Guardian

Pointing at the white tank top, you reasoned it would be better for its thinner, more breathable material than the sleeveless turtleneck. Taking your word for it, Gon folded the shirt neatly and placed it on top of an extra pair of shorts in his bag. You noticed how he didn’t try to stuff it in like he did with his other clothes. Good to know your lecture worked.

Glancing up at the sound of a door knob turning, Mito walked in quietly. You frowned, eyeing the way her lips pressed tightly together and the fabric of her skirt bundled up into her clenched fists. She looked nervous, her face resembling that of someone cornered into confronting a situation they didn’t want to acknowledge.

Mito didn’t come here to help.

You overheard her talking the other day about how she didn’t think Gon was ready to take the exam. She wrestled with the idea of convincing Gon into staying on the island for a few more years; her grandmother tried to dissuade her, but you supposed it hadn’t worked.

You understood her concern - he was one of the last few family members she still had contact with after all - but it was unnecessary. Gon was crafty and a lot more resourceful than people believed. He’d be fine, especially with you there to protect him. Too bad his stubborn aunt couldn’t be that easily convinced.

You just hoped they didn’t get mad at each other.

Placing your hands on Gon’s shoulders, he looked up at you with furrowed eyes. “[Name]? What’s wrong?”

You ignored him in favor of taking a glance at Mito, grimacing at the expression on her face. She never did like hearing about you, but never tried to stop him from talking to you. Gon took notice and, being his considerate self, steered clear of it whenever he could. You did the same, staying quiet when Mito came into the room or shut Gon down anytime he began to mention you - gently, of course, you didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

He tried convincing her in the beginning that she should give you a chance, that you were a great person he admired deeply, but she wasn’t having any of it. Mito didn’t believe him. Not a surprise there considering she didn’t believe Gon’s father either.

”Just as i thought... you are just like Ging.” She sighed and looked away, composing herself for what may be a difficult conversation. You knew she expected a fight to break out as they always have when someone bring you up. “Gon. We need to talk about something. Something very important.”

Catching the serious edge in her tone, he stopped searching for his towel - the one with frogs embroidered on the hem as a gift from you to him for his 12th birthday - and turned around to give his full attention to his aunt. “Yes, Mito-san?”

”I let you hold onto them because I believed they brought you comfort, but its impossible to rely on them! They can’t protect you from danger because they won’t be there. The only one that will keep you safe is yourself. You have to know, to understand...” She squeezed her eyes tight, placing a hand on her chest as she spit out her next words, “[Name]. Is. Not. Real!“

He immediately got ready to retaliate given how the teen stood straight up, his shoulders set in determination, hazel eyes flashing with an emotion you didn’t quite want to pinpoint.

Smiling sadly, you cut in by placing a hand over Gon’s, stopping him approaching Mito. It may be a long time before he sees her again, they shouldn’t fight.

”Don’t, Gon. Just agree with her. I don’t want you two to become so bitter over something so insignificant.”

He looked reluctant, opening his mouth to protest but shut it when you carefully pried his fingers away from his palm, loosening his fist, as you shook your head.

”I know I’m real. You know I’m real. That’s enough, I don’t need anything else.”

Mito stayed quiet the entire time, watching carefully from the sidelines as Gon wrestled between listening to you or defending you, most likely realizing he needed time to “come to terms” with you being imaginary.

Gon finally came to a decision. He deflated, defeated eyes casting downward, lips pulling into a tight frown as he relented, not enjoying the though of arguing with Mito either. He faced his aunt.

”...okay, Mito-San. [Name] isn’t real. I just-“ He glanced at you for help, struggling to find a lie that wouldn’t make him feel too guilty.

The sadness evaporated instantaneously, warmth spreading through your body from the reminder of how sweet this boy could be. Coming to his aid, you whispered what you wanted him to say.

In a voice quiet enough it nearly shocked you and Mito, a self-deprecating undertone you’ve never witnessed before, Gon recited what you said word for word. “I was lonely here. There never were many kids and [Name] kept me company. I’ve had them for so long, I was too scared to let them go.” With the way his emotions saturated your (his, they were his now, weren’t they?) words, you weren’t quite sure whether this was a lie anymore.  “But you’re right. I can’t pretend anymore.”

Mito softened, a shadow of regret passing through her face, it clearing before Gon could notice.  Sighing with relief, tears appearing in her eyes, she walked towards Gon and pulled him into a tight hug, one arm wrapped around his shoulder, her other hand threading through his dark hair. “That’s all I wanted to hear you say.”

Gon returned the hug and they stayed like that for a few relaxed moments, basking in their momentary ceasefire.

Lingering in the background, you frowned, flexing your fingers.

It-it’s been a while, hasn’t it?

A brief memory of a woman’s soft touch, her beautifully baritone voice soothing a child (young, so young) as they (you) cried in her arms flashed through your mind and though you tried (you’ve been trying so hard and for so long), they slipped through your fingers, disappearing to a place you can’t follow.

You wondered if you would ever win this maddening race and finally, finally gain something more than a bare wisp of the life you used to have.

Time snapped back into place as Mito let go of Gon and ruffled his hair, making him laugh. “Goodnight, you’ll need to rest for the exams.”

Moving aside so Mito didn’t walk through your intangible form, your eyes picked up on how light she looked. It’s strange. You’re used to the way she held herself, shoulders weighed down by the guilt of lying to the child she loved so dearly. To see her now, standing tall, a bounce in her step that hadn’t been there before, it almost made you feel-

“[Name]?” Gon called and you turned to see him looking at you, hints of concern displayed across his face.

You smiled, skipping over to his side and lightly bonking his head. “No time to waste! We still have to grab a first aid kit, and weren’t you looking for your towel?”

Gon’s excitement for tomorrow immediately wiped  away any traces of concern and he whipped around to continue rummaging through his drawer, boisterously talking about what kinds of places he wanted to visit after the hunter exam.

Chuckling lightly, you crossed the room so you could help him finish getting ready. At the rate he was going, the sun would rise before he found everything.

You tossed out ideas of where his towel might be when suddenly, he gasped, sprinting over to his closet and pulling out a box. Tossing the lid, he laughed the moment he caught sight of what was inside. Unraveling the item, he held it up, admiring the way the green stitching that almost seemed to shimmer in the light.

You bottom lip wavered because - because he looked so happy to see your shitty gift.

It had taken you ages to collect enough money to buy the necessary materials, lots of trial and error learning how to sew, an exhausting amount of energy willing yourself to be tangible enough to even do any of it in the first place. Knowing he appreciated your little frogs with their wonky eyes and too big heads made you sniffle softly.

He really was a good kid.

Wiping your eyes, you kneeled down next to Gon, laying your head against his shoulder. He grinned widely, wiggling a bit so you were more comfortable before returning to his task of looking for more things to bring along. Closing your eyes, you listened to his quiet humming with a miniscule smile.

Maybe it’s okay you don’t have anything from your old life. You could make new memories here, with Gon.

Yeah, that sounds nice.