Thirteen
The Magic of Broken Things
***Warning: There's some fluff in this chapter. I mean, more fluff than normal, but don't our smol babies deserve some fluff after everything they've been through?
The last of the leaves were finally beginning to fall.
Killua watched as they paraded around his feet in a kaleidoscope of colors, taunting the bleakness of his gray sneakers. He smiled briefly at the sight before taking another sip of his hot cocoa, letting the warmth tickle over his tongue. The sun was beaming against the bare skin of his neck, but the weather outpaced its rays, as a cool wind whipped over his silver hairs, sending a shiver down his skin. He let the steam from the cup heat his nose, wiggling it around the aroma.
Welp, he sighed, today is the day.
He looked around the almost empty park, the last of the parents escorting their children from the playground. Their faces were flushed red from the upcoming cold air, their little noses wrinkling with dissatisfaction of having to cease their play. He tossed around the idea that one day he could watch Alluka do the same, if she hadn't decided at that point in time that she was too old for childish things.
The thought alone made his weight recline against the bench, the sharp, icy wood prickling his thin layer of a windbreaker. How much would he have to reteach Alluka when he introduced her to the world again? How much would she already know?
A bridge of troubled waters that I'll cross when the time is right.
For now, the biggest hurdle was the test that came in the form of Gon. After the mini revelation in art, Gon had very slowly started to come around. Enough to where Zushi had casually mentioned the Wing exhibit, chewing the words around in his mouth until he felt he could digest them. Killua caught on, very briefly and fleeting, that Gon appeared to entertain the idea.
He texted him the night before, asking him to meet him at the park for breakfast. If he showed, which Killua thoroughly wished that he would, then that would mean that he had a clearing to toss around the suggestion again. If he showed, Killua would try any and everything to convince him that missing out would be the biggest regret of his life. The determination coiled through his belly like a snake, piercing its fangs in his gut until he could barely breathe. The beginning forms of anxiety, the unrelenting clutches of concern; and yet he was desperate to win the case. Call him for what he was at the least: a Zoldyk.
He glanced at his phone, the pestering stock wallpaper taunting him in return. No missed calls, no new texts, no indication that Gon was on his way. Just white digits that scrolled over the top of the screen, a reminder that it was half past the hour. Half past the time of the scheduled meet up.
He placed it back in his pocket with a sigh, feeling something deep breaking inside of him. Had he been too optimistic that he could fix what was beyond his repair? He let so many things slip from his control, sitting idly aside while life took its cruel course and punished him in his helpless state.
Would he be forced to reluctantly add Gon to the phantom list?
A small flicker out of the corner of his eyes quieted his turmoil, his inner demons exorcised. A hint of a smile threatened his lips, which he unsuccessfully tried to hide. Gon approached, hands fiddling in the corners of his pockets as if secrets were buried deep within, his nose reddened in the cold. His summer skin was accompanied with an ethereal glow, and Killua felt his heart pang inside of his chest. His eyes studied Gon's demeanor, took in the way he buried himself in his thick jacket, his awkward steps pacing towards the bench. His eyes were unsettled, but signs of life emerged from deep within. The icy shrills of anxiety that plagued Killua prior melted away as he gazed into the sight of the rising sun walking before him.
"Hey, Killua," Gon's mouth slowly formed over the words, his raspy voice almost lost in the fall breeze.
Killua pat the seat next to him, butterflies knocking the linings of his stomach determinedly. "Good morning to you too, Gon." He noticed the way Gon's eyes reluctantly looked over the empty space next to him and he frowned. "Don't you want to sit?"
Gon nodded, taking a seat that was too close for his comfort and too far for Killua's. The temptation to reach out and wrap his arms around Gon and shelter him from whatever troubles brew in his belly became overwhelming to Killua, and he bit his lips and concentrated on the crunchy grass that squished between his sneakers. Take it slow, Killua. Everything is best with slow movements.
"So," Killua sucked in a breath of fresh air, the action cooling the inside of his mouth like fresh mint leaves, "how are you doing today?"
Gon shrugged his shoulders, his eyes fixating on the stitching of his mittens. They were the brightest shade of red, a perfect complement to his ivory green jacket. "I could have slept better, but for the most part I guess I'm okay."
"Here," Killua leaned down and grabbed an isolated cup of tea, pumpkin spiced for the season, and handed it to Gon. "Call me presumptuous, but I knew you wouldn't eat breakfast so I picked you up a treat too."
Gon's eyes skidded to the side, taking in the beverage. He looked up briefly to see the emotions painting over Killua's face and instantly felt guilty. It was his fault, he concluded, that Killua had to feel this way. He took the cup without regret, silently noting that it was the least he could do. Bringing it up to his lips, he relished the warmth that pooled down his throat and found a home in his belly. Killua was right, if anything else: he had skipped breakfast due to being full from anxiety. The tea was welcoming if anything else, but it was not a distraction from the problems that slept between them.
