***warning: underage drinking***

Eight

Family

For a split second, Killua had forgotten where he was.

The cold breeze through his cracked window danced on the back of his neck, playing with the hairs that subsisted there. He woke up instantly, hands covering the icy skin. He wiped the sleep crust out of his eye, making his way over to the window to cease the draft from disturbing him anymore. A yawn escaped his mouth as his mind recalled the last memory of the night prior.

Gon.

Killua couldn't stop the smile that painted his face even if he had wanted to. To taste the fruit that had enticed him for so long was captivating; to know that it wasn't a one way street delighted him. Even the rocky events of the party could not outweigh the warm, bronze lips that had stolen his, and
Killua touched his mouth to make sure that it wasn't a cruel joke his subconscious played on him.

No, the heated remains of Gon's flesh still lingered behind; the sweet and saltiness of his tongue still slept between the spaces of his teeth. A warm tingle rocketed throughout Killua's belly, forcing him to lay on his back in a bubbled bliss. If time had stopped last night, under the brilliance of father moon, Killua would have no contest to its ceasing.

Killua sat upright instantaneously, a new inspiration coddling his mind. He smiled slyly; picturing how exactly he was planning on painting Gon for his project. He didn't need another two months to regurgitate what he already knew: Gon was light, and somehow, Killua would capture it to canvas.

He thrust his door open only to be met with Gotoh's fist, swinging with the intent to knock.

"Oh, Master Killua, I wasn't expecting you to open the door. My apologies."

Killua raised a palm in response, the urgency to get ready for his day outweighing his almost-injured-face encounter.

"'S okay, Gotoh, I know you'd never hit me. Do you mind, though? I'm kind of in a rush."

"Actually, Master Killua, you've been requested in the family hall."

Killua felt the idyllic ocean that swam inside of him flush out of his body. The family hall was only used for two things: family meetings and decoration. If Silva and Kikyo requested use of it for a family meeting, it usually meant that one of their children had royally messed up. Killua swallowed the lump in his throat at the memory of the last time he had stepped a foot inside.

"I suppose it has everything to do with last night, Gotoh, am I right?"

Gotoh's stoic face did not budge, but Killua could pluck the answer from the brief resolve that flashed through his irises. "You know I am not at liberty to say, Master Killua."

Killua sighed, reprimanding himself for even bothering to ask Gotoh in the first place. While Gotoh had been Killua's favorite butler, and the admiration was clearly not one sided, Gotoh was intensely loyal to Silva. Sometimes Killua could read the words that stained the inside of Gotoh's cheek; all of the advice and reasoning that he wanted to bestow on to the young master was locked away in the reluctance of Gotoh's mind.

"I get it, but let the record state that I don't have time for this."

"I imagine so, Master Killua."

Gotoh played guide as he led Killua to the rarely occupied room in the upstairs corridor. He stood to the side, arm reached out to Killua's impending doom. Killua stepped in and almost choked on the tense seriousness that clouded the room. Silva sat in his throne, his chin resting on his thick hand. Kikyo looked oddly pristine for this time of morning, sitting to his right on her loveseat. Both pairs of eyes burned a hole through Killua's forehead, forcing him to breathe deeply in retaliation.

"Good morning, son," Silva's voice defied lower octaves, booming against the cage of Killua's eardrum. His face held no expression, a sign that he meant strict business. "Please have a seat next to your mother."

Kikyo pat the velvet plush in the empty cushion next to her, a small imprint of her hand left behind. Killua reluctantly set down, her strong floral perfume invading his nostrils.

"Good morning, Kil," she sang, although a tightness in her voice layered the sweetness.

"Mother, Father, good morning to you as well. Can we get down to the root of why you've brought me here?"

Kikyo chuckled, a hand swiping over her bottom lip. "The older you get, the more I see myself in you, Kil. You waste no time around curtsies."

"Please," Killua closed his eyes in irritation, "don't insult me, Mother."

"Killua," Silva's voice boomed as he reigned down his authority, "I do not care to hear your attitude, nor will I entertain it. You will not disrespect your mother, especially not in my presence son."

Killua bit back his snide remark, instead focusing his attention to the craft details embroidered in Silva's chair.

"Kil," she turned her body slightly so that she faced him directly, her chocolate coal irises swimming with accusation, "are you aware that Illumi did not return home last night?"

Killua could not stop the dumbfounded look that erupted on his face, his eyes narrowing down in disbelief. "Did you….did the both of you really call me in here to discuss the whereabouts of an adult?"

"You and I both know that Illumi has never spent a night away from home. The fact that he did not return on such an important night that honored you and him both worries me. And it should worry you too, Kil. Although, considering your behaviors of late, I'm not surprised that you don't take the time to think of anyone but yourself."

Killua shook his head, his astonishment falling from his hairs and littering the floor. "You can't be serious, Mother."

"Oh but I am," Kikyo's voice took a new life of its own, twisting and convulsing with harshness and targeting Killua's throat, "And I've had more than enough of this game that you continue to play. So now your Father and I are calling a time out."

"What game?" Despite Silva's previous warning, Killua could not help the vindictive tone that escaped his lips. "Say what you want to say, Mother, I'm too tired to hear you riddle me with analogies."

Kikyo pressed her lips together in a straight line, appearing as though she would bite them off. Anger washed over her in waves, and she took a deep breath to prevent drowning everyone in the room.

