Chapter Text
The path ran out sooner than Killua expected.
“I told you it would stop,” Gon said in a whine as Killua gaped in disbelief and horror. “Why are you so surprised?”
“I—I just…I didn’t think it would happen so soon.”
“How soon is soon?”
“Soon is—”
Killua stopped. Because he actually didn’t know how soon was soon. It seemed like he had left the tree behind a short while ago, but how much time had actually passed?
He shrugged off his backpack and dropped to his knees. Gon hovered above, floating over him like a large bat while Killua pushed aside the various food items he’d started collecting not too long ago.
Gon asked curiously, “What’re you looking for?”
“My phone. I tried calling Alluka when I found she was missing but she might have reached out again. Also I need to know what time it is.”
Gon clicked his tongue with disapproval. “Technology doesn’t work in Wonderland, Ki-llu-a. I told you that, too.”
“I know. But I still want to check.”
Finally, he pulled out his phone. The battery had been full when he left the house but now when he pressed the power button, a distorted mess lit up his screen.
Killua stared. Had it broken or was it the nature of the land like Gon suggested? Regardless, he couldn’t unlock it to get to his apps, much less tell what time it was. He’s not sure he would have been able to tell if Alluka called, either.
“See?” Gon said. “It won’t work. Wonderland doesn’t operate with the same rules as where you came from.”
Killua gritted his teeth, dropping the phone back into his backpack. “How does Wonderland operate, then? Because I need to find Alluka and you told me she was on this path! What am I going to do now to find her?”
“You can use me.”
Killua looked at him sharply. Gon floated back down to the ground, landing so lightly that his feet made no sound.
“I mean it, Killua!” Gon chirped when Killua stared at him. “I told you when we reunited that you smelled like Alluka. So I can guide you to exactly where she is.”
Gon’s not lying—no one can lie in Wonderland. But it’s not a question of truth. It’s a matter of cost. Because that was another Wonderland rule. Nothing was given for nothing.
After a pause, Killua asked, “And what do you want from me in return?”
“Nothing big.”
“I doubt that.”
Gon pouted. “You have so little faith in me? I’ve helped you so far!”
“Telling me which fruit to eat is very different from taking me the rest of the way to my sister. You said that the cost of favors has to equal the cost of the desire. And I want nothing more than to find Alluka. So what is the price equivalent of that?”
Gon’s lips curled. “You always were so smart, Killua. Okay, I’ll tell you. I want you to promise to stay with me.”
Killua frowned. That didn’t seem too bad. He wasn’t too keen on being separated from Gon, either. Not after they’d only just reunited. Killua’s priority was Alluka but he couldn’t deny the longing he still felt pulsing under his skin for this long lost childhood friend, even if he’d been twisted and chanced by this strange landscape.
But nothing was as it seemed. Gon’s request couldn’t be entirely innocent.
“For how long?”
“Hmm?”
“For how long do you want me to stay with you?”
Gon laughed. “Well, forever of course!”
Killua’s blood turned to ice. Forever? As in, all eternity?
“Why do you look so scared, Killua?” Gon stepped closer, head tilted. “We said we would always be friends. This isn’t so different.”
“Gon, it’s—it’s totally different. How could you not see that?”
“Because it’s not different at all. I always wanted us to be together, even when we were kids. I would have married you, you know? But I can’t leave here. So let’s just both stay in Wonderland instead.”
Killua closed his eyes, curling his fingers on his backpack. Gon’s words shouldn’t cause warmth to bloom in his chest. The idea of marriage with the only person he’d ever liked shouldn’t make him so happy. Not when he was on a rescue mission to save his sister and this request would only serve to trap him here.
“Killua?”
Letting out a long breath, Killua said, “I can’t accept that. I can’t abandon Alluka.”
“You wouldn’t, though! We’ll find Alluka and she can stay with us too.”
“And if she wants to go back to the real world? What then?”
“Then we bring her back to the entrance, simple!”
“And if I want to go back to the real world?”
Gon’s smile fell. The light faded from his eyes. “You…You can’t do that. I can’t go back there. So you have to stay here. With me.”
Killua didn’t like the dark look on Gon’s face. He didn’t like the seriousness of his tone. He didn’t like his deal. How could Killua bring Alluka back home and give her the life he’d promised upon rescuing her from their family if he was stuck here with Gon?
But he wouldn’t be able to find Alluka at all without Gon’s help. Even with the path guiding him, he’d needed Gon’s assistance. Now without the path, Killua would undoubtedly get lost without ever seeing Alluka again.
So he had to give Gon what he wanted while also leaving his options open. He couldn’t lie but that didn’t mean honesty and truth were black and white, either.
“Alright,” Killua said at last and Gon perked up. “I…I promise. I promise we'll be together forever if you lead me to Alluka and bring us back to the Wonderland entrance. Okay?”
The joy on Gon’s face was unparalleled. And when Gon rushed forward to throw his arms around, Killua shoved down the swell of guilt in his chest.
He cared about Gon. Unquestioningly. But Alluka had to come first.