#killugon fic

[sweetautumnwine]

there’s a name appearing on Gon’s phone with heart emojis and he’s been texting this person for the entire day, ignoring killua. Killua finally confronts him about it only to be surprised that it’s not at all what he thought. #request

Killua tried to disregard it, but as the day progressed into afternoon, he found his patience dwindling, his confidence wavering. 

Gon was ignoring him.

The realization stung, and Killua bowed his head, clasping his hands in an arc above his scalp as he wrestled with the thought. Gon had just fled the hotel room, cell phone held tightly in his grasp, with a weak farewell left in his haste. 

All day, Gon had spent his time with his eyes glued to the small screen of his Beatle. He’d gotten pretty adept at texting, and his fingers flurried across the keyboard, his eyebrows furrowing when his speed increased.

Whenever Killua tried to speak to him, offering him chocolate or a playful quip, Gon brushed it off. Killua, in a desperate attempt to secure Gon’s attention, had even blurted out that he would run away if Gon kept this up. But Gon didn’t look up, just pursed his lips as he continued his message and murmured, “Sure thing, Killua.”

It didn’t help that whoever Gon was texting was clearly important. More than once, Killua had snuck a glance at the screen only to spot a collection of hearts alongside the unreadable contact name. He wouldn’t admit it, but his heart felt sore after that first glimpse.

Alone in the hotel room, Killua rose from the lone table and retreated to his bed, collapsing backwards onto the comforter and draping an arm over his eyes. Evening would come soon enough, then dusk, then night. The passage of time was always something to rely on, even if his dearest friend wasn’t.

His lips quivered, but he forced them together to keep them from moving. With a deep breath that strained his lungs, Killua sat up, his mind turned solemn and still. Blindly, he sought his own phone, still lying on the nightstand, and dialed the one number he’d bothered to memorize.

Gon answered on the second ring, his voice dwarfed by what sounded like the soft din of a crowd. “Killua?”

Killua gripped the phone. “Where are you?”

“I’m just... in the lobby.” Gon clearly covered the receiver with his hand and made a muffled shushing sound, and the uproar grew quieter. “Do you need something?”

Gritting his teeth, Killua sucked in air through his nose before speaking. “Yeah. We need to talk.”

The silence that followed was maddening, even though it only lasted a few moments. “Sure. I can come back to the room in a little while.”

“It can’t wait.” When Killua felt the prick-sting of tears in his eyes, he hastily wiped his sleeve across his face and continued. “I’ll just come down to you.”

Growing serious, Gon exhaled, the sound almost of defeat. “Oh. Okay. I’ll be waiting.”

“Yeah,” Killua said, staring at the opposite wall so intensely he imagined the wallpaper smoldering into flame. “See you soon.”

_

Killua took the emergency stairs, deciding that it would be better to make Gon wait—and to give himself time to prepare for the worst.

For months, they’d been together, but there had been times when Killua would lie awake at night, plotting an escape. Should Gon tire of his presence or determine that Killua wasn’t suited for his company any longer, Killua decided that he would make his exit as gracefully as possible.

Now that the scenario seemed more likely than ever before, Killua found that he was clinging to the past, burying his claws in it, resisting his escape plan even when he knew it would be for the best.

He reached the ground floor and lay his hand on the door knob, his touch light and reserved. He closed his eyes, bringing his chin to his chest, and dispelled the tension from his features.

As much as the day had distressed him, Killua wanted to believe in Gon. He wanted to believe that nothing was wrong, that it all had been a misunderstanding, but something knotted in his stomach, telling him he was a fool.

Knowing that he couldn’t delay himself any longer without good reason, Killua pulled the door into the stairwell and stepped into the lobby.

Gon stood facing the elevators, but when he heard the door open, his head swiveled. The grin on his face was blindly, and Killua froze in place, captivated by Gon’s light.

How can you smile like that when… when…?

As Gon drew closer, his pace slowed as he registered Killua’s expression. He tilted his head to one side, his eyebrows pinching with concern. “What’s wrong?”

Killua clenched his fists by his side. He could feel each pulse in his palms and his temples, pounding enough to ache. “Why…”

Gon reached Killua and stopped just a foot in front of him, his worried hazel gaze searching for answers. “Killua?”

Normally, Gon’s concern would embarrass and delight Killua. It was foreign, after all, to be cared for. But now, it made Killua angry, and though he knew he was behaving irrationally, he ground his teeth together and hung his head as he tried to contain his emotions.

“You’ve ignored me all day,” he choked out, unable to meet Gon’s eyes. “But now that I seek you out, you greet me with that grin? What are you trying to do here, Gon?”

When Killua lifted his head, he knew that his cheeks were red and wet, but he immediately forgot his fury upon registering the devastation on Gon’s face. His tears stopped from the shock.

And then, Gon smiled again, tentatively this time, as he extended a hand. “I’ll apologize later. For now, come with me.”

Killua shook his head, unsure if Gon was truly that insensitive or if he was dumber than Killua thought. “No, what—”

“Trust me,” Gon insisted, taking Killua’s hand by force. “You’ll understand in a minute, Killua. I promise.”

Though reluctant at first, Killua allowed himself to be led to an adjoining room as Gon wove a path through unconcerned patrons. The double doors were adorned with brass knobs and decorations, but Killua hardly had the time or sense to admire its appearance. Gon easily nudged both doors open and turned toward Killua as he stepped backward into the darkened room.

As Killua entered, brilliant flashes of light disturbed his vision, sharp pops and hisses filling the silence. Killua nearly recoiled, but Gon’s grip held him there, firm yet gentle.

The overhead lights slowly bloomed into brightness, and Killua’s sight adjusted with ease. However, it took him a few seconds to understand what he was seeing.

He saw Leorio and Kurapika, beaming like idiots, along with Melody, Hanzo, Satotz, and Ikalgo at the first table. Behind them were a dozen other tables, around which familiar faces—Hunters, chimera ants, and nearly-forgotten comrades—gathered. Many of them wore colorful pointed hats atop their heads, and in their hands were an assortment of firecrackers and confetti launchers.

Once Killua caught his breath, he stepped further into the room, eyes wide. All fear had vanished from his mind, leaving only utter confusion. “What… is this?”

Gon threw his arms around Killua’s shoulders, nuzzling into his neck as his full weight fell upon him. “Happy birthday, Killua!”

Realization struck like a jolt of electricity, and Killua blinked hard. “My… birthday. You mean this is for me?”

Gon pulled away just enough to nod. “Sorry I ignored you. I was making plans all day. There were a lot of hiccups near the end.”

Killua remembered the hearts and felt his chest grow tight. He leveled his voice and tried to convey a tone of curiosity, though it certainly fell flat. “Who else was involved?”

Tapping his index finger to his chin, Gon hummed in thought. He seemed unwilling to part from Killua’s side, and Killua couldn’t bring himself to push him away. “Well, Leorio helped with wrangling everyone, Kurapika dealt with food, Melody got the entertainment booked, Netero worked with the hotel staff, Ikalgo organized the gifts—”

“But what about the hearts?” Killua blurted, slapping his hands over his mouth as soon as the words escaped.

Gon blinked, his mouth still agape. Once he processed the inquiry, Gon furrowed his brow and withdrew his phone, pressing a few buttons before displaying the screen. “Which ones?”

Now that Killua had a clear view of the screen, he quickly realized his mistake. Every contact name in sight featured a name along with a smattering of emojis, a majority of them an assortment of colorful hearts.

Killua balked, turning an incredulous gaze onto Gon. “What the hell, Gon?”

“I add them for all my friends,” Gon said innocently.

“What about me, huh?” Killua demanded, wiggling out of Gon’s hold and crossing his arms over his chest. “Do I get hearts?”

To Killua’s surprise, Gon averted his gaze for a moment, then scrolled through his contacts once more before handing the phone to Killua. “Not exactly.”

When Killua took the phone, his tongue felt thick in his mouth. Gon’s behavior was undeniably strange. Was he ashamed? Embarrassed? Remorseful?

Then Killua looked at his contact name, and his cheeks grew hot. There, beside his name, resided a single red heart.

Killua thrust the phone into Gon’s chest and turned to address the crowd, ignoring the fact that his face was flushed. “Well, we’re all here to celebrate me. Where’s the food? Where are my gifts?”

Leorio made some comment about how kids like him never change, do they? and Killua spared another glance back at Gon whose grin had finally returned. He wondered, for a moment, if his immediate assumption was correct or if he was simply projecting his own desires onto something mundane.

Gon’s eyes met his. Killua saw that their usual sparkle had returned in full force, and he smiled back, reasoning that there were more important things to concern himself with for the time being.

[storybookprincess]

"There have been some very near misses, some moments they’ve almost been together beneath that small sprig of mistletoe, very close and very warm, moments when Killua’s almost been near enough to count Gon’s freckles and see every fleck of gold in his brown eyes, moments when Killua has almost threaded a hand through the hair at the back of Gon’s neck and leaned in closer, closer, closer still.

He’s only just avoided it."

It's been two months, and Gon hasn't yet kissed Killua. Which is fine. Really. It is. Or it would be, if it weren't for the mistletoe Aunt Mito's hung in the entryway to the kitchen...

Written for the 2019 HxH Christmas Exchange!

this is my contribution to the hxh christmas exchange for the lovely @avtorsola!!!!!  i hope you enjoy it, sol!!!!  and i hope everyone reading this has a wonderful holiday season!!!!!!

[lesetoilesfous]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Hunter X Hunter Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Gon Freecs/Killua Zoldyck, Gon Freecs & Killua Zoldyck Characters: Gon Freecs, Killua Zoldyck Additional Tags: Child Abuse, Past Child Abuse, Hurt/Comfort, Past Torture Summary:

Set post S1 E25, just after the Zoldyck family arc. Little bit of head canon filler/ fix it fic. Canon compliant violence and discussion of abuse.

'Killua hisses as he passes over a particularly deep lash, its edges are frayed and it cannot have been made by a regular whip. Gon’s fist clenches around the cloth, and warm water runs out between his fingers. He’s heard of such things in dark corners from cruel people, but never seen them. His next word breaks in two and he sounds far more like the child both of them are supposed to be than either of them ever do.

"Why?" '

Killua and Gon discuss what happened to him at the Zoldyck mansion.

[tobiologist]

from my twitter prompts! for @naarumiya !!

killugon + things you said under the stars and in the grass + aged-up reunion

Five years.

Has it really been that long since Killua last saw Gon? For him, at least, it feels like five excruciatingly long years since they parted ways, since they exchanged their goodbyes.

It’s strange, sitting in the grass, stars overhead, alongside someone he travelled the world with. The atmosphere is eerily familiar to the times they spent together like this, when they were younger. Life was certainly different back then, but the distance between them, the soothing shine of the moon, the chirping insects- it’s all the same.

And yet there are glaringly obvious differences.