"Okay, fine. You want me to lay it out for you like you're some sort of toddler? Great! It's what mothers do, right? They coddle their babies and burp their backs and fix their mistakes when they leave a mess. Well consider yourself lucky Killua, because Mother is here to clean it up for you!"

"What your mother is trying to say, son," Silva intervened, feeling the conversation taking a different route than the one that he had intended, "is that we've noticed that you've been unfocused, and we both feel it's necessary to get you back on track."

"What on earth," Killua kept his tone cool, a blatant difference in the respect he held for his father, "makes you think I'm unfocused? Because I decide that I want to do something different other than live and die on Kukuroo Mountain?"

"No," Kikyo chimed in, "you're unfocused because you deem it more important to parade around with commoners who can't help you in the least bit than to uphold the sanctity of your family name. The name that I gave you the moment I pushed you into life. It's about time that you remember that you wouldn't have anything if it weren't for your father and me."

"I never asked you for any of this! Why can't you understand that the only thing I want from either of you is the peace and freedom to do my own thing?"

"Because your own thing is eating away at our family! Your own thing creates a domino effect on your own flesh and blood and you waltz around like we're your enemy! That's your problem, Killua. You only think of what's beneficial to you and not the bigger picture, and we're the ones left in the dust. Do you not recall the consequences of the last time you acted so selfishly?"

"Kikyo, enough!" Silva's voice cut through the conversation as he pounded his fist down against the arm of his chair, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Killua's face was shattered due to the knife in Kikyo's words, and Silva vowed that he would never live to see his son that broken again. "Killua, son, what is that you so desperately desire? What is it that is so important to you that you'd be willing to throw away the opportunity to continue on our legacy? My legacy?"

Killua's silence was the only answer he could give, the weight of Kikyo's tangent forcing his lips tightly shut. Warm tears threatened to cascade down his cheeks, but he blinked them away in retaliation.

Silva took a deep breath, almost wanting to cave in to anything Killua asked for if it meant no more tears would be shed from his silver haired heir. "My son, if you don't understand anything else in the world, you need to understand that your mother and I love you very much, and we care about your wants and desires just like any parent would. I know we've made mistakes," he cut his eyes over at Kikyo, who was mentally fighting her fuming anger, "some that are unforgiveable. I'm not blind enough to pretend otherwise. But anything we've done is for the betterment of this family. I'll be frank with you, son. I don't trust Illumi one bit."

Kikyo and Killua's eyes shot over to Silva immediately, their faces astonished at his confession. Kikyo clutched her chest in dramatics, her mouth parting in disbelief.

"Silva! You cannot possibly mean that? You can't say that about your own son-"

"Hush, Kikyo!" Silva kept his eyes focused on Killua, his intentions of his son understanding the magnitude of the situation being his priority. "As I was saying Killua, I don't trust your brother, nor do I believe his intentions are just and true. Leaving all of Kukuroo in his hands is not something I would want over my head for the rest of my life, and I'm sure you know that I don't need to explain as to why. He doesn't have your level headedness, nor does he have the brilliant mind that you possess. Kukurro needs you, I need you, and that's something that you just have to understand."

"Father," Killua's voice was a whisper, "I appreciate that, I really do. I understand how much you want me to take over the council, but politics are just not my passion. Would you really ask me to disservice myself and spend a life in misery? Marrying a woman that I don't even know for the sake of what? To keep a family name alive? Why are you insisting on putting that pressure on me? There's Milluki, or Kalluto or—"

"Here." Silva pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket, reaching across to Killua. Killua unfolded it and scanned over, his eyes widening at the printed text.

"It's a copy of your Grandfather Zeno's will. He too saw the potential that you have, and he also did not want to trust that to Illumi. It's not just me, it's not just your mother, and it's not just Kukuroo that believes in you. It's bigger than us, son."

Killua held the upmost respect for his Grandfather Zeno, his memory recalling the moments they spent together when he was still alive. Zeno had taken Killua under his wing, becoming a professor of life for his grandson. When Zeno passed, Killua felt like the only person in the world who understood him had been unfairly removed from his life. But things were different now; Killua had found his other piece to the puzzle, and he refused to throw that away for a piece of paper.

He passed it back to Silva, along with his resignation from being the heir through his fingers. Silva didn't need to hear the words; he knew the battle had been lost.

"I get it, and I know Grandpa would understand when I tell you that I can't do it. I won't cheat myself out of happiness, I just won't."

"And what," Kikyo spoke, her tone tamed and relaxed, "is it that makes you happy? That you would dishonor your beloved grandfather's will?"

Killua debated whether or not he should come clean. Tell them the truth about his extra-curricular class that had not been what his parents requested. He ultimately decided that this was his truth, and it was about time that he started living in it.

"Painting makes me happy, Mother. I've been taking a class at school and it's what I want to do with my life."

"Painting!?" Kikyo's eye lids stretched so far that they almost touched the ceiling, the creases in her aged skin becoming more apparent. "You might have well just told me that you want to be homeless, Kil! You are throwing everything away, for some goddamned art!?"

"Language, Kikyo," Silva's voice remained cool, although the irritation set in his the lines in his forehead like an advertisement. "Killua, son, you've been lying to us this entire time?"