"Thank you," Gon mumbled after taking another gulp, too fast he recoiled as he felt the top of his tongue scald. He didn't know how the tea managed to stay so hot, but grateful none the less that once again Killua seemed to be looking out for him.
""S no big deal, I can't let you starve, Freecs," Killua forced out a chuckle and Gon couldn't fight the grin that stole the corners of his mouth.
"Well," Gon sighed, winning the inner battle in himself and turning slightly to face Killua, "I'm sure you didn't have me meet you here so early to scald my tongue with tea." He ran his teeth over the pink snake's surface for emphasis.
"Wow," Killua raked a hand through his silver tresses, "and here I thought I would be the one to break the ice. Its' good to know that Gon is still inside of there, despite everything." He noticed the way that Gon's throat lumped as he took a deep swallow, and he reprimanded himself on his careless words before throwing that notion away. It's better to be blunt than to tiptoe around his feelings like I've been doing. This is my last resort, afterall.
He cleared his throat and vomited the words that sat in the back of his throat for weeks. "Gon, I won't pretend to know exactly what it is that you're feeling in there," he poked Gon's chest lightly for demonstration, "but I can't express to you how much I want to. I'm not sure what I've done to make you think that you can't talk to me, but tell me so I can fix it."
"You haven't done anything, Killua," Gon choked out, voice barely audible, "I'm sorry for making you think that you're to blame for my problems."
"Stop that," Killua sighed, inching closer to Gon's thigh, "Stop thinking that you have these unfixable problems. I heard your story, Gon, just like you heard mine. And I won't lie: it's shitty. It's shitty, and it sucks, and we'll probably be talking about how bad that time was for us for the next 10 years, but I'm okay with that. I'm okay with talking about what happened and the screwed up thing I did if it means that I can talk about it with you."
Gon's eyes met Killua's head on, and Killua found himself momentarily tranced by the beauty that had woven itself in his honey irises. So many emotions dwelled there, so many unattached words that no one had dared to pluck. Killua knew that he was ready, but how disappointing would it be if Gon were to try to stop him before he had the chance.
"I don't know what to say," Killua continued, "to make you feel better. I just don't. I don't have a magical elixir to 'fix' you, or me for that matter, and I really don't care if we are ever fixed. So I'll just put it out there, and I'll tell you exactly how I feel, one hundred percent. You can choose to do the same, or you don't have to, but we can't move forward if we're still stuck in the past. Okay?"
Gon's eyes locked with Killua's, the intensity of his blue orbs weighing heavy on his head. Slowly he nodded, against the nagging voice inside that screamed for him to run away. Gon knew that he couldn't live his life like this, and Killua at least deserved an attempt at the better good.
Killua smiled radiantly, and Gon could almost taste the relief that washed over him. "Good. Then I'll start." Killua took another sip of his cocoa and took a deep breath, praying that his words had some sort of a healing effect. "After all of that happened with my family, I was lost, Gon. I was numb and tired and I just didn't understand anything anymore. One moment, I'm playing with my sister, and the next she's locked away like fine china that my parents didn't want us to touch. And I couldn't help but feel like it was all my fault, you know? I knew all about Alluka's multiple personality disorder, I had a first-hand witness to Nanika, and how yeah, sometimes she could say some weird things. But that's just who Alluka is, or so that's what I always told myself. I didn't think it was some big bad thing that needed to be kept a secret, but I'd be lying if I said I knew that my parents wouldn't be disappointed at the revelation. There is no room for error in the Zoldyk family, there just isn't. And here I was, the 'golden child'," he scoffed at the phrase, "who practically fucked up in the worst way possible. And what made it worse is after we got back from the hospital, no one acted like anything happened. Alluka's room was turned into an office for Illumi and everyone went on about their lives like it was okay. And I followed in line like I thought I was supposed to. I barely saw Alluka unless it was giving her some food, and I hated myself for it. Then one day, I saw that she had grown, and her hair had gotten longer, and it made me sad. Here was the real victim in the circus of a family, who had to live her life in the basement, pretty much nonexistent. And she should hate me, right? She should spit at my feet every time she saw me because I was supposed to protect her and I failed." Killua looked up with teary eyes at Gon, whose own mouth formed a perfect circle with his bronzed lips. He was hanging on every syllable of Killua's words, which coerced him to continue. "But she didn't. Every time I saw her, she practically knocked me over with her hugs and her chants of, 'Big Brother! Big Brother!' and I swear to you I loved her more and more. But I couldn't help her, I didn't know how to help her, except wait until I was old enough to make some money and get a place of our own. The more that time went on, I began to sneak to see her more, much to the discontentment of my mother. She didn't want anyone to acknowledge Alluka, a visual reminder that something was amiss in her perfect little world. In some sick way, I think she blamed herself because she did give birth to her after all. The more I got to know Alluka, the more I knew that I couldn't abide by what my parent's wanted, unless it somehow benefited her. So I chose to slowly break away from anything Zoldyk: I stopped attending our family meetings about the council, I didn't participate in the elections anymore, and I withdrew from the boarding school. I begged them to send me to public school, telling them I would join the debate team or some stupid lie like that. I thought that it would give me a chance to really think, without every one knowing who I was or treating me like I was an enemy or a god. What I didn't expect," he narrowed his eyes to Gon's, letting his sentence finish through his pupils before they left his lips, "was to meet you."
