It was a rare quiet day in Kukuroo Mountain. The clouds clung lazily to the peaks, and the trees swayed in the breeze like they had all the time in the world.

That morning, Killua had been uncharacteristically upbeat — enough to invite Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika to the Zoldyck residence.

“Don’t get too excited,” he warned them as they passed through the massive gates. “It’s not exactly… welcoming.”

“Come on,” Gon grinned, bouncing on his heels. “I’ve wanted to see where you grew up for ages!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Killua muttered, but his smirk gave him away.

The four of them made their way through the estate, with Killua pointing out different areas — the training yard where he first broke his fingers on purpose.

the underground cells he was told not to show them (so of course he did), and the long, winding hall where portraits of dead Zoldycks lined the wall like eerie reminders.

It was fine. Quiet. Until Killua walked too close to a certain door and accidentally let his shoulder bump the frame. Your door…

He froze, eyes widening. “…Crap.”

Gon blinked. “What’s in there?” Killua winced. “My older sibling’s room. They’re… uh… not a morning person.”

Leorio checked his watch. “Killua. It’s five in the afternoon.”

“Exactly.”

The door creaked open.

You stood in the doorway, hair a mess, eyes sharp even through the half-lidded irritation. The blanket you had wrapped around your shoulders dragged slightly behind you like a cape.

Killua immediately stepped behind Gon like a coward. “It was an accident! I—look, they wanted to see the house!”

You gave the group a once-over. Gon waved hesitantly. Leorio offered a nervous thumbs up. Kurapika simply nodded in greeting, though his hand was suspiciously near his chain ring.

Then Gon, trying to save the situation, smiled brightly. “It’s nice to meet you! Killua’s told us… well, not much, but it’s cool you live here too!”