Gon has grown since Killua last talked to him. The muscular frame he started developing as a child has come along nicely, broad shoulders tapering into a trim waist and strong thighs. His hair, however, still holds its gravity-defying style, and his eyes have somehow retained their sheen of childlike wonder. He greets Killua with a bone-crushing hug and his usual enthusiasm.

The whole exchange is so very Gon, and it makes Killua’s chest ache.

After a few hours of wandering the streets of the nearest town, sharing stories and catching up, the two retreated to the forest. A line of low mountains and sloping hills cut across the little seaside city. As darkness fell, Gon excitedly coaxed Killua along and drew them to one of the hilltops.

That’s how they reached this point.

Killua curls his fingers around a tuft of grass, trying to distract himself from the situation at hand. Being away from Gon for such a long period of time has taught Killua a lot. Mostly things he doesn’t want to accept and mostly things about himself. The worst truth- the hardest to deny- is quite literally staring him right in the face: his feelings for Gon Freecs.

A childhood crush is tolerable, okay. Killua may not be the most socially adept person in the world, but he knows enough. And, really, he kept the whole “crush” issue under control when he was younger. He was only thirteen, fourteen- no big deal.

But now that he’s almost nineteen years old and still can’t shake these emotions… it’s become a huge deal. A massive deal.

“I can’t believe it,” Gon suddenly says, pulling Killua away from his thoughts. His head tilts back, eyes peering into the inky black sky overhead. “Together again.”

Together. Killua squeezes the poor blades of grass tighter.

“It is pretty crazy,” Killua concedes. He laughs weakly.

Gon turns. The light of the fire dances across his face, brightening it, and draws Killua’s attention fully to the quirk of his lips, playful smirk forcing Killua to smile in return. Although his body looks every bit the young adult he is now, his eyes and that delighted grin hint at the child on the inside.

Comfortable silences falls over them, and Killua doesn’t have the courage to break it. He sneaks hesitant glances in Gon’s direction but nothing more. An unfortunate tuft of grass meets its end as Killua accidentally squeezes too hard, tugging them by the roots.

Gon, of course, is the one who finally speaks.

“We should stick together from here on out,” Gon comments, tone soft, careful.

Killua tenses. He looks over, trying to gauge how serious Gon is being, and his breath hitches. Gon is staring right at him with the biggest and most unguarded grin Killua has ever seen. His heart crawls up his throat.

“Gon…”

“I know, I know, but I miss travelling with you.” Gon pauses, and maybe Killua is imagining things but he seems… nervous. “I miss spending time with you, Killua.”

Fingers tentatively brush over the back of Killua’s hand, over his knuckles, and he swears he’s going to fucking scream because this is really happening. Warning bells blare inside his head, and for a moment, he considers pulling his hand away.

But he can’t. Not when he’s been waiting for something like this for five years.

“You’re serious,” Killua mumbles. His eyes refuse to cooperate and flit around, desperately avoiding eye contact.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while. And I think it’s a really good idea.”

Uh oh. Gon launches into a long explanation as to why teaming up again would be for the best, and Killua can only sit and listen to the whole thing. It makes it a lot easier to transition into a normal conversation. They get to talking, almost like they used to, and Killua is able to ignore the thumb tracing circles on the back of his hand. Well, mostly.

They continue late into the night until the fire starts dying out and eyes begin to droop. Gon scoots a bit closer and urges Killua to lie back, curling around him like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Killua wants to discuss their reunion more, to decide if they’re seriously going to stay together, but he’s exhausted and sated by the familiar warmth of Gon’s sleeping body.

They’ll figure things out tomorrow. For now, Killua is going to enjoy Gon while he still has him. 

[hxhhasmysoul]

Chapters: 1/?

Fandom: Hunter X Hunter

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Relationships: Gon Freecs/Killua Zoldyck, Canary/Alluka Zoldyck, Knov/Palm Siberia, Minor or Background Relationship(s)

Characters: Gon Freecs, Killua Zoldyck, Canary (Hunter X Hunter), Alluka Zoldyck, Nanika (Hunter X Hunter), Mito Freecs, Biscuit Krueger, Gon Freecs' Great-Grandmother | Abe, Kalluto Zoldyck, Gotoh (Hunter X Hunter), Machi (Hunter x Hunter), Zushi (Hunter X Hunter), Retz (Hunter x Hunter), Phinks (Hunter X Hunter), Knov (Hunter x Hunter), Palm Siberia

Additional Tags: High School AU, Modern AU, Aged-Up Character(s), characters aged up or aged down to be hs student age, Coming Out, non-binary characters, quarterback!Gon, Ging being Ging so Gon has issues, multiple POVs Gon/Killua/Canary, active homophobia including personal attacks and slurs, Implied statutory rape, sexual and sexist jokes, open conversations about sex, implied sex, Teacher-Student Relationship, Abusive Relationships

Summary:

Knov is the bane of almost all students who take AP English. He gives everyone a long list of ‘offences’ that would make them fail his class. Gon’s always tried to fly under Knov’s radar, but the new student Killua sees it as a personal challenge to commit them all. And Gon can’t help but be drawn to a good challenge and proper shenanigans. Canary takes her dream to become an investigative reporter very seriously and she’s looking for a good story that would impress college admissions boards.

______

My Big Bang fic. @hxhbigbang2020

This time is was a mod in the event and it’s been really great until my life went sideways and I just became dead weight. I want to thank all my co-mods, you’re all wonderful and really well organised! Working with you has been so much fun.

I also want to thank the wonderful @subdee for beta reading this fic. You’re so kind and patient, idk what i’d without you. i so happy i got to know you, i can’t repeat this enough!

[fireolin]

The Wishing Hunt  𝕏𝕏 Ch 9 𝕏𝕏

Ch 9 on A03 or below

Rating: M (mature themes)

(Chapter 1 on AO3  and Tumblr  or back to Chapter 8)

About: Before he’s roped in to rule Whale Island, Prince Gon Freecss seeks a single personal wish that can only be found in the treacherous fae region of Aiai. If he is to return safely, he needs a bodyguard. Killua Zoldyck has no desire for such a job. He is an ex-fae assassin who hides his dark past. All he wants is a good night’s sleep, then to travel onwards to see his sisters. However fate has other ideas.

Aiai is full of romantic dangers as fae seek to lure humans. As they travel, Killua and Gon embark on a fake relationship to help keep them safe from fae advances. Neither are looking for love, but the biggest romantic challenge for them both turns out to be each other and the terrain of their own pasts.

THIS CHAPTER: Thanks to Gon's brilliant idea, he and Killua escape the village square alive and in one piece. As they deal with the aftermath of having kissed, their room awaits them, and the fae seer, Palm.

𝕏 9 𝕏  In My Arms

Am I mad? Killua thought. This is too risky.

Nothing he did now was an act. He held Gon the way he wanted—tightly, so no other fae could steal him. He knew no way to kiss Gon other than as a fae: possessively, as if Gon was truly his human. Ever since he’d escaped his family’s realm, he’d been disciplined, never kissing his occasional human partners, in case the sharp points of his teeth revealed that he was fae. If Gon felt them, would he realise? Might he later give Killua away?

I should know better… Yet here he was, kissing Gon even more thoroughly than he’d imagined when he’d first laid eyes on him; more thoroughly than Winter had kissed Summer back in Sweetwater, when he couldn’t bear to watch. He was such a hypocrite, after demanding Gon not use his tongue.

Gon’s mouth was as warm as he’d imagined, and more seductive. He ran his tongue along the top of Gon’s flat teeth again—danger be cursed. The drums rolled, countless feet thudded in the square, and Gon surged against him, inviting him deeper. Surely no human could be like Gon, compelling him as though he was the one bespelled, helpless sounds escaping him—and a smile radiated through him, making him glow inside, driving apart the dark clouds of his existence. I should never let you go. His magic welled up like the turbulent edge of a storm; an impulse to bond Gon to him—

He gasped and broke the kiss. Gon’s delectable mouth looked swollen. They both breathed heavily. Was Gon acting? He was good at that, having acted innocently to his opponents nightly at the inn—and this deception had been his idea. But he no longer jerked to the beat of the music—they moved as one, Gon moulding himself to Killua like a half-drowned man finding the shore. His grip on Killua’s shoulders was bruising.

Maybe that grip wasn’t a reaction to their kiss, but legitimate fear of the dancers. A predatory motion caught Killua’s eye—a pair of fae dancers, two lithe young men, eyed them with intent, readying to spring. His behaviour alone wasn’t enough to convince them he was fae. He pulled Gon closer, cheek against Gon’s ear, then glared at the youths and dropped his glamour. He shot his claws out over Gon’s hip where they would see. They inclined their heads and backed away. Killua whispered the words that restored his glamour and felt the tingle across his skin.

That was the stupid, frustrating thing. If he could only drop his glamour, neither he nor Gon would be in any immediate danger, and the drummers would let them pass. However, while he hadn’t yet recognised any fae, if even one recognised him, a chain of events could start that would cost his sisters’ lives.

Safe from inspection, he faced Gon again.

“What happened?” Gon asked.

Rather than answer, Killua covered Gon’s mouth in another kiss. Unbidden, his magic swelled, but this time he was ready and pushed it down. Sunshine… How would I feel if you kissed me fully?

He’d never know. This deception was the only reason they’d ever have to kiss.

Rain hit his fist, caught in Gon’s hair. It splatted his cheek and trickled down between their mouths, cool against the heat of Gon’s lips. Killua caught another breath and leaned back in to drink Gon’s laughter. Joy sparked inside him—unquenchable despite the heavy drops that smacked onto the foliage nearby and beat upon the ground, and made their mouths slip. The piping stopped, and the drums, and Killua kissed Gon until only the patter of water remained.

#

Views of the village square in one direction alternated with rain-veiled mountains in the other through the narrow windows that lit the spiral stairs to their room. Gon’s charcoal cloak billowed over his leather boots as he nimbly took each step above Killua, who trailed behind, ostensibly to let other guests pass, but truly grateful Gon had no chance to meet his eyes and somehow glimpse the tumult inside him.

Each of the seven levels was a blessing, extra time to calm the whirlwind of his thoughts. Spirits help him, the danger of the dancers had been worth every moment.

The seventh landing offered a choice of two doors. Gon unlocked the one to their left. He stepped aside as he entered, ushering Killua in, and they both observed the bed, just wide enough for a couple. “Looks comfortable,” Gon said, after a moment’s pause. “Which side will you take?”

Two beds might have been easier now: the very real swollen feeling in his lips from kissing Gon made Killua’s formerly harmless fantasies seem dangerously possible. But an extra bed would have been unusual. He glanced at Gon, who smiled, and looked away. Not his usual bold gaze. He’d barely spoken since they’d kissed. Killua had no clue what he thought.

Killua set his satchel down by the nearest window, which was shuttered and set into the curved stone outer wall opposite the foot of the bed. Not only was his habit of checking the wards potentially lifesaving, but it would serve as a refuge from his awkwardness. He tested the shutters—secure, though light entered through their cracks. “All the fittings are dwarven brass. Comfortable for fae.”

