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Things to know: Some implied Gon/Killua. Small spoilers if you don't know what happens in chapter 338.

Daddy Issues (Slang Term for Electra complex)
In psychoanalysis, a daughter's unconscious libidinal desire for her father.
This story will obviously not be using the literal definition.


Contrary to popular belief, Ging doesn't hate his son. Some people— if they didn't mind being punched in the face that is— would even say the Pro Hunter likes spending time with him. Those even braver (and stupider) would even dare say that he regretted leaving his Gon with Mito.

No one believed them obviously. The fact of the matter was and still is that Ging has never had any idea how to care for a kid. Sure, maybe he could have figured it out. Maybe his parental instincts would've kicked in, but after that damn wolf almost ate Gon again, Mito seemed like the best option, okay? Ging had figured she would raise him, let him live a normal life, makesureawolfdidn'teahim…

Who was he kidding? Ging knew the kid was going to want to find him one day, Hunter blood or not, and some would say he was a bastard for telling an ex-convict to kill his son if possible. So what if Gon had some expectations to meet before he saw Ging? The Hunter sure as hell didn't want some weak-assed kid comin' to see him. No harm came from it either, so there! Gon found him and has even managed to exceeded Ging's expectations since then (not that Ging'll ever tell him that).

All right, and Ging kinda loves his son now that he's got to know him…even if his hair is ridiculously weird. Still, there were a few of Gon's more particular attitudes that Ging kinda maybe sorta…well, they were really annoying, okay?

Like who the hell wears shorts that short? He's sixteen now! Sixteen year-old boys should not have shorts above their fingertips. Hell, the waist of his shorts is hiked up over his belly button! And the bright-green color is about as obnoxiously bright as his attitude. He's just so damn happy all the time! It's genuine, too! No one is that authentically cheerful without some kind of mental problem!

(Come to think of it, there was that one time…but Ging doesn't think he dropped him that hard…)

Anyway, that wasn't the worst of it. Nope. Ging can stand that his son is some kind of perky grasshopper. No, it was that one friend...what was his name? Leorio was the doctor who socked him in the jaw, so not him… It's the silver-haired Zoldyck kid with the sister. …Kil …Killua! Yeah, him! Ging's met Killua once, but he's already had it up to here with the kid!

Of course, his impression of the kid was already a bit bias before he met him. Every time Gon would tag along with Ging somewhere, the kid always called the Zoldyck at least once each month, and they talked forever! Even on the way to met Killua, the whole blimp ride to York New Gon was gabbin' away about what he did here-and-there and how so-and-so's doing, laughing the whole time with this goddamn smile on his face. The smile was way too happy. Ging doesn't care how long the two haven't seen each other. You don't grin like a fool for hours after you get off the phone with your best friend.

It was at that point Ging had considered pulling another disappearing act, but he'd wanted to meet this Killua kid. He still regretted not running when he had the chance.

Ging had excused himself from the table after ten horribly suffocating minutes to head outside. Gon had looked like he wanted to say something, protest his dad leaving, but had Killua quickly recaptured his attention with barely any effort. There's that damn smile again! It's not normal!

Seriously, the two met eyes and— boom!— tension. It wasn't the hostile tension of regret or the crushing weight of awkwardness like Ging expected. Oh no. It was the kind of tension Ging did not want his son having with a Zoldyck.

He'd went outside and leaned heavily against the building, watching his son through the shaded windows. Alluka was happily munching on cookies, completely oblivious to the borderline flirting going on right beside her. Ging felt his hate becoming deeper and deeper the longer he looked at Killua's smug little face. Who did he—

…Whoa. No. No, no, no! Ging is not an overprotective dad. Nope. He's just worries about his son like any good father— but he's not a good father, dammit! He's Ging Freecs! Ging Freecs does not get overprotective! Or hide outside!

Back straight with his infamous confidence, Ging had strutted back inside.

Thirty uncomfortable minutes later full of way too friendly smiles, Gon and Killua were finally parting ways much to Ging's relief. He had still been in the minority though; even Alluka had looked sad, looking up at Gon with wide, begging eyes that rivaled his own puppy dog eyes. "We can see you again soon, right?"

That was when it got weird. The two teens had exchanged looks as they explained the situation to Alluka, a million plans made and discarded in single minute of quick communication. There were twinges of expression in their mouths and around their eyes, zooming back and forth with such brisk understanding even Ging couldn't keep up with what was being "said" between the two.

Then there'd been the moping…or lack there of. They'd parted ways with those happy little smiles in place that made Ging want to puke and chipper good-byes that belonged in those horrible, child-friendly movies. As soon as Gon turned his back though, this expression of pain just flashed across his face like he'd been punched in the stomach.

So yeah, Ging has the faint urge to smack Gon any time he does something annoying, but he does love him. If he didn't, he wouldn't be standing in the middle of the damn snow on the edge of town waiting for Gon to show up.

Finally! He almost yells in relief, ready to get a move on and get the feeling back in his toes when he sees Gon approaching (no one can miss that ridiculous hair). Then he hears laughter echoing, the happy quality making his mood sour even more. When they get closer, he finally sees the other one, the two of them walking way too close for best friends.

Maybe I can seek away before they notice me.