"I didn't want to tell you the truth because I knew what that would mean. But I can't run from this any longer. Now you know, this is why I can't do this."

Kikyo laughed wickedly, her body doubling over in mockery. There was no way in hell that her son, the brilliant and poised son that she raised, was sitting next to her telling her that he wanted no part of the council because of art. He couldn't be serious.

Looking at his face again, it was more than clear that he was.

Kikyo regained her composure, taking Killua's hand in her own. "Okay, I see the truth now. This is all under the influence of that boy you brought here last night. He looked like the wild hippie type, so I'm not surprised. Which makes what I have to say even easier. It's like this, my darling, darling boy: You will marry Rozlyn, you will join the council, and you will return to your old charter school. And don't even think of protesting, as your mother, I am stripping away your disobedience. So you will do as I say, that is, if you really do care about your friend Gon."

Killua snatched his hand away, his mouth agape. How does she know his name? I never mentioned it to her!

Instinctively, Kikyo read his mind and answered his question. "Do you think anyone would enter my home and leave without me knowing about them? Well, your little friend is no exception, and my does he have quite the story. One that I'm sure would completely devastate him if it were to be brought to light…again."

"Are….are you…" Killua's words were caught in a spiraled tangle in his throat, her monstrosity appalling him, "are you blackmailing me, Mother?"

"No, I'm promising you that this is how it will be. So go off," she shooed her hand in theatrics, "and enjoy your last week of that slum school. Starting Monday, you will be back where you belong, my dear."

Killua looked over at his father, who nodded his head in agreement. "I was hoping that you would agree with me, Killua, but this is for the best. I didn't want it to come to this."

Killua shook his head, shock consuming his body. He couldn't believe their audacity, and he knew deep down that he wouldn't give in so easily. But he knew that he shouldn't reveal his nature, for a lion stalks his prey before making the kill. He got up silently, reaching the door before stopping.

"What story, Mother? What story do you have on him?"

Kikyo chuckled darkly, a slap in the face for Killua. "Why, he's your friend isn't he? You should ask him, if he's as good to you as he pretends to be."

Killua left before he defiled his own morality and endangered his mother. He knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he needed to remove himself and Alluka from the Zoldyk home permanently. And it had to happen sooner rather than later.

Zushi, as Gon discovered at lunch, was not the oblivious type.

Gon had barely let the noodles from his ramen slither over his tongue when Zushi cut his eyes at him suspiciously. Gon sucked down the half eaten noodles swiftly, Zushi's expression catching him off guard.

"What?"

Zushi smiled deviously, drinking down his tea. He let Gon wallow in self-doubt before speaking his mind-and he surely had a lot to say.

"So," he pressed against the table further, his chin resting on his intertwined fingers, "how exactly was partying at casa de Killua?"

Gon's cheeks stained with crimson, his answer caught in a forced cough. Zushi raised an eyebrow at the dramatics; Gon was terrible at concealing his true emotions.

"It was fun."

"Fun?" Zushi leaned back in his chair and frowned, an accusatory finger dancing across the table, "You've been walking around here like a puppy in heat since Killua transferred here, and all you have to say is it was fun?"

"I do not," Gon pouted, a lump of truth forming in his throat, "I am very collected around him or anybody else, thank you very much."

"Oh please, Gon, don't insult me by acting like I don't notice. All of the, 'Sorry Zushi, I can't hang out today I'm painting with Killua' or 'I'll make it up to you next time by buying you lunch, but Killua and I are going to the park after school' and blah blah blah. Geeze, you would think that Killua's name is stamped on your tongue, ready to bleed like ink when you part your lips."

Gon sulked, guilt dousing over him. "Do I make you upset, Zushi? If so, I'm really sorry."

Zushi laughed heartedly, waving off Gon's words. "Are you kidding me? What kind of friend would I be if I stood in the way of you and your boyfriend? It's nice to see you happy, and I mean really happy, and not that presidential smile you plaster for these guys around here. By the way, he is your boyfriend, right?"

Gon felt the hotness scorch his face like lava, a panicked chill curdling in his chest. Zushi was perceptive, even if Gon hadn't realized how egregious he had been in downplaying his feelings. There was no point in trying to deny the truth that was slowly awakening between them, and the look on Zushi's face was determined if anything else.

Gon let out a stifled sigh, running his hand against the coarse hairs that curled against the back of his neck.

"We aren't anything really. Not that it's a bad thing, though. We just, I don't know, are, whatever that means."

"What that means," Zushi waved his plastic fork in front of Gon's face before stabbing it into his hamburger meat, "is that you guys are not running around here acting like you're both keeping some secret from the other anymore. It's pretty obvious that there's a real connection there and I'm just happy you stopped trying to run from it."

"I guess it was obvious to everyone except us, or maybe….maybe we just didn't want to believe it." Gon folded his arms and closed his eyes, another sigh fleeing his mouth. "I'm not complaining or anything, don't get me wrong, but when I think of how long we've been around each other completely oblivious, it raises a lot of questions."

"Questions like what?"

"Well, like, where did these feelings come from? Are we just playing follow the leader? Who liked who first, and why."

"Do you really need to ask yourself why you like Killua?"

