BLD9

(A/N: spring has sprung! Unless you're in the southern hemisphere. Happy equinox everyone, I hope you're new season will bring new joys.)

Anyway this chapter is utter crack and I'm not ashamed. I needed a plot device and the internet was there for the taking.)

Chapter 9: Social Media

"So they'll have the dress ready for the first fitting in two weeks?" Kalluto asks, "that seems really quick."

Machi nods, "we're they're only active clients right now. They're putting other things aside to quicken ours up!"

"Oh…" Kalluto furrows his brow, "I guess they like having us as clients then."

Marza laughs, "Of course they do! Are you completely unaware of how famous you are? You're a Zoldyck who ran away to join the Phantom Troupe, and you honestly thought you weren't famous?"

Kalluto's face flushes, "I… no, I really didn't. I knew word had gotten out that I was gone, but you know… I thought we were more secretive than that!"

"Well it kind of depends," Machi shrugs, "Our names are generally common knowledge, but our powers and stuff like that isn't as common. Only higher placed people know that, unless it's something big and public. You're a more well-known member because of your family, and so word about the wedding did get out. We're kind of celebrities now. And I have a twitter, so…"

"You tweeted about my wedding?"

"Only once! I just said 'omg Kallu has to marry Fei wtf? Thx IllumiZ, you suck.' And he replied ' MachiPT not my problem, the little shit's your responsibility.' What a jerk, right?"

"Maybe I should get a twitter…"

Feitan was on his phone at that very moment, scrolling through his Tumblr feed. Because he's a Tumblr hipster. And he does art commissions sometimes.

He has an ask, for once (700 followers and yet no one ever talks to him).

-hey… I heard this Rumor about you marrying a Zoldyck, what's up with that?-

He clicks answer and begins to type, choosing his words carefully,

-Kalluto, yeah. It was a disguise at first, but now pride is on the line. Illumi Zoldyck is an ass, let's put it that way.-

He reblogs a few things, posts a sketch he drew that morning, and logged out. He was never one to stay online for very long.

"Heh, maybe that's why no one talks to me. Oh well, I still have that portrait commission to do for the governor's daughter, better get started on that."

Feitan found himself in a large windowsill looking over the front lawn. His reference picture in one and, charcoal pencil in the other. He loved art, that was no mystery, but it was not well known that he actually drew and painted.

His art style was not too different from the artists he followed regularly, but there were a few very unique qualities that gave it a quirky, individual feel. His art ranged from dark gore to beautiful simple portraits like the one he was working on now. It was like therapy for him.

"I wonder if Kalluto might like a drawing." He muses, "I still haven't shown him my sketchbook. I should probably do that soon. Or maybe I'll draw him some stuff and put together a little portfolio as a gift. He'd probably love that!"

He gently shades in the shadow on one side of the girl's nose, brow furrowing in concentration. "If my art's even any good. I know I don't suck, but I'm no Picasso either. Hell, I only charge so much for commissions because I'm famous. It's like those bands that sell millions of records even though they aren't that great."

Feitan puts the finishing touches on the simple portrait and sets the book aside for later. His eyes trail down the pathway leading to the house, wondering vaguely when Kalluto would be home. Honest with himself as he was, he concluded that he missed the assassin dearly.

"And here we go, I'm starting to get emotions. This'll be fun, I'm sure," He thinks with a dark chuckle.

Downstairs, everyone else had put together a decent guest list, only about thirty people. They all know Kalluto wanted something small. Satisfied, Kurapica gets up from his chair.

"Well, I do believe I'll go out to the garden. Anyone want to join me?" he asks, looking around the room.

Only Kuroro gets up, "I actually wanted to talk to you about something. How about we eat lunch out there and talk?"

The blond nods and they make their way outside, sitting by the fountain with sandwiches and lemonade.

"So," Kurapica asks, "what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"Well, you actually." He explains, "You've been acting rather strange these past couple days. After the initial attack, you've been nothing but kind to everyone here. Not that I mind getting along with you- I'm quite enjoying this actually- but it's not normal for you."

Kurapica blushes a little bit and shrugs, "Well, that's not an easy question. This is taking a lot of self-control, you know. I mean… Killua, Gon, and Leorio are like family to me. Dysfunctional, sure, but family all the same. And by extension, I feel sort of responsible for Kalluto. After they explained what happened with Illumi, I decided that Kalluto's happiness and safety was a little more important than my own interests. I can kill you any time I want, but this wedding is only going to happen once. And besides… I'd rather protect the family I have now than avenge my other one. They aren't less important, but I think it's time I started living in the present, not the past."

"I know you haven't forgiven me either, and I wouldn't expect you to." Kuroro replies after a pause, "But, as you said, this is about Kalluto and Feitan. And I'd really like it if Killua and the rest of you could stay involved in Kalluto's life. I don't want to tear his whole life apart."

"So, truce until further notice?"

"I suppose."

(A/N: a wedding just brings people together, for better or worse. I really like sappy sweet endings, so expect some squeal-worthy cuteness when we get there. All these little side-character bits do come together at the wedding, I promise. I'm guessing that'll be… five chapters? I'm not planning this out, so it could take longer. But I do want to finish it quickly enough, so I can hopefully get up the Soul Eater thing I have planned before I go to Europe… or maybe the Pokémon one? Eh, it'll probably boil down to which OC I like better XD)