He cursed silently. What a dumb thing to say.

“Interesting,” Gon replied brightly.

Was it? Killua crossed to the other window, set beside a low storage cabinet that doubled as a bedside table. “The wards on these windows are stronger than back in Sweetwater. Fitting for a fae fortress.” Now he sounded like a tour guide, or a bad poet. “Danger is most likely to arrive from inside the tower. I’ll take the side nearest the door.”

“Okay.” Gon was opening the first window, letting light and rain into the room.

“You were right about the weather,” Killua said, groping for a neutral topic. Weather. Genius. But Gon’s ability to predict it was intriguing.

“You doubted me?”

“I didn’t anticipate it, myself.”

Gon laughed softly. “I could smell it arriving. On my home island, our trade and food and many lives depend on twists in the weather, so I paid it much attention.”

Gon felt far away, despite being only a few paces distant. Killua’s new awkwardness accentuated the lonely ache that was his familiar companion. He didn’t want to endure it if he didn’t have to. He joined Gon leaning on the windowsill, which was just wide enough for both of them. Gon could always push him away if he wanted.

When Gon didn’t, something loosened inside Killua. “I’ve never visited any islands,” he said. “My home was inland, hidden on a mountain. The fae there loved extreme weather. Any lives lost belonged only to human servants, so we—they didn’t care.”

“You mentioned before, you weren’t a servant.”

Not a question, but an opening. Was he prepared to offer more? Killua stared through the rain towards the mountains. He wanted to talk to Gon, but only more lies would allow him. “They—they stole me as a baby. Then they brought me up as one of their own.”

“I’ve heard of such things…changelings, and the like. You never knew your human parents?” Gon’s manner was casual, but the look he gave Killua was surprisingly intense.

“No. But I never felt their absence,” he hastened to add, not wishing to arouse Gon’s sympathy for something that had never happened. “My fae parents feel like my actual parents.”

“I know what you mean.”

“You do?” Oh, shit. He hadn’t wanted to dwell on his lie, but it had touched a nerve?

“In a sense. I don’t know who my birth mother is. My father only said she was a sailor, and not interested in keeping me. He brought me home when I was too young to remember, and he…left, when I was six. And so, my aunt brought me up. To me, she feels like my actual mother.

“But, I feel my father’s absence. I remember him. Not well, but enough.” Bitterness laced Gon’s tone. “Sometimes he sends gifts.”

“You said your sapphires were a gift.”

Gon’s gaze turned down. “Yeah, they’re from him.”

“You don’t value them,” Killua observed. “Is that because you hate him? I understand that kind of thing.”

“I don’t hate him. I would have valued him returning, or at least visiting, more than those sapphires, or any other gift. They just prove he’s alive and well, yet never cared to see me again.” Gon shook his head. “Sorry. Don’t mean to be maudlin. Especially not after you saved my life again.”

“You saved us both this time. That plan was your idea. You were right, those fae would have hurt me.” Killua watched the rain, not wishing to be reminded again of Gon’s mouth. But he nudged his shoulder into Gon’s. “You said we were friends. So you don’t have to pretend you’re happy when you’re not.”

“I’m happy we’re friends.” Gon leaned into him. “Killua…you said your fae family treated you as one of them. Does that mean their servants were yours, too?”

“Yes. They were household servants. And when I was small, my nursemaids.”

“I had servants, back home. I grew up with them. Some felt like family.”

“It wasn’t like that for me.” The rain rolled down his hands; his fingers were as pallid as a corpse.

“Did you know the servants that died?”

“Well, yes. My parents are not unlike Lady Moonflower. If they grow tired of a servant, or displeased, or even if they’re just feeling whimsical, they’ll give them a challenge they can’t survive. The lucky ones are unaware of their plight—like thinking they eat a delicious apple that’s really no more than worms. The unlucky ones are aware, but either an enchantment or fear compels them.”

Gon visibly shuddered. “Like being forced to dance for a year?”

“Or to wash clothes non-stop in an icy stream, or chop wood barefoot and naked in a blizzard. One of my early lessons was to watch until they died, so I’d become inured to death and stop getting attached to humans. So you see…I’m not like you, Gon.”

“Mm.” A muscle flickered in Gon’s jaw as he digested what Killua had said. “But your parents failed. I saw you taking leave of the Ghost Arrows. Obviously, you care for each other. You hugged the blonde woman, and even the ogre I first saw you threatening to kill. What were their names, again?”

“Rotha and Yuzir.” Hopefully, Rotha hadn’t lost all her winnings since he’d left, and Inreer had kept Yuzir from snacking on any passing wild fae.

“Right. You’re used to death, sure. But I think, although you hide your past and lie, you do care for people. You’ve risked yourself several times to save me.”

“Maybe.” Killua contemplated his fingernails—his hidden claws. “Don’t imagine I’m good because I saved you. I’m worse than Rose. I’ve lost count of the lives I’ve taken.” He eyed Gon, who didn’t react. “But when I lie to you, it’s because I must. There’s a chance my honesty would endanger us both, not to mention others I care deeply about. That’s all I can say. It doesn’t interfere with me being your bodyguard.”

“I assumed you’d killed people. Good or not, I trust you.” Gon paused, and his lips curved in a smile. “And, so you know, I enjoyed the way you kissed me. You lied to me then. You said you found tongues too intimate. Then you absolutely plundered my mouth.”

Killua’s pulse rose into his throat. “I…kissed you like a fae. Sorry, if I went too far.”

“Don’t be sorry—I’m not. You switched your plan to mine, and I’m grateful. I won’t even ask why you lied. I could have objected, but I didn’t want to. But I’m not a fool, Killua. If we ever kiss again, I’m giving you as good as you gave me.”

“It won’t happen again,” Killua said weakly.

He couldn’t help but imagine. If he didn’t have to hide his nature, Gon could kiss him that way, knowing he was fae. Such an appealing idea, he was tempted to confess all his lies on the spot. But one conversation would lead to another, and his past would emerge, and Gon would want nothing to do with him, let alone to kiss him.

“With our ruse, we can’t know.” Gon’s eyes were both warm and determined, sending a shiver through Killua. “If we kiss again, next time, I want things to be fair.”

He must never kiss Gon again, or he’d have to concoct a totally unbelievable lie to justify his fae teeth. In the end, he could only nod.

“Good; we agree.” Gon patted Killua’s shoulder in a cheerful, friendly way. “I should find that seer Amis mentioned, before dusk arrives. You don’t have to come if you’d rather rest. I won’t be in danger here.”

No way would he let Gon seek some strange fae alone. “I’m coming. You might need my expertise.”

#

Relief flowed through Gon as they jogged back downstairs. Talking of their kiss had been necessary. He’d given Killua fair warning in case they kissed again. Not that he should encourage that—but he could hope! Or yearn, if he was honest. It’d been hard to treat Killua casually just now, although duty had forced him to do so. The way Killua had kissed him had challenged his resolve.

More importantly, Killua had finally opened up a crack to him. He hadn’t wanted to react too strongly in case Killua stopped talking, but he’d needed to push down his anger, hearing about Killua’s childhood—only a hint of what Killua must have endured. However many lives he’d taken since then—and whatever the circumstances (fae and twisted, Gon would bet)—clearly, those early ‘lessons’ hadn’t turned him into someone heartless. Killua was ruthless—his first plan had been to kill Rose. However, he’d listened to Gon and agreed to an alternative. He didn’t kill senselessly.

Hopefully, this errand would dispel any last awkwardness since they’d kissed. Luck was with them as they followed the tower administrator’s directions, taking the mossy stepping stones through the tower gardens. Terraces filled with weeping trees, wildflowers, and lily ponds descended towards the edge of the outcrop, overlooking the ravine. Few guests remained outside in the drizzle, but at the lowest terrace, above a drop to a grotto, amidst the sound of waterfalls and the scent of moss and mud, a woman stood knee-deep in water, poking a stick into a patch of floating flowers.

Dripping wet ropes of black hair fell past her face into the pond. Her silky purple slip of a dress cascaded over her slim waist and rounded hips, shimmering in the rain.

“Oh,” Gon breathed. “She’s lovely!”

“She’s muddy and bedraggled,” Killua said, tugging his hood over his head, a futile gesture since he was already wet from the rain in the square.

“She’s a water fae! She’s in her element.”

Gon stepped forward, eager to cross to her, but Killua seized his arm. “Don’t forget what I said. Her kind are renowned for taking humans as husbands. She needs to think we’re boyfriends.”

Gon wiggled an eyebrow. “Maybe she’ll want us both—”

“Gon! You need to take the danger seriously! Her kind only takes one husband at a time, and I’m certain you’ll be her type.”

“I’m taking it seriously.” Like Killua had taken his joke. “And, I disagree.” He smiled. “Out of the two of us, she’ll prefer you, since you’re the prettiest.”

“I am not.” Killua blinked at him.

A beautiful shade of pink coloured Killua’s cheeks. “You are,” Gon insisted, genuinely trying to reassure him. “Promise I’m not flirting. That’s fact, not flattery. If she likes either of us, she’ll like you more.”

“I don’t know how you— I must be doing something wrong.” Killua rubbed his cheek, avoiding Gon’s eyes. “You’ll see. So be careful.”

Doing something wrong? This wasn’t the time to figure Killua out; they were here for the water fae, and pleasing her could make the difference between living and dying on this quest. Gon did, in fact, take this extremely seriously.

She looked up as they arrived at the edge of her pond. Gon’s breath caught—a smooth, purple stone, like half a crystal ball, sat embedded in her forehead. “Hello,” he called. “I’m Gon, and this is my boyfriend, Killua. You must be Palm.” He delivered his best courtly bow.

She gave him a cool, assessing look, then waded across and offered her hand. “You may kiss my fingers, Gon.”

Was this a test to see how he’d react? Clasping her fingers gave him a close view of the scales on her forearms. They glimmered in pink and blue tones before merging with the smooth, pale seashell-coloured skin of her hands. He wasn’t certain whether she had pointed fingernails or actual claws. Their colours matched her scales. He brushed his lips to the mud-flecked skin of her knuckles.

“A true nobleman,” she observed, in a low, musical voice. “Whose kiss might break a particular type of enchantment.” Gon’s stomach tightened as he met her eyes. Was she referring to old tales? Had she seen he was a prince? Her eyes were a deep lilac, both sad and kind. They could have been human until she blinked. Two movements—long-lashed eyelids, and a membrane that flicked sideways across her eyes. “Unlike your boyfriend,” she added. “He is your opposite.”

In that Killua wasn’t noble? Or that his kiss could cause enchantments? Gon could believe that after earlier.

“We’ve agreed not to speak of our pasts,” Killua said. “Please don’t interfere.”

“I shall not offer you my hand, Killua,” she replied. Gon wondered at her turn of phrase—maybe he should be more careful. “I am merely having fun, which you shouldn’t deny me, since this is no chance meeting.” She toyed with a draggled lock of her hair. “You want something from me, for why else would you visit in the rain? In this sense, you are no different to any other men.”