Gon smiled a tranquil grin, his eyes fluttering open to a warm honeysuckle. "Of course not. I know exactly why I like Killua. He's….perfect. I mean sure he can be a little moody, and even though I don't get it, it's never directed at me. And he can be kind of secretive, but at the same time I feel like he's so honest with me. And his eyes are electrifying. It's like I'm being pulled to stare at them; they're absolutely hypnotizing. And his skin! It's unfair the way the moon kissed him but…god…I mean-"

Gon paused as he noticed the half lidded way Zushi was looking at him, his fork holding his meat frozen inches away from his mouth.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because," Zushi bit into his fork, his eyes never lingering from Gon's face, "you've got it bad. You're worse off than I thought."

"What do you mean bad?"

"What I mean is, the word like is a complete understatement to describe what you feel for Killua. You should see the peace that sets in your skin when you describe him. You always talk about Killua, but never like that. That look was one that most people wish they could have. I can only imagine what would happen when you guys actually kiss."

Gon said nothing, cherries replacing his cheeks as he stared down into the wooden details of the table. Zushi's eyes widened, his mouth curling into a grin of realization.

"Well, this is news! When did this happen?"

Gon looked up sheepishly to meet Zushi's face, the red hue still smeared on his cheeks. "Last night," he confessed, holding up two fingers, "twice."

Zushi sat his fork down and clapped his hands slowly, beaming with pride. "It's about time, Gon. It's about damn time. So wait, if you're that charismatic when you talk about him, and you guys already kissed, then why do you have so many questions?"

"I guess," Gon ran his finger over the smooth wood, tracing the beige lines that swirled through the oak, "my real, and only, question is: why would Killua like me?"

Zushi paused at Gon's inquiry, a sympathetic gleam racing through his eyes. Gon, do you really need to ask why anyone would like you?

As if on cue, Killua plopped down in the chair beside Gon, his blue lunch tray clumsily setting on top of the table. Killua still felt dizzy with emotion from his interrogation earlier, but making Gon fret was the last thing he would do. He composed himself with dignity, one of the few tricks of the trade that came from being a Zoldyk. He knew far too well why his father fought hard for him to be an esteemed politician.

"Sorry I'm late guys," Killua took no time in ripping the lid off of his chocolate pudding, his nose turning up at the meat concoction that mirrored Zushi's, "my history teacher gave us a really hard test."

"No biggie," Zushi said, carefully eyeing Gon in secret, "we've just been chatting away."

"Oh?" Killua shoved his spoon in the chocolate elixir before scooping it into his mouth, his face contorting to pleasure as the sweet cocoa blanketed his tongue. "Anything interesting?"

"Oh sure, lots of things. But nothing worth repeating,, we wouldn't want to bore you." Zushi took the opportunity to wink at Gon as Killua became transfixed on his treat.

Killua shrugged his shoulders and looked at Gon out of the corner of his eye. He sneaked a long gaze at his majestic friend, his eyes washing over sharp jaw lines and muscles that imprinted through his fitted green shirt. His mouth almost salivated as he studied just how gorgeous Gon really was, as if he was seeing him for the first time. Killua felt like he had been given a season pass to view him like he was a theme park attraction, and he planned on using it every chance he got. He shoved another spoonful of pudding in his mouth to keep him occupied, but he planned on using his fingers to recite the poetry etched in bronze skin, and painting the colors that collided on his body when the time allowed.

"So," Zushi interrupted Killua's inner monologue, "while I have you both here, I have some exciting news. My mom told me yesterday that Wing is coming back to Yorkshin next month."

"Oh my god, really!?" Gon enthusiastically slammed his palms on the table, causing a light rumble of Killua and Zushi's trays.

"Get a hold of yourself, Freecs," Killua lightly chuckled, touching Gon's arm. Gon relaxed at the softness of his fingertips, resisting the urge to trace the stories that Killua embedded in their stumps.

"That's not even the best part, guys. Her catering company has been hired to provide the refreshments for the gallery, so she can get us all in for free! And of course that invitation extends to Kurapika."

Gon stared ahead, trying his best to conceal his squeal, but the air hissed through his teeth like an alarm. Killua smirked in expectance of the outburst, surprised that Gon had managed to suppress it for this long. Gon took a deep breath, clearly over his ecstatic glee. He pulled out his phone, his fingers racing over the keys.

"Tell you mother she is a saint, do you hear me? I am forever in her debt because I am meeting my idol. I'm texting Kurapika right now, but I don't even know how I can do that because I just died."

Killua leaned a little closer, half to see the message Gon was sending, and half to whisper in his his ear.

"Don't die on me yet, Gon."

Gon shivered as Killua's warm breath tickled his skin, the milky baritone of his voice coiling in his ear. He focused on the message that was being sent to Kurapika, which was harder to send at the close distance of the silver haired teen. Almost immediately, the buzzing of Gon's phone vibrated against his hand, Kurapika's name flashing in the middle of the screen.

-That sounds incredible. Tell Zushi I said thank you. I was just about to text you, are you free this weekend?

-Nope, I'm available. What do you have planned?

- Leorio got into law school & I'm throwing him a party to celebrate. It'd be nice if you could swing by, he's been asking about you.

-Of course I will! I'll get him a nice gift too. Can I bring friends?

-Absolutely. I was going to tell you to bring Zushi. And the friend you wouldn't shut up about last time. His name again?

-Killua

-Aaah yes Killua. Definitely bring Killua ;) He definitely brings out a side of you I've been dying to see.

-Really? How so?