He reached over and took Gon's hand in his own before reason told him to tread waters, and relished in the heat that radiated through the fabric. He gently jerked Gon closer to him until their knees were touching, and mentally screamed in delight at the fact that Gon didn't fight the gesture. Feeling provoked, he continued, "I remember the first time I heard you in the hallway, I couldn't help but think that I had never heard a melody so serene before in my life. It was like technicolor had been introduced to my otherwise gray life, and I didn't even know it yet. I think I fell for you the moment you sat next to me in art, and I haven't been able to pick myself up since. Yeah it sounds cheesy as hell, but it's the truth, Gon. All of my life, everything was loud in my head like two trucks colliding in front of me. But you brought the quiet that I didn't know I needed. You gave me clarity, you gave me purpose. And it scared the living shit out of me. I couldn't help but wonder how you would react, how you would see me, if you knew what I had done. I thought you wouldn't want me around, because I saw you as being so goddamned perfect," Killua felt Gon wince at the phrase, and noticed the sheer disappointment that accompanied his face, "but the more I got to know you, the more I realized that wasn't true. You were secretive, always hiding something and sometimes I could feel this sadness blanketing you. And I was drawn to it, like you and me could somehow drown in our sorrows together. I realize how fucked up and unhappy that sounds, but it made me love you more. Like you could maybe understand how I felt even though we both never talked about it. And while I never imagined it was as deep as what you told me, your pain made me feel like we could finally meet at the head and grow together. Like I didn't have to worry anymore about being a monster in your eyes, because maybe you could soothe my inner beast and I could do the same for you. Knowing this, knowing that I could finally face what happened and not run from it gave me more courage than I ever had to step up and do what I had to do for Alluka. And that's why," he took off Gon's mitten and his own glove before intertwining their fingers, bringing the skin up to his lips for a kiss, "I can't let you go. I can't let you wallow in your pain or guilt or whatever it is that you feel any more. I won't sit back and let you miss out on life, or Wing or anything because I love you too much for that. I was scared before, but I'm not anymore, and that's all thanks to you. So I said all of that to let you see who I really am, and know what's really been going on in this head of mine, and that's why I called you to meet me."
Gon's eyes never strayed from Killua's, not even to blink, and Killua gulped down his nerves. He knew that he said that Gon didn't have to respond, but a light wave of frustration electrified his chest at the silence. As he opened his mouth to ask a question, Gon swallowed thickly and spoke.
"It isn't fucked up at all, Killua."
"What?" Killua shook his head in confusion.
"What you said," Gon coughed and gripped Killua's fingers tighter in his fist, "about it being fucked up that you were drawn to my pain. It's not because I did the same thing to you."
Killua drew in another icicle breath of air, afraid to say anything to stop Gon's soliloquy .
"I was scared too, Killua. I felt, and still feel, like what happened to my dad is my fault. If I hadn't been so persistent to have him in my life, maybe he wouldn't have tried to find my mom and create this family for us. Maybe he never really wanted to be a dad, but I didn't want to believe that. I thought it was best for me to be with him. I didn't stop to think about anyone else but me, and look where that got everyone." A tear cascaded down his cheek, and he gasped when he felt the warm fingers of Killua wipe it away before continuing. "I know it sounds silly, but my brain won't let me believe anything else. Even Aunt Mito told me that either way my dad would've done what he did, but I just can't believe it."
"Why?" Killua asked before he could stop himself.