“Sorry, Palm. We mean no offence.” Gon offered her the yellow glass bead. “Amis said to give you this and tell you he sent us your way.”

“Oh…?” She scraped it up in her claws. “How unexpected. Perhaps I underestimate you. Amis is a good man. What is it that you wish from me?”

Gon explained they needed to know the fae Dorian’s whereabouts and a safe route there. That he had a map with only enough detail to point him in her general direction, plus the unreliable burnt map he’d bought from Amis. When Palm asked why the map was burnt, he repeated what Amis had told him.

Her eyes flashed. “How unjust. That grub should suffer. You say he, too, is seeking this Dorian. Did Amis request you to kill him on the way?”

“If we run into him, Amis hoped we would.”

“You shall not. Death’s release is too kind for someone so despicable. Ahh, Amis. I owe him a great deal, yet he still tries to ease my heartache, sending you to me.” She blinked, looking Gon over again. “Not only noble, but handsome and kind. I will see for you, accurately. But first, you will help me. An exchange Amis must have intended.”

“Whatever you need—ow!” Gon shot a glare at Killua, who had jabbed his ribs.

“Within reason.” Killua draped his arm around Gon’s shoulders. “Neither Gon nor I shall come to harm, and neither shall you delay our journey.”

“I wish neither of you harm. But this rain will delay your journey, and that of most anyone else.”

“Harm may be a matter of opinion. You shan’t enchant either of us into falling in love with you.”

“My magic cannot control hearts.” She smiled sadly. “Anyone who falls for me does so by themselves. I have no illusions that you will fall for me, Killua. But you overstep… Gon isn’t your husband.”

“He is my boyfriend.” Killua tossed his head, which knocked his hood off, revealing his glower.

Gon cleared his throat. “Killua’s very protective of me—he’s saved me several times. But I’m in no danger right now, Kitten.” He slid his arm around Killua’s waist beneath his cloak. “Palm, how may we help you?”

Her smile brightened. “You will woo me, Gon. Bring my heart solace, and I’ll grant you what you want. Tomorrow at noon, you will leave Killua’s side and court me as though I am the one you desire.” Killua jerked forward, but Gon tightened his grip. Killua tried to peel his hand off, but Gon wove their fingers together. Killua tensed, but finally gave in, leaning into Gon. Palm’s lips twitched. “I wish to feel worthy of a prince’s love.”

“I’ll do my best.” She definitely knew what he was, but objecting would only draw Killua’s attention. “I look forward to it.”

“I shall meet you here then.” Palm retreated and submerged herself beneath the water with barely a ripple. The rain speckled pond looked so little disturbed, it seemed she’d never been there.

“Gon!” Freeing himself, Killua scrubbed a hand through his hair. “You look forward to it? You’re supposed to be mine!”

“I’ve never met a water fae before—I’d honestly love to learn more about her.”

Killua groaned. “After all we’ve encountered.”

“We need her help. She said she means no harm.”

“She said she doesn’t respect our relationship. And you—” Killua pushed a breath out through his nose “—you think she’s beautiful, even though there’s a rock embedded in her brow!”

“Not a rock, a jewel. So? I think you’re beautiful, too. Doesn’t mean I’m marrying you, Kitten.”

“I am not—” Killua rubbed his face. “You’re incorrigible. Anyhow, that’s not the same! You’re about to court her, Sunshine; not me!”

Killua looked as miserable and dishevelled as a wet cat. As they turned from the pool, Gon hugged his shoulders. “You know I didn’t come to Aiai to fall in love with some random fae.” He could feel Killua’s sigh—hopefully a sign of capitulation. “I’m not that easily dissuaded from my goals. And, I trust you to see no harm comes to me. So, Kitten, since we’re in a fae realm, return my favour. Your turn to trust me. Support me courting Palm.”

“Spirits help me,” Killua muttered, eyeing him askance. “Returning favours? You’re as bad as Rotha, except it took her several moons to get like this.” He squirmed as they walked. “All right, I’ll trust you. But that doesn’t mean I’ll trust her.”

#

Why does Palm have to be so beautiful? Killua wrapped his cloak around himself, making it impossible to hold Gon in any way, although he didn’t shrug off Gon’s arm. He shouldn’t be cross with Gon for thinking her beautiful, yet he was. Which made him a hypocrite—again—because he’d glamoured himself only this morning to make himself seem uglier to Gon. Which apparently wasn’t working. He should be upset about that. And he was.

Of course he was. He’d double his magic tomorrow morning.

Worse, he suspected Palm had seen straight through his glamour, although she hadn’t explicitly said anything since he’d asked her not to interfere. He suspected she’d seen he was fae, and that he hadn’t bonded Gon to him. Which meant that Gon was fair game.

Still, it was hard to stay grumpy, with Gon’s arm snug around him. Even more difficult, when Gon treated him to a generous meal in the magnificent tower dining hall, finishing with many sweet fae treats. Then they climbed arm-in-arm up the seven flights of stairs to their room, and Killua could not have felt more content.

Someone had entered the room in their absence and re-secured the shutters they’d left open, and lit thick beeswax candles on the dresser and cabinets. A welcoming touch, though it also made Killua glad he’d taken the side of the bed nearest the door. He hung up his cloak, and since Gon had paid for the room, checked to see if Gon wanted to use the washbowl on the dresser first.

Gon was already sitting on his side of the bed, undoing his boots. “No, you go. But Killua, I’d like to check the cuts on your back, in case they’re infected. We can use that fae ointment on them.”

“I’m fine. You should use it for yourself.”

“I’ve mostly healed.” Gon pushed up his tunic sleeves, unravelled the bandage from one forearm, and displayed his wounds. “See?” All that remained of the deep cuts left by the thorns on Rose’s gate were angry red scars.

“Are you sure you don’t have fae blood?” Killua asked.

“Perhaps, through my mother, for all I know. But I don’t think so. My father used to heal fast, too. Yet there’s no record of fae blood in our family line.”

“Your family keeps records? That’s unusual.” Unless Gon was noble, like Palm had suggested. A prince, even. Killua waited, hoping Gon might admit to it.

“Island tradition.” Gon shrugged. “But back to my point. It would ease my mind to know you’re in the best shape possible before we leave. We can’t have you succumbing to fever on the road.”

“I expect I’m healed as much as you. Magic all through me, remember?”

“You’re stronger than me, Killua, yet you look more worn out. We’ve eaten well, and tonight we’ll sleep well. I want to be sure you’re healed well, too.”

Worn out. That must be how Gon had interpreted his changed appearance. It was working, yet not the way Killua intended. In fact, it had rebounded upon him. He swallowed a laugh. He couldn’t argue with Gon’s logic, unless he ditched his glamour and told Gon outright that he was fae. “I guess I can’t check for myself. All right, once I’m done here.”

He stripped to his under tunic, finished washing and wiping himself down, then leaned on the dresser and told Gon he was ready. By then, Gon was wearing only breeches. Spirits, he was gorgeous, all muscly brown skin and spiky black hair and golden eyes reflecting the candlelight. Gon fished the pot of ointment from his satchel, opened it and set it beside Killua. He took a lit candle and stood at Killua’s back. “I’ll start near your shoulders. You’ll have to lift your tunic.”

Killua did so, bunching the fabric up around his neck. He stared into the washbowl, trying to dwell on the wonderful meal they’d eaten, not on Gon examining the ugliest parts of him, nor on how they’d kissed, until, at a gentle touch to his shoulder blade, he flinched. “Unless we’re fighting, no one touches my back.”

“Sorry. There’s a deep cut there, which I dabbed with ointment. I should have warned you.”

The warmth from the candle moved across Killua’s skin as Gon inspected him. It would help with his uglier glamour that Gon should see all his scars. Gon didn’t seem intent on questioning him about the traumatic nature of his injury. As Killua relaxed, his mind finally wandered. “That ointment… You must have known you’d heal without it.”

“Mhm.”

“So…you didn’t buy it for yourself.”

“Well, if I get injured badly later, it might help.”

Okay. He’d bought it for Killua alone. “If I’d known, I would have said something. You probably wasted all that coin.”

“No—your fight was worse than my fall. Here’s another cut that looks infected. Do you mind if I apply some ointment now?”

Manners as princely as the bow Gon had given Palm. Not all princes were courteous, though. Gon didn’t act with the arrogance Killua associated with other human nobles with whom he’d crossed paths. “Go ahead.”

He didn’t flinch this time. The ointment instantly relieved the stinging and itching he’d shoved out of mind all day. He bit his lip. He wasn’t used to receiving kindness.

In his experience, kindness usually hid ulterior motives. Even after he’d fled home and joined the Ghost Arrows, Alissander—who had never been cruel—had not been kind. Which was fine—he paid well enough. Killua could argue Gon wasn’t actually being kind; that looking after him was in Gon’s best interest; except this wasn’t an isolated act. Gon had behaved kindly since that first night he’d let Killua share his bed in Sweetwater. Killua couldn’t take it personally, though. Gon was like this towards everyone they met, even when it put him at risk. From covering the sirens’ naked bodies, to refusing to kill Rose, to buying that useless map from Amis.

Killua had to admit that in the fae realm, human kindness did not go unrewarded. Gon’s kindness had saved them from the sirens, and might save them from dying in some spirit-infested swamp, thanks to Amis pointing them to Palm. He had argued with Gon sometimes, but when Gon stood his ground, he’d been kind to do so. Sometimes kindness took greater courage than fighting. Perhaps Gon was braver than him.

Gon lightly rested a hand on Killua’s brais, at his hip. “The cuts go lower,” he said. “You were naked when you fought him. But I’ll only look lower if you’re okay with that.”

“You want to look at my naked ass?” Killua kept his tone mild and amused.

“Well…yes.” There was an amused warmth in Gon’s.

Killua wasn’t especially modest, but such a personal inspection from Gon was rather a different prospect from stripping to bathe. However, if he argued, he’d look like it mattered. Or, he could confess he was fae… “All right.” He unlaced the garment and dropped the back down to the top of his thighs. His ass was Gon’s to peruse. Fuck. Was he really doing this? Yes, he was. For Alluka and Nanika’s sakes.

“Can you—can you bend over, just a fraction?”

Had he imagined that catch in Gon’s voice? “Sure.” Supporting himself on the bench while holding the front of his brais securely, Killua poked his butt out. His face tingled. As the candle warmed his ass from the fleshy cushion to his crack, showing where Gon inspected, he was powerless to stop his cock stiffening.

“That’s…better,” Gon said. “Um…nothing looks infected. So there’s no need for me to oil you—”

“What?”

“—I mean, put ointment on your butt!”

Killua whipped his brais back up, spun as he secured them, and confronted Gon with a glare. Gon had the decency to blush as he covered his mouth and set the candle down, then backed away. “Sorry. Slip of the tongue.” But his eyes were merry.

Killua closed the distance between them in one stride. “You’re laughing.”