-You're so animated and inspired now. Remind me to shake his hand. He's a good friend for you ;) ;) ;)

-lol you never change Kurapika

-Someone's got to look out for you Gon. I'll pass the torch to Killua. See you guys this weekend.

-For sure :D

Gon checked to see if Killua was still lingering his shoulder, but to his delight the teen had resumed his conversation with Zushi and eating another pudding cup. Gon traced the outline of Killua's body, admiring his slender yet muscular physique. Killua's face was not as soft as his own, rather it appeared that the teen had to mature faster than others. His jaw lines were strikingly sharp and accentuated his milky pale skin. His hair compared to the finest wool, and Gon had its softness engrained in his fingertips so that he could never forget the feeling. His muscles were hidden under the heavy fabric of his shirts, but it didn't take a hard eye quint to notice how buff he was. Killua was intimidatingly handsome and he didn't even know it. Gon vowed that he would remind him every chance he got.

The lunch bell rang, knocking Gon out of his trance and back into reality. Killua scooped the last contents of his pudding cup before grabbing his items. Zushi said his goodbyes and made his way to his next class. Before the chance was lost upon them, Gon reached over and squeezed Killua's hand, letting his fingers convey his message. Killua squeezed back, a warm smile curving his mouth.

"Hey, Killua? Is it okay if I ask you something?"

"Yes," Killua stared into Gon's honey warm irises, forcing Gon to swallow the urges that levitated in his chest, "you can ask me anything."

"Well," Gon paused, attempting to group his words in order, "I know you said that you can't answer any questions that I have, and I understand it and I respect it. But," he ran his tongue over his bottom lips, worried that his words would not carry the full magnitude that he had hoped, "do you think there will ever be a day when we can have those kind of conversations? You know, the ones that maybe scare us too badly to have with anyone else?"

Killua could not force himself to look away from the truth in Gon's eyes. He recited what his mother had told him that morning about Gon's story. Although he had wanted to ask Gon then and there what exactly that story was, he knew he had no right to ask for information that even he couldn't discuss.

"One day," he started, "we will expose our demons to each other, whatever they may be. But I have to warn you, Gon. Some demons are so twisted and evil that they should never see the light of day. So we have to make sure that we are strong enough on our own," he squeezed Gon's hand again, "and together before we make that leap. I don't want destroy myself from the fall."

Gon nodded his head in understanding, but a weight of guilt caused his heart to plummet to the carpet of the library floor.

That's exactly what I'm afraid of, Killua. I want to talk to you so badly, but how could you look at me the same, if you knew the origins from which I come from?

Kurapika and Leorio's apartment was superb for two college students to afford, and Killua wondered if he himself would be able to live such a life of luxurious exclusion in the following year.

It made the welcomed distraction much more enticing, and the fact that Kurapika was providing liquor only helped Killua relax more. It had been a few days of smiling and acting as if everything was okay, especially in the company of his parents, but the ruse was growing tiring, and Killua knew he would eventually slip through the cracks of pressure that rolled in with each morning.

Kurapika wasted no time in chauffeuring Gon and Killua throughout his apartment, emphasizing his admiration of Gon's photos to the guests. Gon was delighted to see that Kurapika had purchased one of those photographs for their living room, and he did a double take when he saw its elegance tied in perfectly over their bricked mantle.

"Kurapika!" Gon's smile added to the luminescent lights overhead, "This is my most favorite photo I've ever taken! I can't believe you bought it!"

Kurapika chuckled, sipping his bottle of beer and wiping his mouth. "I'm surprised that you're surprised, Gon. I sold almost all of your photos that night; everyone seemed to compliment the realness you captured. But this one," Kurapika pointed to the photo, entitled "Timeless", "is my absolute favorite. The look in their eyes is priceless."

Gon had managed to take a photo of his elderly neighbors on a Sunday afternoon after bringing one of Mito's pies over. The husband had brought out a montage of old photos of he and his wife in their early years of marriage. Although childless, it appeared they had gone on many adventures together and had lived a life of happiness before retiring to Whale Island. The husband had kept a photograph of them visiting an orphanage; one that the wife had mentioned had been a frequent stop on their path of travels. She had gotten emotional looking at the photograph, wondering if she had done the right thing as a wife by never bearing his child. Her husband wrapped his arm around her, reminding her that they had unconventional children, with the orphanages and many other people they had met being a part of their extended family. He had started to sing a song from the orphan's village, which brought a tender, emotional smile on his spouse's face. Gon had taken the picture shortly afterwards, the older man singing in his wife's ear, while she held the photo in one hand and wiped a tear from her eye with the other. The warm smiles that enchanted both of their faces had inspired him to title it "Timeless".

Killua once again was mesmerized at the raw essence that Gon had captured, the definition of true love being able to transcend its paper prison. He looked over at Gon and smiled tenderly, finding himself in an evolving infatuation.

"I wouldn't have chosen a better owner than you, Kurapika. I made sure to give them a copy too, but I'm glad the finished print was placed in a good home."

"Yeah, but what a way to make the rest of us singles feel bad!" A playful voice came from behind them, and Killua turned to see a young adult drinking a beer and fixing his glasses. "Guess I can't expect anything less from you, Gon. You've always been the 'make-em-feel-something' little bastard." He made a mess out of Gon's hair, and Gon smiled a cheeky innocent smile back.

