knight's Royal Duty || Gonkillu ||

Found

Two days after Killua's disappearance, Gon made his way to the forest. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the dense trees as he navigated the familiar path to the cabin. His heart raced as he approached the clearing, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement.

And then, he saw him.

Killua was sitting on the steps of the cabin, his silver hair catching the fading light. His shoulders were slumped, his expression distant, as though he were lost in thought. Gon felt a wave of relief wash over him, but also a surge of guilt. Killua had been alone for two days, stewing in his anger and frustration, and Gon had let him down by not being there.

"Killua," Gon called softly as he stepped into the clearing.

Killua's head snapped up, his eyes widening in surprise. For a moment, they stared at each other in silence, the tension between them heavy. Then Killua's expression hardened, and he looked away, his jaw tight.

"I told you not to follow me," Killua muttered, his voice cold.

"I had to," Gon replied, stepping closer. "The guards are looking for you. I couldn't let them find you first."

Killua's fists clenched in his lap, and for a moment, Gon thought he might push him away again. But then Killua let out a shaky breath, his anger deflating. "I didn't know what else to do, Gon. I just—everything feels like it's closing in on me."

Gon sat down beside him, keeping a respectful distance. "I know. And I get why you ran. But this isn't the way to fix it."

Killua shook his head, his voice breaking slightly. "Then what is? Because I'm tired of living like this, Gon. I'm tired of being her puppet."

Gon's heart ached at the raw emotion in Killua's voice. He wanted to tell him that everything would be okay, that they would find a way to stop the queen's control without tearing the kingdom apart. But he knew it wasn't that simple.

"We'll figure it out," Gon said softly. "Together. But running away won't solve anything. And if you try to fight her head-on, she'll crush you."

Killua looked at him, his silver eyes filled with uncertainty. For a long moment, they sat in silence, the weight of the past few days hanging between them.

Finally, Killua sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I don't know what to do anymore."

Gon reached out, placing a hand on Killua's arm, his voice steady and sure. "We'll find another way. But you have to trust me."

Killua looked down at Gon's hand, then back up at him. Slowly, he nodded, the fire in his eyes dimming but not extinguished. "Alright. But I'm not going back to her. Not yet."

Gon smiled faintly. "We don't have to. Let's just take it one step at a time."

They sat together in the fading light, the tension between them easing as the darkness of the forest surrounded

"I just don't want this arranged marriage!" Killua's voice broke as the words tumbled out, his anger giving way to quiet, defeated sobs. He couldn't bear the thought of it—the life that was being forced upon him, a future he had no say in. But more than that, there was someone else he wanted to be with. Someone who mattered far more than any political alliance. Someone who was sitting right in front of him. But he kept that truth locked away, out of fear. Fear of losing Gon's trust. Fear of ruining everything they had.

Gon watched as Killua's defiance crumbled, his prince looking smaller than usual, vulnerable in a way he rarely let anyone see. With a soft smile, Gon reached out, his thumb gently wiping away Killua's tears.