“It was an accident!” Gon bumped into the bed, glanced behind him, then back at Killua. “I really am sorry!”

“You were thinking about—!”

“Eh, I didn’t mean to!” Gon waved his hands, a gesture of refusal.

Killua caught his wrists and pushed them back. “Was that all a charade, just to get a close look at my ass?”

“No! I was worried about you!” Gon tried to wrench free, not even slightly cowed.

Killua tightened his hold. “I already won this battle back in Sweetwater.”

“I almost broke you then,” Gon panted, grinning. “Even though you’re stronger.” His wrists corded with effort as he pushed back.

“Won’t work again,” Killua informed him. “I should punish you.”

“Go on then. But I am sorry.”

Gon’s eyes were sincere, but something intense and speculative in them held Killua. Although he could break Gon’s bones, he felt as vulnerable as a moth hovering by a flame. His skin was crisping. He dodged a sudden sweep of Gon’s foot; shoved him back onto the bed before Gon could rebalance. “Bad move.” Weight on one knee, he leaned over Gon, forcing his wrists back and down until he’d pinned them to the mattress.

Gon glanced to either side, where Killua held him, then back up. The candlelight burnished his bare torso; his spiky hair was beautifully unkempt. His lips parted on the verge of speech, then he must have thought better. He’d stopped struggling, though he flexed his hands experimentally. Excitement flushed his face. The room felt intimate, the rain muffling everything outside, narrowing the world to just them.

Killua wanted to capture Gon’s mouth again, to steal his panting breaths; and more. He’d never felt this brittle; a parched twig ready to snap or burn. He struggled to wrench free from Gon’s gleaming dark gaze; found a spot between his eyebrows. “Don’t move,” he rasped. “There’s—there’s a poisonous bug on your forehead.”

“Huh?”

“Here.” He freed Gon’s wrist to poise his index claw. Then he flicked—hard—and shoved himself back off the bed to safety.

“Killua!” Gon wore a wounded expression. “There was no bug.” He leaned up on one elbow and rubbed his forehead.

“That was your punishment.”

“Your nails are sharper than they look.”

“You deserve worse. But, you looked after my back.” Killua turned on his heel before he could do something worse. Something fucking tender.

#

As Gon used the washbowl, Killua prepared the bed in his usual fashion, rolling up his damp cloak, swapping it for the pillow, and laying his knives beneath. He climbed under the covers and faced the door, putting his back to Gon and hugging the pillow to his chest. His cloak had a better chance to dry beneath his head, mostly in the open.

The room dimmed as Gon padded around, blowing candles out. “Sleeping on your cloak again?” he asked.

“Mhm. It’s my habit, remember?”

“Ha, yeah.” Gon climbed in behind Killua, and everything went dark as he quenched the last candle. “If my cloak wasn’t damp too, you could use it like last time. Wish I’d thought of that before we went into the rain.”

“That’s not up to you. I’m fine. Goodnight.”

“Night.”

They lay in silence, except for the rain and the odd thump and muffled voices of other guests. Killua pulled the bedcover over his ears. The space at his back grew warmer as his and Gon’s body heat combined, though they weren’t touching. He clutched the pillow tightly.

The fortress was safe, so Gon didn’t need his protection. There was no reason to hold him. And after he’d kissed Gon that way, and almost behaved disastrously just now, holding him mightn’t be for the best. Killua tensed and released all his muscles, trying to relax. It’d be fine. But he had to appreciate the irony that despite all Gon’s care, he mightn’t sleep well, simply because he’d gotten used to holding Gon at night.

Unless he asked…

No. After all that had happened today, Gon might misconstrue him. Too embarrassing to have to explain. Another fae might understand, but Gon was human.

The shutters rattled in the breeze; the rain pattered against them. Gon’s breathing grew slow and even, as if he’d fallen asleep. Killua curled and uncurled his toes. He just needed… He squeezed his pillow. Maybe… He edged back towards Gon. Another stealthy wriggle or two… Finally, his spine met Gon’s through their tunics. He released a slow breath as Gon’s warmth seeped directly into him. It was something.

“Killua,” Gon whispered.

He froze. “Mm?” The bed wasn’t that wide. It would seem like he’d just bumped into Gon.

“Can I tell you something?”

“Sure.”

“This might sound weird, but I’m…different from most people.”

“That’s not news.” Killua had to smile.

“Not in the ways you might think. Sometimes I sleep with a pack of wolves.”

“You do?” Killua’s eyes opened wide to the dark. That was different, especially for a human. “Metaphorically, you mean.” A pack of vicious humans? He had a sudden image of Gon wrestling half a dozen people on the bed.

“No, I mean literally.” Gon shifted, and Killua lost contact with him. But his low, quiet voice was closer when he continued, right behind Killua. “When I was six, I got lost in the forest. A wolf found me and led me to her pack. For over a moon, I hunted with them, and slept warm and safe among them. They comforted me, and kept me alive until my mother found me—she’d refused to stop searching, even after everyone insisted I was dead. But she was too late to stop me from falling for the wolves. I loved being with them, and I kept returning. Short of imprisoning me, my mother couldn’t stop me. I ran with them a few times a year, until I left on this quest. They’re my pack.”

Killua rolled over carefully. Faint torchlight entering through the cracks in the shutters broke the darkness just enough to see Gon’s outline. Possibly he’d lash out at Killua’s next question, but it was necessary and Killua had to be ready—though he would not harm Gon unless he had no choice. “You’re exceptionally strong for a human. And you heal fast. You don’t happen to have…lycan blood?”

“No. Neither has anyone in my family. None of us turn or shift.”

A relief, since if Gon had, Killua should have sensed it. He retracted his claws and relaxed into his damp cloak. “That’s an amazing story. I’d love to hear more.”

“I’m telling you for a reason, Killua. I want you to understand—I’m used to sleeping in a nest of wolves. So it’s no big deal for me to sleep…with you lying against me. Like we’ve been doing.”

“I see.” He hugged his pillow tighter. “We do that…when you need protection.”

“I don’t mind. Even when you don’t need to protect me.”

Killua’s heart skipped a beat. Too much to hope. “What are you trying to say?”

“We haven’t talked about this, but that night in Sweetwater, you burrowed right into me.”

“You…knew?” His throat constricted.

“I was awake when you did it. The sound of a fae troupe outside disturbed me.” Gon paused, as if gathering his thoughts. “You were tossing and turning—I thought you were having a nightmare. I tried to wake you, and you grabbed hold of me. And then you slept peacefully against my chest. I didn’t mention it in the morning because I didn’t want to embarrass you.”

“You’re embarrassing me now.” Killua scrunched his toes.

“Well, we know each other now. So…I thought maybe you hold a pillow—to stop yourself doing that.”

“That’s some wild speculation, Gon.”

“And I wondered if maybe that’s why you had the problem with your friend, Yuzir. He said no stranger would want to share with you again.”

“You remember that, too?” Killua whispered miserably.

“Well, you threatened to cut out his tongue.” Gon chuckled. “That made it memorable.”

Killua groaned into his pillow.

“That night, you said you were uncomfortable asking to share with a stranger. So I offered. It was fine with me, and I expected nothing in return. This is the same, Killua. If you’re sleeping on a wet cloak and holding onto a pillow so you won’t hold on to me, you don’t have to. If you hold me, I will still sleep well, and won’t react in whatever way you’re afraid I might.”

“Are you…offering?”

“If you like, yes. We have each other’s backs. We can sleep together safely. I won’t read anything into it. I won’t bite.”

“Even if you did, I have my knives,” Killua said.

“True.” Gon sounded amused. “I don’t need to know why, Kitten, but I felt you moving close just now, and I think you need this.”

Spirits. Gon had no idea how badly he needed it. Killua wasn’t one for nighttime confessions, but confronted with Gon’s kindness—again—he wanted to explain. There was little he could say, but the darkness was a shield. “I…I’m broken…” A barely audible whisper.

“You’re okay with me.”

“Say if this stops being okay.” Before shame could cripple him, he shoved his cloak back off the bed and placed the pillow under his head. He felt in the dark for Gon’s shoulder—he’d changed into the spidersilk tunic. “Put your back to me?” He couldn’t cuddle into Gon’s chest on purpose.

They arranged themselves as they had the last few nights, Gon broad and solid against him. The memory of their kiss flooded his mind, and an echo of the joy he’d felt. Ironic, the one person generous enough to let him hold them without expecting sex was a man he’d realised had the potential to undo him.

As Gon’s warmth soaked into his chest, Killua’s heart clenched. He didn’t deserve this, didn’t deserve such care, not when he kept lying to someone as kind as Gon. Even if he could reveal himself entirely without endangering his sisters, he was monstrous. No one who counted the lives he’d taken would offer any care. Yet the slow movement of Gon’s breathing eased his tension. It felt like warming himself at a hearth fire after years of freezing.

##

Vote: Vote: Tomorrow, while Killua watches, Gon must convince Palm that she's worthy of a prince's love. He'll need to do something special. And to convince her, how far will he let his date go?  Your vote will shape both outcomes.

Vote closed!

[softbramble]

[ killugon fic ]

preview on a new fic i'm slowly working on (*pretends i do not have any ongoing fics at the moment*) but basically, killua travels to the future and meets adult gon

[realvicoba]

Asking for a friend but if I had a long 26-ish chapter fanfic getting cooked up where Killua and Gon are Theater kids and explore the concept of grief and moving onwards with a good side of goofy fluff will you guys read it?

[rebellemaki]

so, somehow i started writing a killugon fic? here is the summary, it’s called Preserving Light

"As a portrait artist, Killua puts all of his passion into bringing each of his paintings to life. He obsesses over making a perfect replica of the person sitting in front of him as he desires the portrait to be as lively as its subject. So when Killua learns that his vision is deteriorating and that he will soon go blind, he wants to paint one last portrait; a portrait of a subject that is the embodiment of light in his slowly darkening world.”

would anyone actually be interested in reading it? 

the prompt is from auideas

[glittercracker]

A really great killugon AU, check it out! T-rated

https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/45131347?show_comments=true&view_full_work=false#comment_229980559

[driftingglass]

Btw this is Outline Anon again :) I was also curious if you have any fave Omegaverse fics? (any fandom, doesn't matter) I really enjoy Alexithymia, it's so rare to see an Omegaverse fic with a plot and actual meaning, something besides just basic smut. Much as I love your story and crazy possessive Bakugou it makes me want more cool Omegaverse fics!

Haha, I just answered your other ask, Anon! How funny. 

I’m actually not really a fan of Omegaverse at all to begin with. I’ve read… a couple, pretty good ones, a while ago, for BNHA, but the first one I ever read was actually from the Hunter x Hunter fandom. 

And, I recommend this story to pretty much anyone, so if you want to read a solid Omegaverse fic, I would say go and read Two Sides of the Same Coin by SpiritWave.

That one’s excellent. Unfinished, but worth it anyway. It’s intense and has a great storyline and weaves in the A/B/O dynamics well into a canon-divergence setting. I appreciated it a lot for that. 