"Leorio!" He jumped into his arms, squeezing a hug and momentarily stunning him backwards. "It's been so long since I've seen you! I missed you!"

Leorio hugged Gon back, balancing his beer in his free hand. "I've missed you too, kid, I was beginning to think you didn't want anything to do with me anymore! You've sure gotten stronger since you were that scrawny little freshmen I first met. What are you just walking around here punching people on purpose?"

Gon laughed deeply in his belly, his baritone creating relaxing music in their atmosphere. "No, Aunt Mito just puts me to work a lot."

"Your Aunt Mito, eh?" Leorio tilted his glasses to the end of his nose and peered over. "Is she still as good looking as I remember?"

"Aunt Mito still looks the same."

"Huh, I see. Do you think she'd remember me? Now that I've grown up a bit?"

"How could she not remember you?" Gon chuckled, patting Leorio's shoulder, "In fact, she still asks me about 'the pervert who used to come around.' I'm sure she'd hit you with her purse again if she saw you."

Leorio scowled and chugged his beer bottle, wincing as the strong liquid burned his throat. "Ugh, this stuff tastes like motor oil. Well at least I can say that hasn't changed one bit; I still have a problem getting the ladies to understand me, no thanks to Mr. Pretty Boy here."

Kurapika blinked as his eyes widened, his thumb pointed to his chest. "What do I have to do with any of your problems?"

Leorio scoffed and swallowed the last remains of his beer. "They all think you're my girlfriend! I always told you that your pretty ways would be your downfall."

"Oh, Leorio. It's amazing how someone so dense could be as brilliant as yourself. I'm never surprised, that's for sure."

Leorio swung his arm around Kurapika, a cheerful grin lifting the corners of his mouth. "Well if they're going to think someone's dating me, I'm glad it's you! You handsome little devil. Speaking of which," Leorio tipped his glasses towards Killua, "I see our friends have bad manners."

"Oh!" Gon stood closer to Killua's side, touching the bottom of his back. Killua had to breathe to prevent the fire from burning his cheeks. "How could I be so stupid? Leorio, this is my good friend Killua. Killua, this is Kurapika's roommate and my old friend from high school, Leorio."

"Very nice to meet you," Killua extended a hand, to which Leorio took in his own.

"Likewise, likewise. Any friend of Gon's is a friend of mine. By the way, where's Zushi?"

"He said he'd be coming later after he helped his mom."

"I see, well," Leorio walked by the kitchen, grabbing two bottles out of the cooler, "Might as well get the party started, guys." He handed the bottles over to Gon and Killua, "I won't tell if you won't."

Killua welcomed the crisp taste of the beer as it washed his teeth, almost finishing half of the bottle. He and Milluki used to sneak beer from his father's cupboard when he was 13, but a swift and strict punishment from Silva upon the discovery had scared them straight. It was a taste that gave him nostalgia, the smell of the night sky on top of the roof of the Zoldyk estate intruding his nostrils.

Gon, it appeared, was not used to the taste as his repulsive frown gave away. Killua chuckled, as Leorio pat his back.

"Take it easy there kid," he joked, "we've got all night! And a virgin like you shouldn't be in a rush to drink this stuff." He took another long swig, mocking the same expression as Gon's. "Seriously, Kurapika, you always have to pick the harsh stuff."

Kurapika smiled and shrugged his shoulders, finishing off his bottle. "What can I say? I'm a big fan of IPA; it's the artist in me."

"Eh, it's not like I'll care after about 3 more bottles anyway." He forced the rest of the liquid down his throat, burping upon completion. "How about we get some snacks and catch up?" He threw his arms around Kurapika and Gon, smiling as the heat of the liquor rushed to his cheeks, "Plus it'll give me the chance to talk to Killua over here. I believe I've heard your name mentioned by Kurapika before."

"He was at the last gallery I had. You remember when I told you about Gon's friend."

Killua and Gon's cheeks were stained with apples at the emphasizing of the word 'friend', and both of them simultaneously sipped their beer to hide their embarrassment. Leorio smiled smugly, ruffling his hand through Gon's hair once more.

"You cheeky little bastard! Now we really have to catch up, but I can't operate on an empty stomach. Come, come to kitchen so we can taste those artsy fartsy snacks Kurapika made."

The arrangement of food was colorful, if anything else, and it appeared that Kurapika took his time in making the hors d'oevres. Killua helped himself to a small plate of chocolate dipped pretzels and mini croissant dogs, while Gon stuffed his face with deviled eggs. He smiled with enthusiasm as he savored the taste.

"I've missed your culinary skills, Kurapika!"

Kurapika chuckled, grabbing a cookie from the tray. "I appreciate that Gon. It's good to know my mother taught me something well."

Leorio passed another round of beers along, and it was clear that his tolerance was rising as he chugged the bottle down. Killua followed suit, the taste becoming more transparent following the first. Gon looked at them both nervously before playing follow the leader. Killua was surprised at his dedication, marveling at how fast he finished his bottle.

"Wow," Gon burped, "that one wasn't so bad."

"And it'll only get better!" Leorio passed them another one, grinning mischeviously, "you only live once, boys!"

Kurapika shook his head as he slowly drank his beer. "I apologize for Leorio's rudeness; he's just a bit excited tonight."