"Because," the word came out strained and thick on Gon's lips, and Killua realized Gon was about to confess something that had never been spoken aloud before, "because doesn't that mean that he didn't love me enough to stay? That I was secondary to everything? That he still would have done that, and not have thought for one second about how I would feel about hearing the news? I want to believe otherwise, Killua. I have to." Gon took a deep breath, tears cascading down his cheeks in a race to meet his chin. Despite his sobbing, he forced the words out, too far to turn back. "When I met you Killua, I realized exactly what I was doing. You were such a breath of fresh air, and you didn't hold me to some ridiculous standard of positivity. Our friendship was so foreign to me, but familiar. I just had to be around you, I had to hang out with you. I had to get you try this spaghetti, or sketch with me or whatever, and I knew that I had feelings for you. I knew that I was using you to fill in the empty place in my heart, and I felt so guilty for that. When you kissed me the first time, I felt like I was on fire, and I knew then that I was selfish. You had real feelings for me, and they were genuine and not some scapegoat to run away from the past. I thought that it would happen again, that I would smother you with my own selfish needs and desires that I would cause you to self destruct. But I loved being with you, I love you, and I swallowed it down and convinced myself that it would be something we would never have to talk about. But then you showed me that paper, and it came crashing down. I didn't know how to face you after that, I felt so guilty and ashamed that you would realize that I was using you to fill my own sadness and I couldn't stand the thought. I thought you would run, and I wouldn't blame you if you did."
"So what changed?" Killua whispered, his eyes stuck on Gon's. "If that's how you feel, then why did you come?"
"Because you painted that picture, Killua." Gon smiled, a contrast against the sad tears that flowed down his face, forcing a genuine smile from Killua. "You painted it and you showed me that you get me. That even after everything, you still planned to stick around me. I realized that you didn't fill the void that was in my heart; you created your own space. I thought that my feelings for you were because I didn't want to be sad anymore, but that isn't the case at all. You made me forget, even for a second, that I had become this person that could move on, even if I really didn't. And yeah, it's scary, because I don't know that that means. I didn't know I was even capable of feeling something for someone so deeply, but here you are. I don't know why that picture made me see that, but it did. I never felt so understood in my life, and it's because of you."
"I'm not surprised," Killua chuckled, scooting even closer to Gon, "you have this insane ability to pull things from pictures that's astounding. Even Bisky thinks so."
Gon scooted closer to Killua, finally giving in to the magnetic pull between them. Without any chance to listen to the voices in his head, he leaned his forehead against Killua's, running his free hand over his cheeks. He breathed in his smell, becoming aware how much he missed his aroma that delighted him. A breeze of ice and mountain and clean linen.
"I'm sorry, Killua," Gon breathed against his lip, unaware at how the action caused a heat to stir in Killua's abdomen, "I'm sorry that I pushed you away. I didn't mean to hurt you, but I just don't know how to get back to who I was."
"You don't have to be who you were, or who you think you have to be. Just be Gon," Killua couldn't resist as he planted a small kiss on his lips, "Just be you, good or bad, and let me take care of the rest."
Gon smiled against Killua's lips, feeling the truth pouring from the flesh and into his mouth. He swallowed it before his inner voice could protest so that it would always be a part of him in case he needed confirmation. Killua reached his hand around to the back of Gon's head, the soft strands that resided at the base of his neck tickling his fingers, and pulled him into another kiss. Killua allowed his tongue to express the words that he didn't say, finding comfort and home in the Gon's mouth. How he had missed this, a passionate embrace between lovers, and unspoken contract between friends. He would never let this go again.
He pulled back to stare into Gon's eyes, letting them become a window to the depths of his soul. He wouldn't pretend that Gon was instantly better, nor would he act as if things would magically go back to the way that they used to be.
The answer was found in the highlight of Gon's blackened pupil, an unspoken agreement between the two. They would never be the same Gon and Killua who met in art class, who ate spaghetti in small café's and tiptoed around each other in protection of their own secrets. They wouldn't be the same lovers who ignited their passion on tiled floors or spoke declaration of love on sofas.
They wouldn't be those same lost souls; they would be better.
The galleria sparkled as if it had been repainted for this special occasion.
Kurapika stood at the entrance collecting tickets from the public, looking around in amazement at the turnout. He had been honored when the university approached him to help run the event, and he gleamed at knowing that he could shake hands with Wing himself. His stomach twisted in knots as he looked around the attendees for a certain bronzed skinned, emerald black haired teenager among them, and sighed when he realized that he wasn't in attendance.
He reached in his pocket to look at his phone, recounting the several text messages that he had sent over the week leading up to Wing's show. Normally, Gon would have rampaged Kurapika's inbox with elated texts, but his outbox was pathetically empty. Killua had told him a few weeks ago that Gon wasn't himself, but the lack of detail successfully let him know that it wasn't one hundred percent his business.
Still, as he surveyed the crowd again, he couldn't help but wonder what exactly had happened. While Gon would frequently go missing in action from time to time, Kurapika swore that nothing would stand in the way from meeting his idol. He debated on whether or not he should give him a call before Leorio strutted over, smoothing out his tie and looking disheveled.