I don’t tolerate PWP at all, so…

Thank you for the fun asks, Anon. :)

[lesetoilesfous]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Hunter X Hunter Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Gon Freecs/Killua Zoldyck, Gon Freecs & Killua Zoldyck Characters: Gon Freecs, Killua Zoldyck, Leorio Paladiknight, Kurapika (Hunter x Hunter) Additional Tags: Reunion Fic, Fluff, Strong Language Summary:

Reunion Drabble, Post Canon, AU.

'Gon catches him, of course. He knows with something like nausea that Gon could find and catch him if he ran to the ends of the earth twice over. Could find him where Illumi couldn’t. It'd be a long battle but he’d lose because no one could stop Gon Freecs from chasing what he wanted and if there ever was such a person the last one on earth that it’d be was Killua Zoldyck.'

Gon crashes back into Killua's life with a customary lack of grace. Killua doesn't plan on letting him off that easily. Turns out Gon's patience doesn't stretch much further. Meanwhile, Kurapika and Leorio cover the damages.

 (Background Leopika is barely perceptible, apologies if you're looking for more of those lovely two, afraid it's not really here!)

[hxhhasmysoul]

This is a high school AU so here’s the obligatory high school dance :D

[fireolin]

The Wishing Hunt  𝕏𝕏 Ch 6 𝕏𝕏

(Chapter 1 on AO3  and Tumblr  or back to Chapter 5)

A Killugon 'Choose Your own Quest' romance set in a world full of fae dangers.

Read Chapter 6 on AO3 or below.

Rating: M (bumped up from T, due to mature themes)

THIS CHAPTER: The fae incubus Rose has offered Gon a compromise that could end their impasse. One kiss, and Rose will release Gon and Killua from the orchard. If Gon doesn't trust Rose, he can still share an apple and Rose will make it easier for them to win their freedom. But Gon must decide now, without calling Killua, or Rose will withdraw the offer.

Exactly half of you voted for the winning choice at the end of Chapter 5, although every option had votes. :D My heartfelt thanks to @autumnxsunflower for their kindness in beta reading again! <3

𝕏 6 𝕏  KISS OF THE INCUBUS

To have any hope of filling Rose’s cart by nightfall, Killua needed to use his full agility. As he reached for the highest apples, the branches swayed beneath his feet. Few humans could balance like this, but luckily Gon couldn’t see, thanks to an old gnarled beech in the orchard between them.

Even fae had their limits though, and Killua desperately wished to eat. The apples gleamed more than they should and their scent was too delicious to be natural, but he’d be immune to any magic they contained. However, Rose would know if he ate one. Then, when he didn’t act enchanted, Rose would guess he wasn’t human and attack. And then Gon might discover his secret, and… could he trust Gon to keep it, like he did Alissander? Gon wasn’t a Promise Keeper. For him, fae were objects of fascination. There was no knowing how he’d react.

So Killua resisted eating. It must be harder for Gon—he’d not even had the honey cakes. Luckily, in the short time they’d known each other, Gon had shown admirable fortitude under duress. No, the chief danger to Gon would come from Rose himself. Killua kept an ear open for the thud of Gon’s apples hitting the ground, a sign he was still okay. The breeze had changed direction a short while back, which explained why he’d heard no thuds since. Still, an uneasy feeling stirred in his gut (besides the cramps from starving). Rose would become more dangerous if he decided his trap was failing.

Killua dropped silently to the ground.

As he passed beneath the beech tree, he caught snatches of Rose’s low, melodic voice.

“…why not allow yourself the pleasure…”

Sneaky bastard, speaking to Gon alone.

“…why punish yourself…”

As he reached Gon’s tree, Killua unsheathed both his knives.

Ten feet above, Rose and Gon sat on a bough facing each other. Rose had followed Gon’s example and discarded his tunic, although he spent his days too lazily to be hot from exertion like Gon. A flattering tattoo of wild roses wound around his upper body. He leaned forward, seductively offering Gon his mouth. If Gon tilted any closer, he’d be gone.

Killua aimed a knife at the apple Rose held—another trap masquerading as an offering. He’d rather have aimed at Rose’s face.

“I admit you tempt me,” Gon said to Rose.

That sounded like hesitation. Killua restrained himself with a pang of regret. Not so long ago, Gon had seemed to want to kiss him—and they could have fobbed it off later, part of their pretence. But Rose had stolen that moment. Killua would enjoy returning the favour. However, Gon would better resolve this without a fight.

“Still, I don’t trust you,” Gon continued. “I’ll consider your offers, but only if I can talk to Killua.”

“I’m here!” Killua sheathed his knives. Impressive. How many humans could resist an incubus? He leapt for a bough and swung himself up.

Rose sprang into a crouch and aimed a darkly seductive glower at Killua from behind the fall of his hair. “You move silently—I didn’t notice you arrive. But if you’re here to hurt me with your knives, I won’t allow it.”

“You were about to kiss my boyfriend. I thought we had an agreement.”

“Yes, and thanks to your jealous interference, it remains unchanged. Which is sad for you.” Rose flipped backwards through the fork in the bough, barely stirring a leaf as he dropped to the ground. The fluidity of his movement rivalled Killua’s own. He might be a skilled opponent in battle. But before Killua could assess him any further, Rose gave a mocking laugh and slipped away between the trees.

𝕏

Killua climbed to take Rose’s place opposite Gon. “What just happened?”

Gon looked rattled. “He wanted me to kiss him in exchange for releasing us both straight away. If I didn’t trust him, he offered to share his apple instead. So he could ‘taste’ me. Gods. I want to leave here so bad, and I’m starving. I don’t know if we’ll finish loading his cart by dark. He offered us until midnight if I shared the apple. I didn’t know what to do.”

“You refused him. You did the right thing.”

“Did I?” Gon shook his head. “I’m making you work and starve just so I can get through his orchard.��� He lowered his voice. “I hired you as my bodyguard, not for this. If you’re trapped here because he wears us down, it will be my fault.”

“Don’t be a goose.” Killua spoke quietly, but firmly. “Do you think I didn’t expect this kind of thing? I’d already warned you about fae traps.”

“I suppose, but—”

“No ‘buts’. Maybe you’re confused because you’re highborn or rich—used to throwing your sapphires around.” Interestingly, Gon went blank-faced at that. Was ‘highborn’ accurate, then? He hadn’t hidden his wealth. “But you’re not my lord and master. You don’t command me. I accepted your job knowing the kinds of things it might involve. I choose how I deal with whatever we encounter. The only part that’s your doing is that Rose is still alive. You don’t want me to kill him, and I respect that.”

“You do?”

“Yes. Because you’re right. If we can get out of here without killing him, we should.”

“Because…” Gon tilted his head, lips quirking. “He’s a wildflower?”

Killua couldn’t restrain his smile—Gon had remembered their conversation back at the inn. “I wasn’t thinking of predators like him when I said that. But I can’t deny, given his chosen name and his tattoo, that he must literally see himself as one. A wild rose. Beautiful, but thorned.” He shook his head, then regarded Gon. “I’m pleased you trusted me and not him.”

Gon’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “I do. What would have happened if I’d done what he wanted?”

“He would have caught you somehow, no matter what he promised.”

“Even though he said his word binds him and he promised to release us.”

“Yes. There’s always a catch.”

Gon sighed. “That’s what I thought. But where does this leave us? We still need to load his cart by dark, or all that fruit will rot. If we can’t fill it today, we’ll have no chance tomorrow. Also, I can’t resist eating forever. The scent of these apples is driving me crazy.”

“Me too. And I doubt we’ll finish by dark. We need an alternative plan, even if that means we fight him.”

“This is already a fight—just an unorthodox one. What do you suggest?”

“First, we try to fill that cart. That’s the least risky option. But if we can’t make it, then we do as I originally suggested. Get close to him and steal the key from his pouch.”

“He’s wary of you now, Killua. I doubt you’ll convince him to let you close unless he thinks he’s enchanted you first. I might have a chance—he wanted to kiss me just now. But I’m not immune to his magic.”

“So we do this together. You take the lead in seducing him, but insist on including me, as your boyfriend. You’ll have to trust me to protect you. Let me disable him, though, before you try to steal the key. We’ll have to make our chance.”

“I can do that. I’ll do whatever is needed. But Killua, how far are you willing to go? Things could get…very personal. He’ll want to lead us into having sex.”

“Don’t worry about my sensibilities, Freecss. I’ll get physical with him if I must, but once I get close, nothing he tries will go far. I’ll do my best to spare his life, but I will kill him before I let him have sex with either of us. Are you okay with that?”

Gon considered. “Yes. That’s fair.”

𝕏

Killua stayed working in the same tree as Gon, though it would slow them. They talked as they worked, sharing stories from their recent journeys, which helped them ignore their hunger. But by midafternoon, Killua was sure they wouldn’t fill the cart by dark.

“We should keep trying,” Gon insisted. “There’s a chance. The days are long this time of year.” There were weary circles under his eyes, though, and his movements were growing clumsier.

“You’re an optimist,” Killua said, aware he was slowing too. By dark, they’d be fully exhausted, whereas Rose would be fresh. Not ideal circumstances in which to keep their wits and fight a potentially powerful fae. But giving in now could look suspicious.

When dusk arrived, a quarter of the cart remained empty. Reluctantly, Gon conceded defeat. They returned to the tree they’d slept under, wrapped themselves in their cloaks, and lay back against the trunk. Killua laid his arm around Gon for appearance’s sake, and in moments, Gon fell asleep, head resting on his shoulder.

𝕏

Killua knew that as Rose’s prey, they wouldn’t need to hunt for him. And Rose arrived as surely as the stars soon after nightfall, emerging from the trees behind the well. He halted a few strides beyond Killua’s reach and gazed down upon them. His wreath appeared like a crown, its white blossoms glowing in the moonlight. He remained bare-chested, clad in his indecently worn pants. He still wore the pouch containing the key.

Killua squeezed Gon’s shoulders, and he stirred.

“You are protective, Killua,” Rose said. “Unlike your name suggests. But you’re misguided. I only seduce the willing, and I intend upon our pleasure. I see you gave up on the cart. Does that mean you’ve come to your senses?”

He held his tongue and waited for Gon. To argue wouldn’t help their plan, yet neither would pretending to cave in. Too sudden a change in attitude from him, and Rose might grow warier.

Fortunately, Gon had roused. “Rose…” He laid his hand on Killua’s thigh, pushing himself to sit straight. “Earlier, you said your offer would end if I called Killua. But I never called him, I only said I wanted to talk with him first. That means your offer should be open. Now we have talked, and—” he drew a breath “—I’d like to kiss you. A lover’s kiss, on your mouth, here and now. Like you wanted. Then, you’ll let us both leave.”