"As I damn well should be! I've been studying my ass off for the law program, and I deserve tonight to lay off some steam. It's been months since I've been able to party or drink."

"Congratulations by the way, Leorio," Gon beamed, his words starting to reflect his alcohol content, "I always knew that you'd be a good lawyer."

Leorio waved off Gon's words with a smile as he began to drink again. "Don't make my head bigger Gon." His face turned serious as the true nature of his passion came to light. He leaned back against the wall and brought his beer to his chest. "In all honesty, I have to thank Kurapika for helping me get this far. Without his friendship, I'd still be a smug little asshole who was trying to sleep with any girl that came in breathing distance."

Kurapika blushed, suddenly drinking his beer faster than he intended. "Stop it, Leorio."

"No, I mean it! If it wasn't for you supporting me through those long nights of stressed out studying, making me food and being my mother, I would have quit this path a long time ago. Plus it's because of you that I wanted to be a lawyer in the first place."

Kurapika and Gon's face dropped, a sentimental expression capturing both of their faces. Killua looked on confused, until Kurapika faced him with an understanding smile.

"I'm sorry, Kurapika," Gon said softly.

Kurapika shook his head. "Don't be, I've had time to heal. I guess I should fill you in, Killua."

"You don't have to," Killua put his hand up in protest, "if it's too personal."

"No it's okay. It's a part of who I am now, so I suppose one can't consider themselves my friend unless they know this. And like Leorio said, any friend of Gon's is a friend of mine. My freshmen year here, I received a call one night that I had to go home. My family had moved 3 hours from Yorkshin after I graduated to a small rural town north from here. My mother told me that she and my father had been wanting to get away from the loud city life, and even though I was sad to see her go, I knew that she deserved some peace after all she had done for me. Anyways, I went home and was greeted by red and blue lights instead of my mom's smiling face."

Killua's face dropped, realization taking place after reading in between the lines. "Please don't tell me…."

Kurapika nodded, chugging the last of his beer. "Yeah, a robbery gone badly, they told me. My mother and father were killed in their sleep, along with my little brother. It hurt me for a long time, and all I could think about was finding the bastards who did this and making them suffer. But Leorio was there for me, and he helped me keep focus and continue through school."

Killua noticed how Gon's face darkened as he drank his beer. A memory, it appeared, had washed over him after Kurapika's story, but he appeared to swallow it down with his liquor. What was that, Gon?

"If it wasn't for Leorio," Kurapika continued, "I don't know where I would be. He was my light through the darkness."

"And because of that, I vowed that I would help put away any idiots who would do something like that. Who knows, maybe one day I'll catch the sons of bitches who did that and bring down the swift hand of Paladiknight justice."

"I'm very sorry to hear that, Kurapika," Killua flashed him a warm smile of kindness, "I know you say it's alright, but still…"

"I appreciate that, Killua. But let this show the true power of a good friendship or relationship. If anything, I want people to know that they should invest in real bonds with people, and never let them go if they found someone to hold them through the darkness."

Gon looked over at Killua instaneously, a look of affection marveling his eyes. Killua smiled back, and for a brief second, it felt like no one else was in the room besides them.

Leorio laughed and clutched his belly, throwing himself towards the duo. "Well it seems like my gut instinct didn't fail me yet again! It's so painfully obvious that you two have it bad for the other. Either that or I'm very drunk." He wobbled from the sudden movement, using their shoulders to help him lean up. "Yep, it's probably both."

"Killua means a lot to me," Gon said immediately, his voice soft and full of fondness, "I'll never take that for granted."

Killua stood stunned, his sobriety clearly having left his body. His head felt dizzy, both of intoxication and at the sincerity of Gon's words. Gon looked over and smiled, reaching down to swiftly brush against his hand.

"I can tell, and for that I am happy," Kurapika announced, folding his arms and closing his eyes. "The way you two acted at the gallery made me think you've been dating for a while."

Killua coughed at that, still unsure exactly what to label Gon and himself. He had never been in such a situation before-rather a situation that he put himself in and not at the conniving schemes of his family—and he wasn't sure how far he should leap to guarantee a safe landing.

"You two are so adorable!" Leorio opened another bottle of beer and slung it back, streaks of brown liquid escaping the corner of his mouth. "I bet if it was scientifically possible, you would make the best looking children. Hell, maybe Kurapika and myself would pay you to make some for us!"

"Okay, Leorio," Kurapika blushed, a look of flattery dancing across his cheeks, "let's take you to get some fresh air. I don't want you scaring Killua away."

"Awww, what'd I do now? He's a smart kid, he knows what I mean!" Leorio winked at Killua as Kurapika pulled him towards the patio door. Leorio's loud laughter could still be heard through the thick glass sliding doors.

Killua laughed, feeling even more dizzy at the gesture. "He's a funny guy."

"Yeah," Gon chuckled, "you can't help but love him."

Killua regained his composure, but gravity was not his friend as he fell back against the wall, pulling Gon with him. At this closeness, and under the rosy lenses of beer goggles, Gon was irresistible. Killua bit his bottom lip as the woodsy cologne Gon was wearing layered him like a second skin. "So tell me again," he said in low voice, feeling Gon's body react to his baritone, "how important I am to you."

Killua wrapped an arm around his waist, appreciating how perfectly Gon fit inside the mold. Gon sucked in a quick breath of air, pressing his chest closer to Killua's. By the nature of his lowered eye lids, Gon too had hopped off the sobriety train, and was hopping aboard a different kind of intoxication.

