demon Hound is powerful enough to drive someone insane. When the Hounds use their aura on you, it prevents you from fighting back. All you can do is run and fear death. However, the miasma is so potent in the Hounds that even if you escape their aura with your life the toxin will kill you."
"What's it do?" Gon asked, making sure his voice was level.
"The stain shows where the toxin is clinging. As it spreads, your aura glands become overloaded with a sense of danger, and you'll die of the shock. Just like any superior aura would kill a lower ranked being. Only it's far more painful, and a very drawn out death. If the stain reaches your shoulders… then it's pretty much over for you. It will have easy access to your heart, and it'll beat faster and faster until it bursts."
Gon blinked. Killua has said the stain had been up to his elbows. He felt like shit even now, and the poison consumed only his fingers…
"The toxin needs the cold in order to spread," Killua sighed, releasing Gon's hand and letting it fall back under the water. "That's why the Hounds are so perfect for Kukuroo Mountain, it's always freezing fucking cold here. But, like I was saying, another effect of the poison is that it chills your body. If we can keep your body hot, then between that and your ridiculous healing factor you should be fine."
Gon gazed down at his hands through the crystal water of the bath. He couldn't have been unconscious for more than an hour. And if it only took that long sitting in the bathwater for the poisoning to recede, then Gon would probably be just fine soon enough.
He glanced back at Killua, who was gazing off into the distance with his brows furrowed.
"Hey," Gon murmured, "Don't be sad." He patted Killua's hair with his wet hand, smiling softly when the Valkyrie pouted at him for getting his head all wet. "I'll be fine really soon! It'll be gone by the morning, right?"
"Theoretically yes," Killua mumbled. "I mean, as long as we keep you warm and well taken care of. The stain won't be all the way gone for a good few days, and that's taking your freaky healing powers into consideration. I'm really sorry about this."
"I already said it's fine!" Gon laughed. "We weren't expecting this to be easy, were we?"
"No, I guess not," Killua sighed. He looked so tired. This couldn't have been easy for him. They'd already been killed like three times and they hadn't even made it through the Testing Gate. He glanced around the bathroom. At least they were somewhere safe for now. Wherever here was…
"So… who were those guys from before?" Gon asked. Killua got super on edge the second they showed up. I think they were the reason he knocked me out like that.
Silver brows drew together, "The guards, Zebro and Sequant. They're assigned with the caretaking of the Hell Hounds, and are in charge of killing anyone who gives the Hounds trouble. The second the Hounds found us, those two rushed over to start shit. They tried to kill you."
"Because I'm an outsider?"
"That's right. They may be letting us stay in the guardhouse now, but that won't stop them from killing you the second we let our guard down." Killua glared off into the distance. "But don't worry, if they try anything again I'll kill them. Right Mike?"
The Hound panted and leaned against Killua's side. Gon chuckled, that was the Killua he knew.
"Gon…" the Valkyrie murmured after a moment's hesitation. "I'm sorry for knocking you out like that. It was the only way to force Zebro and Sequant into a stalemate."
"It's fine, I understand," Gon reassured. "You can knock me out all you want! Just… give me a chance to kick some Valkyrie ass next time?" I can tell that Killua's trying to protect me, he wouldn't have knocked me unconscious without good reason. But I want him to know that we're in this together. He doesn't have to do this alone.
…And I really hope he'll let me know what's going on next time before taking everything into his own hands.
Killua sighed, smiling. "Fine, I guess I can let you do that."
"It's a deal!"
The Valkyrie slouched against the edge of the bathtub once again, his mouth cracking open in a yawn. He didn't look like he had any intention of leaving Gon's side. Knowing Killua, he'd sleep on the bathroom floor before letting Gon sit by himself in here for any longer.
"Let's go to bed," Gon offered, swiftly pulling the plug at the bottom of the tub before Killua could protest.
"Wait, you need to stay in the water!" he declared, perking up.
"I'll be fine," Gon said. "I can use you for body heat! The water was starting to cool off anyway."
"Alright, if you say so," Killua sighed. He pulled himself to his feet, Mike weaving in and out around his knees. Gon reached for the towel folded on the edge of the tub, but Killua snatched it up before he could grab it. "No!" the Valkyrie declared. "You're hurt!"
"I'm not hurt," Gon snorted. "It's just a little–"
"-Demonic poison? Yeah, nothing to worry about at all, huh?" the Valkyrie interrupted. Gon chuckled as Killua tossed the towel around his shoulders and scooped him right out of the water. He held Gon cradled against his chest and marched from the bathroom and into a conjoined bedroom.
The room was small and little more than a furnished jail cell. There was a single, tiny window near the upper corner of the wall, a worn leather rug draped across the stone floor, and a small bed squeezed into the back corner. Gon and Killua's bags were resting in the corner of the room, with Gon's scythe and Killua's hammers propped neatly against the doorframe.
Killua kicked his shoes off as he crossed the room, awkwardly drying Gon off to the best of his ability without dropping him in the process. The bed would be cramped, but Gon didn't mind. It didn't look like it came with anything other than a sorry pillow and a thin sheet. Although there was a large accumulation of blankets tossed haphazardly over it… Gon suspected that Killua had raided the rest of the guardhouse to find them.
Once they reached the bed Killua threw the blankets back and tossed Gon onto the thin mattress. Mike hopped right on up to join him, and Gon laughed as the enormous dog sat directly on his chest and waited patiently for Killua to come along. The Valkyrie swiftly stripped down to his undershorts and launched over Gon and Mike to lay against the wall.
"Come 'ere," Killua ordered, holding Mike out of the way with a palm to his furry chest. Gon laughed and wiggled past Mike to snuggle up against Killua's chest.
"Mike, get the light?" the Valkyrie suggested.
The Hound's tail wagged, excited to follow its master's most recent order. Mike glanced at the kerosine lamp suspended from the wall, and a chill ran up Gon's spine when the flame simply snuffed out with a hiss.
"Good boy," Killua praised, slinging the collection of blankets over himself and Gon. He squeezed Gon tightly against his chest, and Mike curled up against Gon's back. The hybrid giggled contentedly as he was squished between Killua and his murder-dog. The bed was, indeed, cramped to all hell, but Gon didn't mind! It was warm, and this way he had an excuse to glue himself to Killua without getting complained at for being too clingy.
Gon sighed against the hollow of Killua's neck and locked his ankles around the backs of his knees. He still didn't have any feeling in his fingertips, but this was by far warmer than even the scalding bath water had been.
This mission's gotten off to a rough start, but I know that Killua and I will get through this together. We'll save Alluka, and put Kukuroo Mountain behind us for good.