“Now you would like to?” Rose smiled. Wayward locks of hair partially screened his gaze as it lingered on Gon. “I would enjoy that. But then I had thought you might fill the cart. Since you’ve failed, that offer is no good. You must decide whether you sleep with me tonight, or labour again tomorrow. That you hesitate is most unflattering. You should compare how you spent today with…me.”

He gazed up at the moon and ran his hands worshipfully up his stomach and chest like a performer in a bordello. His skin shimmered under the stars. He spread his arms and flexed their muscles. Even to Killua, his tattoo seemed an invitation as Rose turned his back, a path a lover might travel with hands or mouth. He ran his hands down over his ass, spreading his fingers around the holes in his pants, gripping his buttocks. He squeezed himself, and his shoulders heaved as if he breathed hard. Then he directed a lustful look over his shoulder at Gon.

Who stared as if he yearned for Rose.

Killua’s jaw hurt. He couldn’t tell if Gon was acting. The constant scent of apples filled the air like syrup. Whatever seductive magic it contained was one Killua didn’t possess. However, if it affected Gon, Killua had to pretend it did him. Sick to his stomach, he leaned forward and put all his hunger for food into the look he gave Rose.

Rose returned to face them with languorous grace. “If you choose my cart over me this time, I will be insulted.”

“I—I do want you,” Gon said. “I don’t wish to insult you. But I don’t like that you’re coercing us.”

“Really? But that’s unfair. While I am lord of my orchard and my word rules here, you always have the choice of returning to the forest. In fact—maybe you should leave.” Rose’s eyes flashed copper. “After all, this is the third time you’ve refused me.” He stalked away.

Gon sprang to his feet and dropped his cloak. “Wait! You—you’re right. We can leave any time, just not through your gate. Please, don’t go.”

Rose glanced back. “Why should I stay? You don’t want me.”

“But I do!” Gon stepped forward. “I agreed to kiss you. Just—show us your kiss is harmless. Then we can decide whether we’ll sleep with you, or return to the forest.”

Rose eyed Gon’s bare torso, then considered Killua, who had risen and moved to Gon’s side. “Both of you will kiss me?”

Gon gave Killua a bashful look. “Please, honey cake?” Killua blinked. No one had ever called him a name like that. Gon added, “You offered to sleep with him before. This is only a kiss. But you know, I always wondered what it would be like to sleep with a fae, especially an incubus. I told you—”

“I remember.” As if he could forget. Killua shifted behind Gon and slid both arms around his waist. He spoke over Gon’s shoulder near his ear. “I offered to sleep with him to protect you…dumpling.” Did Gon just twitch? “You really want to do this?”

“Yeah. I—I need to…get it out of my system.”

Killua gave into impulse. He brushed his lips along Gon’s cheek, and Gon leaned into him as though they were really lovers. Gon had a nice, rough stubble after the last few days, and he felt good lying back against Killua’s chest. He firmed his embrace around Gon, finding he really didn’t want to let him go—hated to let Rose touch him. At least that made it easy to play his part. “I don’t enjoy sharing. But when my dumpling really wants something, I can’t deny him.”

“How sweet.” Rose’s lip curled, and he touched his chin. “Um...you may have noticed, I have a gift for names. Forgive me, but that’s a terrible pet name for your boyfriend. ‘Sweet prince’ would suit him better.”

Gon stiffened. No, Killua decided, he preferred ‘dumpling’.

“But let us kiss, and then you will decide. At last.” Rose sighed, and a warm breeze rustled through the orchard. “Remove your knives, Killua.”

He had to let go of Gon to do that.

“In fact,” Rose added in a huskier voice, “both of you will strip. Reveal your entire selves. I will endure no hidden tricks.”

Gon glanced at Killua, checking he was okay. He nodded, and bent to pull off his boots. If them stripping made Rose feel safer, good. If it fuelled his lust, that might help distract him. The only weapon Killua needed was his body, and being fae, nudity didn’t bother him, though he’d been careful among humans to observe local customs. He’d just rather Gon didn’t see his back. As he pulled off his tunic, he kept himself angled to avoid that.

Gon’s face looked flushed even in the moonlight, though he hadn’t seemed embarrassed undressing back at the inn. Perhaps because of the greedy way Rose watched them—a soft, green light appearing in his eyes. Gon stopped undressing when he’d stripped to his brais, so Killua did the same.

“Uh-uh.” Rose waved his finger, now tipped with an inch-long thornlike claw—Killua heard Gon’s intake of breath. “Completely naked. Who knows what you’re hiding under those?”

“Creep,” Killua muttered.

Gon reached down. “You didn’t show your claws before. I’m leaving my bandages on.”

“Take them off. I want to see all your scars. Especially the fresh ones.”

He probably saw those as his mark of ownership. Killua let his brais fall to the ground and kicked them off. He avoided looking directly at Gon, not that he wouldn’t enjoy seeing him naked, but because he didn’t want to be like Rose. He felt for Gon’s hand, and they both stepped forward.

“Stop…” Rose breathed, his voice a caress. “You’re both lovely, but I cannot kiss you together. Killua, you wait by the well. Gon, come to me.”

“Gon, you can change your mind,” Killua said abruptly.

Gon squeezed his hand, then let go.

Fuck. What had he been thinking? He was here to protect Gon, not have him take crazy risks. It took all Killua’s willpower to drag himself across to the well. The sight of Gon naked from behind hit him like a blast from a furnace. He was entirely gorgeous, honed by the physical challenges he relished—and he would tear beneath those claws. Let alone that he’d no defence against magic.

Killua dug his fingers into the cold stone surround of the well as Rose seized Gon. He watched as Rose slid his claws into Gon’s hair and down his spine, then leaned over Gon, locking him into a kiss.

Gon moaned. His ass clenched and his hips jerked forward into Rose. He grabbed Rose’s hips, muscles cording with the effort to pull closer.

Rose kept his eyes open as he kissed Gon. One eye watched Killua. Fuck this—he didn’t need to hide his feelings. As Rose caressed Gon’s ass, no doubt Killua’s expression would add to his pleasure.

After an eternity, Rose shifted his grip to Gon’s face and broke their kiss.

Gon still clung to Rose’s hips. “Please—” He lunged for Rose’s mouth again.

Rose held him back. “My sweet prince. Soon. But your boyfriend needs a turn.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

No. Killlua’s fingertips felt raw from pressing into the stone. He would never in a million years let Rose touch his actual boyfriend.

Rose laughed. “No need to dump him just because I’m better. Three of us will be more fun. Now, let go. Wait for me on your knees.”

Gon sank to the grass. The front of Rose’s pants now bulged.

“Encourage Killua to join me.”

“Killua—you have to kiss him.” Gon doubled over and groaned. “Oh—fuck.”

If he’d been Gon’s human boyfriend, he would have hurled himself at Rose in bitter fury. Then Rose would have caught his fists and delighted in overcoming him. Not wishing to grant Rose even the momentary illusion of that pleasure, Killua strolled to Gon’s side.

Rose leered at him. “Your build is like my own. Kissing you will almost be like kissing myself. What could be better?”

“Fuck you.”

“Please do.” Rose parted his mouth, revealing the sharp points of his teeth as Killua stepped into his embrace. Confident, dropping that glamour. Had he shown Gon? Killua yielded his lips and clasped the nape of Rose’s neck and his lower back. He kept his eyes open, staring straight into Rose’s glowing ones, to see the moment he realised.

With the thrust of Rose’s tongue into his mouth, the lightning shock of magic burned down Killua’s spine. He caged Rose in his arms and dug his claws into the base of Rose’s skull—beneath Rose’s hair, where Gon couldn’t see. Rose’s eyes widened. He probed Killua’s teeth with his tongue and jerked back. His claws bit into Killua’s flesh—but Killua had already positioned himself to murder.

“Let go of me.” He let his claws convey the accompanying threat.

Rose vibrated with pent-up strength, but dropped his arms to his sides.

“Now give me the ke—uhh!” Killua staggered under a blow to his back.

“Let him go!” Gon yelled behind him, using his fists like battering rams.

Killua struggled to keep his perfect hold on Rose as pain swelled through his shoulder blades and kidneys. “Rose—tell Gon to stop, or I’ll have to kill you.”

Rose’s face twisted in pain, but he gave a hysterical laugh. “He’ll still want to murder you! You won’t know how to disenchant him!”

“You made him your slave!” Killua lashed back with his elbow and collided with Gon, who cried out. If Killua had been human, Gon would have broken his back by now. His blows stopped long enough for Killua to turn and pull Rose before him as a shield. He kept a firm grip on the back of Rose’s neck, although blood made it slick. “Rose—how do I release him?”

He had to turn with Rose as Gon circled in a half-crouch, a wild look in his eyes as he sought an opening.

“I’m trying to protect you, remember?” It was unlikely reason would reach Gon, but Killua had to try. Gon’s eyes were black with fury. He balanced lightly on his feet, ready to strike at any moment. Killua had seen strong fae with less natural ability. “Gon, we’re travelling together. We sleep together. Gon—I have your back!”

“If you kill him, I’ll kill you,” Gon said. “I don’t care if you’re stronger.”

Rose was choking and laughing. “You’re like me, K-Killua,” he gasped. “Full of glamours. Ha—half-truths. What’s your game?”

“Shut up, or I’ll tear your tongue out.”

Rose wouldn’t tell him. It was a stalemate, if Killua cared about Gon’s fate, unless he tortured Rose in front of Gon. And then Gon might judge it worth attacking anyway, and Rose might lie.

A memory sprang to mind, something he’d never had occasion to try. When he’d lived with his family, he’d heard rumour of a way to master incubi. Less clean than a kill, with a greater chance of failure. Few savoury reasons to use it, even if it worked.

But this was one. Killua switched his grip to Rose’s throat. Keeping a close watch on Gon, he sank his teeth into the back of Rose’s neck. Rose screamed, and Gon roared, striking the air in frustration as Killua kept moving with Rose between them.

His mouth filled with the tang of blood. It burned as his magic mingled with Rose’s. Whoever’s magic was stronger would win. If he lost, he too might become Rose’s slave. He had to trust the odds that his bloodline was more powerful, and that he could endure pain longer. Rose’s magic crackled through his jaw until his teeth shook in their sockets. Rose’s blood seared his mouth like boiling oil. It felt as though his tongue was shrivelling. He gulped back the urge to scream—that would mean letting go, and Rose would turn upon him.

Rose spasmed, spreading his arms, back arching. He could feel Rose’s throat moving under his palm. “Master!” Rose cried. “I submit!”

His mouth cooled. Experimentally, he moved his tongue. Yes, he still had one. He kept his teeth locked in place—and Rose shuddered and tilted his head back with a blissful moan. “Oh, yes...Master!”

He relinquished his bite, though he kept hold of Rose’s throat. “Tell Gon to stand down. Put away your claws.”

Rose instantly obeyed. He held up his hands, showing his claws transforming back into harmless looking fingernails. He panted for breath as he addressed Gon. “I’m fine. Really. Sweet prince—I’ve met my master! Now I must serve him, and so must you.”