"You're very important," Gon's lips brushed against Killua's, the small shock of electricity causing them both to stir lightly, "I don't know how I ever did without you before."

"You mean that?" Killua's hand was massaging over the small of Gon's back, "Because I want to know if you feel the way I do."

"Oh yeah?" Gon's voice was husky, causing a small tremor in Killua's chest. "Well, how do you feel, Killua?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Killua pulled Gon closer in, sucking on Gon's bottom lip before traveling downward. Killua could taste his own name in Gon's flesh, and he grew excited to know that it was the only name that existed there. It made him want to taste different parts of Gon, discovering what other secrets buried underneath his skin. His lips traveled towards his neck, sucking softly at the location, Gon's scent imprinting over his tongue. Gon moaned softly, looking around to see if anyone else had wandered in the kitchen. Not that it completely mattered, as they lost themselves in their own world.

Killua traced his tongue along Gon's neck, relishing the tease of it all. Gon was slowly melting like butter in his hands, and Killua had to strengthen his grip to keep him up.

"Killua," Gon breathed in his ear, but Killua silenced him by sucking on his skin again, gently biting against his flesh. Gon's hands found themselves raking against his abdomen, delighting against his toned structure. Killua was clearly on a mission, and Gon wasn't sure if he was trying to please him or torture him. Either way, Killua had won this round.

"Killua," he said again, forcing himself to ignore the bliss of ecstasy that clouded his brain, "I want to hear it come from you."

"And I'm trying to hear something else come from you," he growled against his skin.

"Please," Gon begged, finding it increasingly difficult to not give in to the waves of pleasure that washed over him, "I really want to."

Killua sighed, breaking free from his task. "Really, Freecs?"

Gon pouted, his lips swollen from Killua's sucking, "Really, Killua. How do you feel about me?"

Killua watched the anticipation grow in Gon's face, taking his sentiment hostage. He smiled, realizing that he couldn't keep Gon in the dark forever.

"Fine, I suppose it's time we had that talk anyways. See, Gon, the thing is-"

"Holy shit! This is terrible!"

Gon and Killua's head jerked to Leorio's voice as it boomed through the living room. The urgency in his tone knocked them both back to reality, and they rushed to see what had caused the commotion.
Several people, including Leorio and Kurapika, huddled around the television that was on the wall. Leorio looked on in shock, as the news reporter stood by as an ambulance crew took several bodies under a white sheet to their truck.

"Turn it up, Leorio," Kurapika urged, "that's the bar we frequented a lot."

"Police are calling this the bloodiest massacre that they have seen in Yorkshin in decades, with several officers appalled at how so many people could meet such a fate."

The news segment transitioned to a police officer, who looked rather stunned at the scene behind him. "Never in my twenty five years on the force have I seen anything so gruesome. It's not rare that we get called out to bars to disrupt a fight or deescalate some sort of argument, but I've never had to look at anything like this."

"What's going on, Kurapika?" Gon spoke, concern flashing across his face.

"There's this bar not too far from here called Blimps," Kurapika's face showed that he was very distraught with the news, "and last night there were several murders there, including the owner."

"Poor Tonpa," Leorio stated, his head drooped, "he could be a real asshole, but he didn't deserve this."

"Police have given word that there are six deaths in all, including the owner of Blimps, Tonpa. No details have been disclosed as to how the nature of the events transpired, but officers do have a suspect in custody."

"One man!?" Leorio stood up, angrily shaking his fist at the television. "One man killed six people, and no one could do anything about it?!"

Killua shook his head. "Some people are just evil, and unfortunately, too strong for anyone else to handle."

"Here is the mugshot of the suspect in custody, as well as the video of him being escorted in handcuffs to police cars. We here at HXH11 should note that the suspect did not seem to be in any remorse, rather it appears that he is smiling and laughing at the outlandish nature of his crimes."

"What kind of demon could laugh after killing six people!?" Leorio clutched his beer tightly, his fists shaking in anger. "I can't wait to put assholes like that away for good!"

Killua studied the television as the video zoomed in closer at the apprehended suspect. The air in his lungs dissipated as the suspect turned his head around.

"Killua…" Gon whispered as he reached down to touch Killua's hand, his eyes never lingering the screen. "Isn't that…"

"Illumi." Killua whispered, his heart going in to shock. "My brother did this."

I WANTED TO GIVE YOU GUYS A PRETTY LONG CHAPTER TO MAKE UP FOR MY ABSENCE FROM BEFORE. I WORKED REALLY HARD ON THIS FOR THE PAST WEEK, AND I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY IT.

ALSO…I REALLY DON'T LIKE TONPA :P SO….HE HAD TO GO (A LITTLE COMIC RELIEF TO DIFFUSE THE UPCOMING EVENTS.)

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, A THOUSAND THANK YOU'S TO ALL WHO HAVE REVIEWED, FAVORITED, OR JUST PLAIN READ THIS FAR. ONCE AGAIN, I SEE EVERY NOTIFICATION, AND IT COMPLETELY MAKES MY DAY. ALWAYS FEEL FREE TO COMMENT YOUR CARES OR CONCERNS, GOOD OR BAD.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, MY FRIENDS.

-BITCHII-USA.