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Why would someone like him, prince of the sun, radiant with joy, endlessly optimistic, always full of life.. be so drawn to someone like me?
I’ve always seen myself as more of a loner. I keep to myself, stay in the shadows, and move forward quietly. There’s nothing remarkable about me. or at least- I hope there isn’t. I have a large family, sure, but it always feels… empty. Distant. Like we’re all just waiting for a reason to walk away from one another. Honestly, if someone offered one of my relatives a pile of money in exchange for cutting ties, they probably wouldn’t think twice.
Around here, no one has your back. No one can be trusted. That’s just how things are. I am Killua Zoldyck. prince of the moon, heir to its dim light and quiet darkness. And recently, my parents attended a meeting with the king of the sun. Accompanied by him was his child. He looked about the same age as I was. My parents brought me along with them to the meeting to learn more about how they handled business around here. I assume that boy was also dragged along here as well. He didn’t look the happiest. I sat in silence, watching as our parents spoke. Something about daylights savings? When i finally got uninterested and turned away, i noticed he was looking at me, curious. When he saw me stare back he didn’t look away. Instead, he smiled.
“Whats your name?”
“Killua. Killua Zoldyck. You?”
“Gon Freeces!”
“Im twelve. Im guessing you are too?”
He says while tilting his head.
I nod, “correct” i say while smiling.
The green haired boy paused to stare at my outfit. It was picked out just for me by a few maids. It was formal, and stylish, while also comfortable and sleek. I had managed to sneak a bit of my own personality into the outfit by adding a small pin of my favorite character of a show i had started. Mouth open, Gon finally began to speak.
“Is that-“
I quickly clasped my hand around the metal of the pin. The coolness contrasting my sweaty hands, “it’s.. nothing !”
Gon smiled. “No, no- i love that show!”
“What… really?”
My hand stopped clenching the pin and a wave of relief came over me. If he liked the show too then I’m sure he wouldn’t think I’m weird for wearing it.
Gon nodded happily. “Are you kidding? I’ve seen every episode! Im just starting to rewatch it!”
His excitement was contagious. I felt my shoulders relax just a little. “I didn’t think anyone else watched it. My siblings say it’s for kids.”
“Well, we are kids,” he said, grinning
“What’s wrong with liking something fun?”
I couldn’t argue with that. It was a strange feeling. being understood so quickly. I’d only just met him, and already he felt easier to talk to than anyone I knew.
We talked more after that. About the show, about how boring royal meetings were, about how heavy formal clothes felt when you were stuck in them too long. Our parents voices slowly turned into nothing but background noise.
At one point, Gon leaned in closer and whispered, “Wanna sneak out?”
I blinked. “Seriously?”
He gave me a mischievous grin, eyes sparkling with sunlight. “Seriously. There’s a courtyard behind this building. I saw it on the way in. Full of trees and fountains. Way more interesting than whatever this is.”
I hesitated, but only for a second. Then I nodded. “Lead the way.”
We crept out together, unnoticed. The guards were too busy pretending to be statues, and the adults were too deep in talks of light, darkness and time changes to care. We slipped through a side door and ran across polished marble halls, trying not to laugh as our footsteps echoed behind us. When we made it outside, the change hit me all at once. The air was warmer, lighter. The sun still stayed bright, casting soft light across the trees. Gon threw his arms up and spun in a circle, like he was soaking it in.
“Isn’t it amazing?” he asked.
I looked around. It was… nice. Peaceful. And brighter than anything I was used to. I preferred shadows, the comfort of moonlight. But standing here, next to him, it didn’t feel so overwhelming.
“Yeah,” I said quietly. “It kind of is.”
We sat under a tree and talked until our shadows grew longer. He told me stories about his travels with his dad, about catching fish the size of small boats and climbing cliffs just for the view. I listened, half in disbelief, half in awe. His world sounded like a dream. And somehow, he made it feel like I could be part of it too.
After a while, he turned to me and said, “You’re not like I expected.”
“What do you mean?”
“I dunno. I thought moon royalty would be cold. Quiet. Kinda creepy.” He giggled. “But you’re cool. I like talking to you.”
I didn’t know what to say. I just looked at him for a long second, then finally replied, “You’re not what I expected either.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I thought sun royalty would be.. i dunno bright, loud, and annoying.”
We both burst out laughing.
As the sun began to dip, I realized something. I’d never had a friend before. Not a real one. Not someone who saw me, the real me and didn’t flinch or look away.
But maybe… maybe Gon was different.
Maybe, in a world split between light and dark, day and night, sun and moon… some things weren’t meant to be separated.
Some things were meant to meet halfway.
And maybe, just maybe…
That’s where I belonged.
With him.