choco robot ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

"master killua, we've been waiting for you." you and killua stood outside the butlers' quarters, the dim glow of lanterns barely pushing back the night. gotoh was the one who opened the door when you arrived, greeting killua with a respectful nod before shifting his gaze to you. his face remained impassive, but there was something unreadable in his eyes.

the sky above was deep and endless, the night biting at its edges. when killua had returned from speaking with silva, fully dressed and carrying a backpack. there was a wide grin on his face as he turned to you, excitement practically radiating off him. 

"gon, kurapika, and leorio are here," he said, barely able to contain his enthusiasm. 

unlike you, they weren’t welcomed as visitors. you hadn’t even known they were here, but killua did. the butlers had informed them.

"gotoh, where’s gon now? you do know, right?" killua asked, his voice expectant. like him, you were eager to see gon again. the thought of reuniting with him brought a quiet anticipation that settled warmly in your chest. 

"canary is bringing gon here, along with his two friends," gotoh replied, his tone neutral as ever. 

killua’s grin widened. he truly looked like a kid again, excitement dancing in his blue eyes. you couldn't help but mirror his expression, his joy rubbing off on you. 

"they should arrive shortly, so please wait inside," gotoh continued, stepping aside and gesturing for you both to enter. 

as you moved past him, you caught the butler's lingering gaze. his sharp features gave away nothing, but you had a feeling he was observing you more closely than before. 

killua turned to you, his small smile still in place. 

"let’s go," he said. you nodded and followed him inside. another butler stood at the ready, holding a tea set with precise care. before going any further, killua paused and glanced back at gotoh. 

"let me know the second gon gets here," he instructed. 

gotoh dipped his head slightly, closing his eyes. "yes, sir. i shall notify you immediately." 

killua didn’t reply, already tugging you along behind him as he followed the other butler deeper into the quarters. 

gotoh remained where he was, watching you both disappear down the hall. his fingers twitched slightly at his side, the only sign of his unease. 

"i'm sorry, master killua," he thought, his brows furrowing just the slightest bit. 

just yesterday, he had been informed of your engagement to illumi zoldyck. a soon-to-be addition to the family he had sworn to serve. 

so why were you here, by killua’s side? was it by illumi’s command, or were things far more complicated than they seemed?

the butler led you and killua upstairs to an empty room, furnished with a table and plush couches. atop the table sat a few small, unfamiliar boxes. 

without hesitation, killua tossed his backpack onto one of the couches before plopping down beside it. his hands immediately went to the boxes, rummaging through them until he uncovered their contents—chocolates. 

"mama, you want one?" he asked, already chewing on a piece as he handed you a box. 

you accepted it, carefully peeling it open while examining the shape inside. was this supposed to be… a smiling robot? 

before you could take a bite, killua’s voice broke the moment. 

"i've been meaning to ask, mama. how did you get in here?" 

you knew that question was coming. and as much as you could twist the truth, lying to killua didn’t sit right with you. you exhaled.

"just don't be mad at mama. i came here with illumi. he took me." his eyes widened as he leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. you sat across from him, watching his expression shift from curiosity to disbelief. 

"with illumi?! how did you even get him to agree to bring you here in the first place?" you shook your head.

"he’s the one who suggested it. i was with him until he left for a mission." killua stared at you as if you had just sprouted a second head.

"you should stay away from him, mama. he's never been good news." you merely nodded. not that you had any intention of seeing illumi again if you could help it. 

"but why would illumi offer to take you here, knowing you're here to retrieve me?" killua muttered, rubbing his chin in thought, his other hand still clutching the box of chocolates. 

you hummed, biting into one. it was sweet—good thing you liked sweets. 

"and oh, we kissed in the car."

"really? illumi isn't the type to just— wait, you what?!" 

killua’s shout nearly made you drop your chocolate. he shot up from his seat, hands slamming against the table as his face contorted in sheer horror. 

"we kissed. he kissed me on the airship too. i wasn’t expecting it, but the one in the car, i was exp—" 

"w-wait, stop! stop talking!" killua waved his hands frantically, his expression twisted in exaggerated distress. 

"w-why would you tell me that, mama?! i-it's so weird! you're my mother—well, not biologically, but still! and he's my older brother! why would illumi—ugh—kiss you?!" 

you tilted your head, pressing a finger to your lips. "is it bad? i’m telling you because you’re my son and you're important to me. i shall not leave any details behind." 

killua groaned, collapsing back onto the couch, his face buried in his hands. 

"i'm pretty sure you're illumi's first kiss. it’s still so weird for me, though… but i guess it’s not a taboo or anything, since we’re not blood-related," he mumbled, sighing in resignation. 

you stood up and walked to his side, wrapping your arms around him. 

the white-haired boy stiffened, his cheeks warming as his face ended up pressed against your chest. he pouted but made no move to push you away. instead, he let out a small sigh as you gently ran your fingers through his hair. 

"are you upset with mama?" you asked softly. "but i won't kiss illumi again… hmm, though his kisses were good." 

killua let out an exasperated groan, making you chuckle. you were just teasing—well, mostly. 

"i'm not mad, mama. just weirded out. but it’s illumi's fault..." he muttered, trailing off into silence. 

you stayed like that for a moment, holding him close as you continued to run your fingers through his hair. 

killua wanted to say how glad he was that you came. that you, gon, kurapika, and leorio had come to save him. but maybe… not now. 

then, as if fate wanted to add another layer of chaos, you casually dropped another bomb. 

"oh, and killua, illumi told your parents that i'm his fiancée. i'm afraid everyone in this estate knows and believes it."  

"…oh, dang it."

    ┌ ╌ ╌ ╌ ╌  ㅤ °ㅤㅤ 𝒪𝒪.   .ㅤ     ╭◜
      *       ㅤ            ㅤ                              ╎
ㅤ         ㅤ           to be continuedㅤ       ❀

a/n : here’s a short update since i got a little free time after hours of reviewing.