"Geeze, is it just me or is it really hot in here?"
Kurapika snorted, twisting the canister on the lid of access tickets and straightening up. "I told you before we left the house that you didn't need to put on a business suit, Leorio. It was you who insisted on dressing so formally."
"Can you blame me?" Leorio gulped down the glass of wine in his hand and wiped his mouth on the back of his sleeve. "It's not every day that royalty comes around Yorkshin, you know."
"Wing is not the kind of guy who likes stuffy events," Kurapika motioned the attire of the crowd, most of the attendees dressed in business casual clothing, "I repeatedly told you that."
"Ahh well, the hell with it. It's not like I can do anything about it now, mom. When is he coming out anyways? I want to drink more, but I don't want to meet him with my head in my ass."
Kurapika shook his head and chuckled, saving his comments to avoid being called Leorio's parent again. "I'm sure he'll be here momentarily. Besides," his face saddened to a frown, "it's not the lack of Wing that bothers me among the guests."
Leorio scanned his eyes around the room, his mouth falling into the same saddened features as Kurapika. "Yeah, now that you mention it, I don't see Gon or his boyfriend anywhere. You don't think that he would miss something like this, do you?"
"I'd sure as hell hope not," a voice called from behind them, startling them both.
"Zushi!" Kurapika elated, pulling him into an embrace. "I haven't seen you in a while. I was starting to think you didn't like me and Leorio anymore, considering you missed the last two events."
Zushi's thick bushes of eyebrows formed and apologetic line as he massaged the back of his head. "Yeah I'm sorry about that, I've been helping my mom out a lot."
"Hmmpph," Leorio snorted, "seems you have to be some sort of celebrity to get you out of the house, kid. It's a sad day when status trumphs years of friendship."
"No, no, it's not like that Leorio. You guys know that I would've come had I'd been able to."
"Yeah, yeah," Leorio cut him a playful grin, "well you can make it up to us by telling us where the hell Gon is."
Zushi sighed and dropped his expression, nervously looking at the ground. "I don't know. He hasn't even talked about it in a while, but the last time I asked he said he would think about it. He's been going through some things, although I don't know what. I really hope he wouldn't miss this, I know he'd regret it."
Kurapika nodded, smiling to cut the tension. "I believe in him. Besides, he seems to have a good support in his corner. I doubt that Killua would let him wallow in whatever he's going through for too long."
Zushi's face perked up, submerging himself fully into Kurapika's optimism. "Yeah, you're right. Killua's a good guy."
A roar of applause echoed the room, silencing the worries of the trio. A middle aged man with slightly disheveled hair and an unkempt white shirt half tugged into his pants emerged from the back of the galleria, adjusting his glasses. He smiled shyly at the crowd, waving his hand in thanks. Kurapika could barely contain his glee at the sight of Wing, trying to push back the emotions of turning into a fan boy. Leorio whistled through his fingers, clearly feeling the effects of the potent wine that he downed moments earlier. Zushi clapped with wide eyes a smile stealing the corners of his mouth. Kurapika reciprocated the smile, before a lightning of sadness panged through his chest.
How ideal, that such a genius of a man had bestowed his presence upon Yorkshin, and how dreadful that the one person who would take the most from this was nowhere to be found.
Wing moved his way through the cheers, awkwardly adjusting his glasses. He stood in the center, in front of one of his most intimate pieces of work, the one that singularly launched him into his esteemed fame. A young girl stood in the busy streets of a metropolitan city, the streets buzzing to life behind her. The fast paced rain poured all around her small frame, the heavy umbrellas and large coats an indication of the cold, brisk air that whipped the city. Her strawberry blonde curls were frizzed and stuck to the sides of her face, intruding her eyes and sticking to her lips. A too , tattered yellow coat hung from her body loosely, letting the audience know that she perhaps came from a family of little wealth. Everything behind her was dimmed in black and white, but she burst alive in color, her smile radiant and toothy except for the two black pits in her top row. She was holding an ice cream cone, strawberry perhaps, that was dripping down her frail fingers and falling unto the ground below. A teddy bear, a sad worn looking thing, was gripped tight in her other arm, its leg skirting the puddle on the sidewalk. She was exceptionally happy, and Wing later told them that he bought her an ice cream cone because she stared sadly outside of the parlor while her parents bought bread from the stand in front. They hadn't been able to afford her one, but with one small gesture, she smiled so brightly that he had to take a picture. Fittingly enough, he titled the photograph, Innocence, and it became published in many magazine sources, including National Geographic. Many were touched by the little girl's smile despite the circumstances around her, and Wing only found it to be right to give the majority of the proceeds to her and her family for helping him achieve his dream. Now here he stood, many years later, a man who had accomplished his dream and then some.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat and smiled at the crowd, "Thank you all for coming tonight. I know it may not seem like much coming from me, but I always am so surprised and grateful when people like what I put out there. For as long as I can remember, photography and art have always been engrained in me. It cost me many jobs and relationships," he chuckled along with the crowd, "but I'd be lying to you if I told you that it wasn't worth every sacrifice. Some photos will look familiar to you, and some are new, but all are originals that are available for sale. Each photo has a different charity that half of the proceeds go to, so I encourage everyone to ask about the photo and the story behind it. At the end of the showing, I will have a question and answer panel or just a general conversation between friends. I'm not very good at speeches, so I will leave you to your browsing, and I will be on the floor to if anyone wants to come say hi. And not to plug myself, but my latest book is available for purchase, and of course I will sign the cover if anyone is interested. Enjoy, my friends, and I hope that you love them as much as I do!" The crowd roared to life again, pleased at his pleasant courtesies and unaware at the sweat that was brewing down Wing's back as he had to make his speech. A liar he was not; public speeches terrorized him.