Gon’s gaze flicked between Rose and Killua. “But he’s hurt you.”

“No—not at all, no. He’s revealed himself to me. You couldn’t know, but I’ve dreamt of this for years—to be overwhelmed by someone more powerful than me. I should have known from the start, from the way he spoke to me. But for such a one to desire me—I almost gave up hope.” Rose laughed. “Now, I will beg his forgiveness, and I will serve him with all my body and magic. Everything I possess—this orchard, and you, too, sweet prince—I grant to my master Killua, to use for his pleasure.”

Gon bowed his head. He dropped to one knee and looked up at Killua. “How may I please you, Master?”

Shit. Killua’s stomach clenched. He released Rose, who fell onto his hands and knees, and moaned, “Forgive me, Master—I love your name. Please, have your way with me.”

Killua stepped back as Rose tried to cling to his legs. “How do I disenchant Gon?”

“He must drink from the well. The water is not only pure, but purifying. But why would you have him do that?” Rose frowned, then his face lightened. “Of course—you don’t need him! I can pleasure you more than he ever can. Master—I’m honoured.”

“Gon, go drink from the well. Hurry.”

“Yes, Master.” Gon scrambled to obey.

“And don’t call me ‘master’.” Killua smacked Rose’s hands away, and muttered under his breath, “I’d rather ‘honey cake’.”

“Yes, my lord Honey Cake.” Undisguised pride filled Gon’s voice as he wound the bucket up.

Killua’s face heated. “Drink until you’re full. Then keep drinking.”

Gon gulped water directly from the bucket, half-drowning himself in his eagerness. Killua averted his eyes from the far-too appealing sight of Gon’s wet body in the moonlight. “Rose, give me the key to the gate.”

Rose beamed. He sat back and scrabbled in his pouch, then offered the key, a broken stick of the same smooth wood as the gate. “Where are we going? It’s an age since I’ve been outside my territory.

“You’re staying.” Killua took the key. “Gon and I are leaving.”

“But Master!”

“You have work to do,” Killua said. “Every day, you must fill your cart with apples. Let any travellers through the gate and demand nothing from them. If anyone’s foolish enough to have sex with you, you’ll let them leave when you’re done. You won’t enchant them or kill anyone.”

“But…” Rose picked at his nails, then angled a sly look up. “If they kiss me, they’ll become enchanted.”

“Then don’t kiss them. You may only kiss those immune to your magic.”

“No! That’s too harsh.”

“Rose, this is how you will please me.”

“Oh.” Rose fidgeted. “Of course. My desires are unimportant compared to yours.” He traced a claw down the tattoo on his front. “Speaking of your desires, Master. When will you return to use me? If not tonight…then, tomorrow?”

“I don’t intend to ‘use’ you.”

“But then—why master me at all?”

“I spared your life because Gon asked. I don’t desire you, so don’t pine for me. If you disobey my orders, I’ll return to kill you. Be grateful you’re still alive.”

“I am, Master. I am!” Rose sobbed and covered his face with his hands. “You’re not how I imagined you’d be.”

He’d spent enough time on Rose. Meanwhile, Gon had finished drinking and was wiping his mouth with his wrist. “I have the key,” Killua said. “We should go.”

“Right.” Gon’s voice shook. He grabbed his discarded clothes and used them to cover his private parts. “Here—” He tossed Killua’s brais across to him.

A tight band around Killua’s chest loosened as he snatched them. “Freecss. You’re back. Thank the stars.”

𝕏

The breeze chilled Gon’s wet skin as he dressed, razing the last remnants of his arousal and leaving him wanting to throw up. With Rose’s kiss, magic had erupted through his body, filling him with a commanding need that turned his will to ash. He ached all over, especially his groin.

And in the face of that onslaught, Killua hadn’t succumbed. He was no ordinary bodyguard, with his incredible immunity to magic. He’d overcome Rose bare-handed, somehow making Rose his servant. How in all the heavens had that come about? Killua had uttered no word, cast no witch’s spell, yet somehow he’d turned Rose’s enchantment back on him. Gon couldn’t stop stealing glances at Killua. Was he descended from a god?

He had looked almost godlike, holding Rose with every muscle flexed. But he’d bled where Rose’s claws had torn him, and he’d flinched under the merciless cascade of Gon’s punches. His upper back bore horrific scars. He must once have survived something terrible.

Those scars weren’t visible now. Killua was already in his brais, slipping his under tunic back over his head with awkward, pained movements.

“I’m sorry,” Gon said, collecting his bandages from the ground. “Rose slashed your back, then I—made it worse. Did I break anything? Can I fix you up?”

“I’m sure nothing’s broken. Maybe later I’ll need fixing, but we should leave before anything can go wrong. I don’t want to take any chances.” Killua bent to pull his boots on. “Freecss…you’ve nothing to be sorry for. Everything that just happened—everything—was Rose’s fault. I’m sorry you had to kiss him first. You had no defence. That was very brave.”

“No. You were my defence.”

“Yes, but….” Killua paused. “Anyway, that’s my job. Are you okay now?”

“Yeah. Just hungry. Look, I know it’s your job, but you were amazing.”

Killua ducked his head. “It’s—training.” He dabbed at his mouth with his fingers.

He was minimising what he’d done. No way was it just training—it had to do with abilities he’d gained living among the Fae. Gon let it slide, since Killua never seemed to want to talk about that. Consideration was the least thanks he could give him. Was that blood on Killua’s chin? He’d literally fought Rose tooth and nail—his fingers were dark with blood.

Gon’s stomach gnawed as he laced and buckled his boots. Now Rose’s magic had gone, the need to eat had returned with a vengeance. A couple of apples lay near the well. Rose was no longer a threat. Surely they wouldn’t hurt. Beyond the orchard, it would be hard to find food in the night.

He collected them and returned to his satchel by the tree. But holding one to his mouth, he hesitated. What if one bite trapped him in the orchard, similar to food in tales? He pressed his lips together and slipped the apples into his satchel for later, one for each of them, to tide them over until dawn.

“Let’s go, Freecss,” Killua said, when they were both wearing their cloaks.

The foul stench from the cart met them at the gate. Gon stuck to Killua’s side and watched closely as Killua took the stick and pushed it into the hole at the centre of the gnarled knot of twigs.

“Ow!” Killua jerked his hand back. The key twisted in the hole and thorns pushed out along its length. The gate shuddered. The branches forming it creaked and unwove, opening a hole large enough for them to climb through one by one. “You first,” Killua said.

Gon grabbed Killua’s hand and stepped through, pulling Killua after him immediately, before the gate could change again and separate them. But nothing happened until they’d both passed through. Then, with a creaking protest, the gate rewove, barring them from returning.

They were free. Gon’s heart pounded to the throb of hundreds of frogs croaking. The moon glinted off the river to either side of the bridge. Trees lined the opposite bank, squatter than those of the forest, with a friendlier feel to them. The scent of mud overpowered the aroma of apples. “I don’t want to stop near the orchard,” he said. “Let’s put some distance between us and Rose.”

“Yeah—the village can’t be far, now there’s a road.”

The blood smeared around Killua’s mouth was clear in the uninterrupted moonlight streaming down onto the bridge. As they strode on into the tamer forest, Gon recalled Killua’s face angled behind Rose. “Did you bite the back of his neck? Is that how you mastered him?”

Killua shrugged. “It’s a trick I heard. I hoped it would work.”

Gon had never heard of such a thing. “When you were living with the Fae?”

“Yes. Look…I—didn’t think you were in a state to remember much about how I fought him. Would you mind not mentioning it to anyone?”

“That trick could help anyone who comes across an incubus.”

“It won’t work for everyone. They’ll get in trouble if they try.” Killua eyed him sideways. “Don’t you go trying it, if we run into another incubus.”

“It worked for you.”

“I’m not everyone. Freecss…” Killua’s air grew slightly desperate. “Please. Take my word on this. And don’t ask me about it anymore.”

Killua was very private, considering the trick itself appeared so basic. But, if this was what he wanted, of course he could have it. “Since it’s important to you,” Gon said. “You know, what you’ve done for me is already worth more than I can pay.”

“Don’t worry. Alissander is paying me, too.”

“Yes. And when we met, I realised you were good. But you’re right—you’re not everyone. If I’d hired someone else, I’d probably be dead. I want you to know, I feel lucky you’re with me.”

Killua didn’t reply at first, and Gon thought he wouldn’t. But then he said, “Well, I...I guess I’m lucky too. I could be travelling alone. But keeping you out of trouble is more fun.” He studied the forest to his other side.

Fun, after starving for days? And everything else their journey had put them through? That was one of the best compliments anyone had paid him. And Killua wasn’t trying to seek his royal favour. A warm feeling grew in Gon’s chest, giving him the extra energy to trudge over the next rise, and the next.

The road meandered through low, wooded hills to a timber bridge over a stream. He gripped the strap of his satchel and peered into the shadows among the trees. “I don’t see anyone here demanding payment.”

“Ha, no.” Killua slowed, inspecting the stream in both directions. “This looks like a good place to stop. I’ll bet there are fat fish I can catch. Can you make a fire?”

“Gods, yes.” The opposite bank looked good. He nodded towards it. “Over there—we’ll have rocks at our back. Is it safe enough to sleep here, do you think? Even if we make it to the village, anywhere we can take a room will be shut.”

“I expect it’s as safe as we’ll get in Aiai.”

They dropped their gear on a grassy ledge inside the protective curve of the boulders Gon had spied under an overhanging tree. Killua discarded his cloak and went down to the stream. He crouched on a flat rock, sleeves rolled up, and washed his hands and face.

Gon stayed within a stone’s throw as he gathered firewood, in case some new danger arrived. Killua’s fishing method was uncommon—he seemed intent on snatching whatever swam past. Gon considered offering him the line he kept in his satchel, but decided against it. Killua had sounded confident when he mentioned fishing. Gon left him alone and arranged the fire.

When he delved into his satchel to find his flint, his fingers brushed one of the apples. He pulled them both out. They hadn’t turned wormy, and now Rose was far behind.

“Hey, Freecss!” Killua called, holding up a flapping fish.

“Yes!” Gon grinned. Soon, they’d feast. Killua turned back to catch another, and Gon wasted no time lighting the fire.

As he leaned forward, blowing to coax the flames to life, the aroma from the apples caught his nostrils. It had been so long since he’d eaten, even longer ago than Killua. No need to wait anymore. The fire crackled, catching perfectly, casting a golden lustre on the apple he took. It had the perfect resistance to his grip, promising crisp and juicy flesh. He bit into it.

𝕏𝕏

Read Chapter 7

[softbramble]

haunting dreams (come alive)

🌙 killugon fic

🌙 6k words | multichapter

🌙 post-canon, aged up characters, time travel, hurt/comfort

🔗 https://archiveofourown.org/works/62174149/chapters/159041014

[realvicoba]

The awaited play chapter!

No summary or peak this time, get into this without an idea of what will happen. Enjoy!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/59495200/chapters/158673343#main