knight's Royal Duty || Gonkillu ||

Beg

Days passed, and though Gon's condition improved, he still hadn't woken. The war outside the camp raged on, but for Killua, the world had narrowed down to this small tent, to the fragile line between life and death that Gon was walking.

The guilt gnawed at Killua, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he had failed. Every time he looked at Gon, lying so still and pale, the weight of his failure pressed down on him.

But despite his exhaustion, despite the pain that lingered in his own body, Killua refused to leave Gon's side.

"Please," Killua whispered one night, his voice barely audible in the quiet tent. "Please wake up, Gon."

As if in response, Gon stirred, his fingers twitching slightly. Killua's breath caught in his throat, his heart racing with hope. He leaned closer, his voice trembling. "Gon...?"

Gon's eyelids fluttered, and for the first time in days, his eyes slowly opened.

"Killua?" Gon's voice was weak, barely a whisper, but it was enough to make Killua's heart soar with relief.

"You're awake," Killua breathed, his hands trembling as he reached for Gon's. "Thank God."

Gon's eyes, though heavy with exhaustion, found Killua's, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "I told you... I'm not going anywhere."

Tears welled in Killua's eyes, but this time, he didn't blink them away.

The weight of the world seemed to lift from Killua's shoulders as Gon's faint smile reached his eyes. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Killua allowed himself to feel relief. He squeezed Gon's hand, careful not to cause any more pain, and fought back the tears that threatened to spill.

"I thought I'd lost you," Killua whispered, his voice hoarse from days of worry. "You scared me half to death."

Gon's smile faltered slightly, his eyes filled with exhaustion and pain. "I'm sorry, Killua... I didn't mean to worry you."

Killua shook his head quickly. "Don't apologize. Just focus on getting better, okay?"

Gon's eyes softened, and he nodded slowly. "I will. But you need to rest too... You look like you haven't slept in days."

Killua laughed softly, though the sound was tinged with sadness. "I haven't."

"You should," Gon murmured, his voice growing weaker. "You can't take care of me if you're passing out from exhaustion."

Killua frowned, his heart aching at how frail Gon sounded. "I'll rest, but only after I know you're safe."

"I'm safe now," Gon said, his smile returning, though faint. "Because you're here."

Killua's chest tightened with emotion. He wanted to say so much, wanted to tell Gon how much it had hurt to see him like this, how much he had feared losing him. But now wasn't the time. Gon needed to recover, and Killua didn't want to burden him with his own guilt and fear.

"I'll stay here," Killua said softly, "but only if you promise to rest."

Gon nodded slightly, his eyes already fluttering shut again. "Deal."

As Gon drifted back into sleep, Killua stayed by his side, watching over him like a silent guardian. His heart ached with the weight of everything they had been through, but for now, Gon was safe. For now, they had survived.

But the war wasn't over, and deep down, Killua knew that their struggles were far from finished.

In the days that followed, Gon's condition steadily improved. The healers continued to monitor him closely, and although he was still weak, the worst of his injuries had begun to heal. He was awake more often now, his strength slowly returning, but the strain of the war remained ever-present between them.

Killua, despite the exhaustion gnawing at him, refused to leave Gon's side. He spent every waking hour by his friend's bed, talking to him, offering whatever comfort he could. But as much as Killua wanted to pretend that they could stay like this—safe and away from the battlefield—he knew the reprieve wouldn't last.

The war raged on outside the camp, and the enemy forces were growing bolder with each passing day. The camp was tense, the soldiers on high alert, and Killua could feel the inevitable pull of duty tugging at him. He couldn't stay by Gon's side forever, not when the kingdom was still at war.

One afternoon, while Gon was resting, a messenger entered the tent. He bowed quickly before speaking, his voice filled with urgency. "Prince Killua, your presence is requested by the command council."

Killua stiffened, the words slicing through the fragile peace he had found with Gon. "What's happening?"

"There's been a shift in the enemy's movements," the messenger explained. "The commanders believe they're preparing for a major offensive. They need you to assist in the strategy discussions."

Killua's heart sank. He had known this moment would come, but now that it was here, he wasn't ready to leave Gon's side. Not after everything they had been through.

He looked back at Gon, who was still asleep, his breathing steady but fragile. Killua's throat tightened, torn between his duty to the kingdom and his need to protect Gon.

The messenger shifted nervously, sensing Killua's hesitation. "The council needs you, Your Highness."

Killua took a deep breath, forcing himself to stand. "I'll be there."

As the messenger left, Killua turned back to Gon, his heart heavy with the weight of the decision he had to make. He leaned down, brushing a hand gently through Gon's hair.

"I'll be back," Killua whispered. "I promise."