Kurapika, Leorio and Zushi decided to wait for the crowd around Wing to die down before approaching, instead checking out his latest photos and occasionally glancing at the door to see if Gon or Killua showed up. The sun was setting, creating a brilliant orange glow in the glass windows of the galleria and setting off the yellow spotlights inside. Kurapika felt his stomach turn, knowing that time was winding down and worrying that Gon had missed his chance.
No sooner than he decided to make one last phone call, the doors to the galleria chimed, and in walked a dapperly dressed Killua and Gon. The trio was instantly pushed in their direction, causing others to wonder if another celebrity had come out for viewing. When they noticed it was just two ordinary, albeit handsome, teenagers, they continued to ravishing of the man of the hour.
"Gon!" Zushi squealed, throwing himself against his longtime friend, "I was really scared that you weren't going to make it!"
Gon returned the hug, affectionately looking at Leorio and Kurapika simultaneously, and smiled. "I'm sorry I was so late guys. I had to prepare myself for this moment. I didn't want to meet Wing with my head up my butt."
"Hmmph!" Leorio smirked, "The little guy gets it!"
"It's okay Gon," Kurapika rested a hand on Gon's shoulder, "better late than never that's for sure. The best news is that you didn't miss the discussion panel with Wing."
Gon's eyes brimmed with delight as Zushi pulled away, and Killua smiled marvelously at the sight for sore eyes. He knew that it would take time, but it appeared that Gon was finally settling back into himself.
"I'm so glad! Killua knew that I shouldn't miss this opportunity, and I'm so glad he was right!" He looked around the room and took Killua's hand before his eyes widened. "Look Killua! It's Innocence! That's the one I told you about!"
Killua squeezed Gon's hand, not missing the coy smiles that the trio threw their way, and looked at the picture in admiration. "It's beautiful, Gon. I'm glad you came, and I'm glad I can first hand see how great he is." Gon turned to face Killua, a love stricken smile plastering his face. Killua returned the gesture before leaning over to kiss his cheek. He meant his silent vow that he proclaimed; he would tell the world how much Gon meant to him if he could get him back.
"Aaagggh okay, okay, lovebirds," Leorio waved them off with a smirk, "save that for after prom or whatever you kids are doing now a days."
"You say that like you're so much older, Leorio," Kurapika teased, crossing his arms, "if I recall, you were doing more than they are back then."
Leorio leaned over and put his arm around Kurapika shoulders, his small glasses tipping down his nose. "Sssh with that perverted talk, Kurapika. Let's not taint these kids minds. I'd hate for Mito to have a reason not to shag with me, after all."
"Ewww, Leorio, can you not?" Gon laughed, waving him off. He led the group to the outer wall, looking on at the new prints of Wing. Several caught his eye, especially ones that appeared to be taken out of the country on a tropical island, many of the local natives gathering around for a dinner. An elderly woman who carried a baby on her back in a sling looked suspiciously at the camera while perched over a large tub, slicing a native fruit. The baby sucked its thump and gathered her hair in its small fist, a beaded shell bracelet adorning his wrist. The other natives in the background moved about preparing other foods, or lounging about drinking from large orbed fruits. The piece was titled, Hello, Home, and Gon was captured by it with hardly contained enthusiasm.
"You like that one, boys?" A familiar voice called out behind them, and the group turned around and gasped loudly. Bisky stood behind them, looking uncharacteristically suave in long pink slacks and white button up blouse. She still adorned her strapped shoes, but long gone were the brown flip flops, replaced with white wedges. Her unruly hair was pulled in two pigtails that hung in curls around her face, making her appear to be quite younger. Standing next to her side, beaming with pride, was no one other than Wing himself, who waved at the young men in front of him.
