Chapter Text
Christmas. Traditionally, Christmas is something you spend with family. You exchange gifts, reconnect with distant cousins, so on so forth. It’s supposed to be a time to celebrate the joy of life with people you love. But young Killua Zoldyck did not have that luxury. His family wasn’t like most others. The only gift he ever received for Christmas was a new blade from his father, followed by a grueling endurance test in below freezing temperatures. It was not until a few years ago that Killua discovered that the life of a cold killer wasn’t for him. On that fateful day, a very special person, the first person he could ever call a friend, entered his life. Gon Freecss was his name, and on their travels to become stronger together, they grew close enough that Killua could have even called him family. Now, however, it occurred to Killua that that special person had left his life just as quickly.
Now that Killua had to look after his sister Alluka, he assumed it was only natural that he didn’t have time to get in touch with Gon. It had been a few months since they said their goodbyes, and it was only in recent weeks that their regular e-mails to each other had almost ceased. Still, he couldn’t brush off the nagging feeling that there was some deeper reason they hadn’t talked to each other in so long. He remembered, in his world-shaking battle against the Chimera Ants, after the death of their mentor, Kite, the hurtful things Gon had said to him while his mind was clouded by his need for vengeance.
“You have it easy, Killua. You're perfectly calm, since it means nothing to you…” That was not true. Kite was as much Killua’s master as Gon’s. He had been by his side for so long and vowed to protect Gon with his life, only to be told it didn’t concern him. Suddenly, the light that perpetuated from Gon faded from Killua’s view. He had told Gon he forgave him, but still...something was missing. Killua brushed these unpleasant thoughts aside. He glanced out the window of his lofty hotel room and saw the first flakes of snow in the season began to fall. It was Christmas, and the streets and sidewalks below were empty aside from a few holiday shoppers. At least Killua had Alluka to celebrate the holiday with, but he didn’t quite know where to start.
***
“Man, we’ve never really been big on holidays,” mused Killua. He turned to his younger sister. “What do you feel like doing? It’s your call.”
“I’m happy as long as I get to spend it with my big brother,” Alluka smiled. “We still have to get gifts for our friends, though.” Killua groaned in response.
“It’s impossible. I don’t know what Kurapika and Leorio would want because they’re too busy doing their own thing, plus I don’t exactly know their home addresses.”
“What about something for Gon?” She saw Killua tense up a little at her question. She knew things had been uneasy between them lately, and that it might be a sensitive issue, but she brought it up anyway. Alluka couldn’t stand to see that her brother wasn’t completely enjoying the holiday.
There was a few seconds of silence before Killua answered. “I--I would, but…” he sighed dejectedly, “...what if he doesn’t want a present from me?”
“That’s nonsense, big brother! I’m sure he misses you very much! He’s probably busy like you are!” When she saw that Killua was still doubting her words, she added, “in fact, I say we go visit him for the holidays!”
Killua was almost outraged. “Are you crazy?! We’re gonna waste a trip to Whale Island’s worth of money to find out he wants nothing to do with me?!” Alluka slapped him lightly in response.
“Get those thoughts out of your head! Who was it who broke down the gates of our family’s mansion because he wanted to be your friend?”
“That was ages ago,” he scoffed skeptically. “People change, Alluka. It’s been three weeks and I’ve heard nothing from him. Face it, he hates me.”
“Tell me then, big brother.” Alluka’s voice had become uncharacteristically serious. “Will you change? Will there ever be a time when you won’t protect me?” Alluka saw him react and knew she had won.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he answered, “Never. But--”
“Well if Gon does hate you, there’s only one way to find out,” his sister interrupted, and with that, Killua accepted that he couldn’t change her mind. “We’ll go to Whale Island and find out for ourselves. And you will buy a gift at least. Besides, you’re a Hunter. You have money.”
“Fine, fine, you win,” Killua appealed. “Let’s buy ourselves some tickets…”