"Bisky!" Gon exclaimed, his eyes unable to leave his idol, "Are you aware that Wing is standing next to you?"
Bisky chuckled before turning to Wing, waving him off in dramatics. "This old coot? I'm very aware, considering that he has yet to leave me alone all evening."
"Wait, wait," Zushi said, lowering his head to take her words in, "are you saying you two know each other?"
"Something like that," Wing announced, and Gon had to clutch his chest at the acknowledgment that he was speaking to him. "Bisky was my teacher many years ago. She was the one who pushed me to follow my dream, and showed me that I even had a talent. I couldn't come to Yorkshin and not invite her."
"He says that like he doesn't visit at least once a year," she gleamed , "he makes an old woman feel pretty good about herself!"
"Just how old are you?" Killua asked before he could stop himself, earning a nudge in the side from Gon and a glare from Bisky.
"And just where are your manners, Killua? Almost makes me want to take back my little present for you boys."
"Present?" Gon and Killua looked at each other before looking back at her skeptically, confusion painted on their faces as if it was a permanent part of their skin.
"Aaah, so these are the two?" Wing gestured his finger toward them, his face beaming with astonishment. "Why, I feel honored!"
"Whoa, excuse me," Gon sheepishly laughed, trying his best to not sink to the floor with excitement. "First, let me say, wow¸Wing I'm your biggest fan! I love your work so much, you have no idea how it inspired me to do my own work, and I mean I'm alright, I'm not as good as you, but who could be I mean, look at this stuff, but you don't have to look right because you took it? I know, I get it I sound completely stupid, but you're my idol, and I mean that to not sound creepy, does that sound creepy? You probably think that I am a total scatterbrained kid, but you're so cool and amazing and-"
"Breathe, Gon," Killua chuckled, squeezing his shoulder, "take it easy."
"Oh, sorry," Gon grinned, nervously patting the back of his head, "I get a little excited when I meet someone that I admire. Well, I guess this is the first time that has happened."
"It's alright now," Wing held up his hands to let him know that no damage was done. "I was like that when I met some of my favorites as well."
"I think you want to know what I meant, right Gon?" Bisky smiled slyly, her excitement radiating around her like a shadow. Before waiting for him to respond, she motioned to Wing to continue.
"Bisky here has been telling me for the past few months of two students who were very talented. So much so that she had been inviting me to the school after hours to view their work. She even clued me in to this galleria where some of the photographs that one of them has taken has been displayed in past shows. Needless to say, I was very impressed with the both of your work. You two have exceptional talent that goes wise beyond your years, and I was moved by so many of your pieces."
"Thank you," Killua said breathlessly, unable to comprehend that his work had been approved by someone of Wing's stature. Gon's mouth was floored, and he was unable to find the words to give his gratitude.
"No need for thanks," Wing continued, "it's the honest truth. The last piece she showed me, A Lake of Fireflies, really impressed me beyond anything I've seen in such a long time, and it only solidified my decision. I was going to be making this announcement in a few months, but I suppose I could tell you boys if you promise to keep it a secret."
"Absolutely!" Gon managed to speak, although it came out high pitched.
"I've been offered a job at Zaban Institute of the Arts in Zaban City, as a professor of photography. I've been investing money into them for years, because I really agree with their education and their ability to find students jobs in the art field. It would give me a chance to slow down for a bit, and pass along some wisdom to students. Because of my investments, the university and myself partnered up to give away five full ride scholarships to freshmen for next year. Now normally, one has to apply and submit their works before receiving it, but I don't think that will be necessary for you two."
"W-what?" Killua gasped.
"Are you…are you saying?" Gon's voice was faltering out, while Kurapika, Leorio and Zushi began to cheer on at the unspoken present.
"I would like to make you two the first recipients of the Zabing Scholarship, the name pending," he chuckled, "if you two would accept."
Gon and Killua could barely find the words to show their appreciation, looking back and forth at the other in astonishment, unable to grasp the turn of events that had transpired.
"I take that as a yes, boys?" Bisky said while laughing, a hearty smile on her lips.
"Bisky," Gon breathed, "how could we ever thank you? This is a dream come true! Yes, a thousand million yesses!"
"Oh stop it," Bisky waved him off, "you two brought this upon yourselves! Your work speaks volumes, and your hard work doesn't go unnoticed. Now don't think this means that you don't have to turn in your final project or anything," she teased, "but you two are far too talented to not get the proper molding that Wing can give you. I'm excited to see where you two go, and I only ask that you're like Wing here and don't forget little old me."
"Anything, Bisky," Killua said ,fighting back his emotion. Without knowing it, Bisky had just gifted him a future, one that he didn't even know was possible, and a future for Alluka. He would take the blue planet that they resided on and put it on a chain if it meant her happiness for her selfless kindness.
"I'm glad to hear it you two," she looked at her watch before smiling at Wing. "I believe it's time for your panel Wing, and I don't want to miss it in case you decide to lie to these good people." She waved goodbye to them and tugged on Wing's arm.
"Please see me after the show, I would love to discuss the specifics with you, and I look forward to having you both in my class next fall."
"Thank you so much again," Gon said, and couldn't stop himself from walking forward and hugging Wing. Wing looked awkward, but quickly recomposed and chuckled, patting Gon on the back.
"You're more than welcome, Gon. It was definitely my pleasure."
Gon released him, his cheeks turning into berries at his embarrassment, but no one else seemed to mind. They were too busy in excited tones at the news for the both of them, and Killua reached out to squeeze Gon's hand.
"Killua," Gon's face radiated with the solar lights that hung above them, his smile one that Killua would remember for the rest of time, "can you believe it? That this is happening? To us?"
"No, I can't," Killua could barely contain his glee, shaking his head as if this would turn out to be some sort of cosmic joke, "but it's so perfect, Gon. So absolutely perfect."
And as Killua looked around the faces of his friends, the ones that he hadn't expected to make, he realized the words had never been more true.
Weeks ago, things seemed bleak and unfixable, as if the sorrows of he and Gon would swallow him whole like a hungry snake. He prepared himself to fight through the pits of hell, coming in contact with his own demons and Gon's, if need be.
And just like that, things turned for the better, the sun teasing to shine again after stormy skies threatened to reign forever.
Killua found more resolve than ever in that moment. He remembered an incident weeks prior, a flaming haired man and his pink haired partner stopping him outside of school, asking him for his side.
A side that Killua didn't feel he should ever tell the world.
Looking at Gon, he felt a fierce desire that he had a decision to make, not just for himself.
For Alluka.
For Gon.
For their future, that for the first time in forever seemed bright, a blazing sky of oranges and yellows and reds.
He knew right then, what his decision would be. And he knew the first step he had to take.
It was a dark tunnel that Killua had to go down, and while taunting and frightful, he knew it was the only path he had to take.
Now or never, Killua was more than willing to close the book of pain, and write his own story for once.
SORRY FOR THE DELAY AGAIN GUYS! LIFE, YOU KNOW.
OKAY SO FIRST, (AND THIS IS FOR MY A03 FRIENDS) THANK YOU GUYS SOOO SOOO SOOO MUCH FOR THE KUDOS! FINALLY BROKEN 100! I SCREAMED WITH DELIGHT WHEN I SAW THE COUNT! IN HONOR OF THAT, I'M GOING TO LINK THE PILOT CHAPTER OF WHAT I WAS ORIGINALLY GOING TO WRITE OF SUNGODS AND MOONCHILDREN AS. I CHANGED IT WHEN I GOT INSPIRED, BUT I THOUGHT YOU GUYS MIGHT BE INTERESTED TO KNOW HOW IT WAS ORIGINALLY GOING TO GO. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS THINK, ILL LINK IT HERE, BUT IT WILL ALSO BE POSTED UNDER MY NAME ON BOTH SITES AS "OSGAMC ORIGINAL DRAFT"
THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEWS, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO ME. SERIOUSLY, IT MAKES ME FEEL SO GREAT KNOWING THAT YOU GUYS ARE PICKING UP WHAT I'M PUTTING DOWN, AND I WILL NEVER NOT TELL YOU HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO ME.
I DON'T WANT TO DRABBLE TOO MUCH, BUT I WILL SAY THAT I ENJOYED WRITING THIS HAPPY CHAPTER FOR MY BABIES. THE PAST FEW CHAPTERS WERE PRETTY SAD, SO IT WAS NICE FOR THINGS TO BE LOOKING UP.
IM PROJECTING ABOUT ONE MORE CHAPTER OF STORY, AND ONE CHAPTER OF HALF STORY, HALF EPILOGUE.
WHICH IS A RECORD FOR ME, BECAUSE I HAVE YET TO FINISH A STORY :P
AS ALWAYS, PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW! NOT ONLY DO I LOVE HEARING IT (EXCUSE MY EGO LOL) GOOD OR BAD, IT HELPS ME TO KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS THINK, AND I WOULD BE REALLY INTERESTED IN KNOWING.
NEXT CHAPTER, LESS FLUFF, MORE PLOT, I PROMISE.
ALSO, 10000 POINTS TO ANYONE WHO CAN POINT OUT A LITTLE CANON BISKY THROWN IN HUMOR/FACT HERE!
TILL NEXT TIME (AND HOPEFULLY NOT TOO LONG THIS TIME) GUYS,
-BITCHII-USA