Guardian

You tapped on the floorboards - or, well, not really, you weren’t capable of touching anything; they just passed through the wood if you didn’t pay attention which you didn’t care enough to at the moment - from where you sat on the ground, watching Mito fly from one side of the kitchen to the other, desperately trying to make this last breakfast with Gon perfect. You found it amusing how she deemed it necessary to pile the plates high with an unfathomable amount of tortilla, eggs, chorizos, and more. Yes, Gon ate quite a bit but not even he could put down that much food.

“Really, Mito, you’re only going to tire yourself out,” you said, a smile pulling at your lips while you rested your chin in your palm. She, of course, didn’t respond.

A loud thump caught both yours and Mito’s attention.  With a huff, she shook her head and shouted at Gon to quiet down. You only chuckled, knowing he had fallen out of bed as he tended to do every now and then.

Based on the noises happening on the other side of the house, Gon seemed to be scrambling to get ready. Since he didn’t call your name, you stayed where you were watching Mito, her grandmother joining a few seconds later.

“I wonder how much longer she’s going to do this,” you remarked as Gon stepped into the room, his jacket and bag slung over his shoulder. He gave you a curious look before heading out to place his boots and bag by the door for later. When he walked back in, you continued. “Mito’s been cooking for the past two hours. She’s trying her best to make this perfect. There’s even some quesadilla in the oven and she never makes that.”

He hummed lightly, quietly greeting his great grandmother with a kiss and taking a seat next to her. “How did you sleep?” Taking a brief glance at Mito and assuring her back was turned, he flashed you a bright grin and a pair of thumbs up. “That’s good.”

Mito grabbed another bowl from the cabinet and piled it high with various fruits she recently cut up. Taking it into her hand and a jug filled with water, she turned around only to yelp with surprise, the items almost falling if it wasn’t for Gon’s chair flying back with a screech, him bounding over in less than a second to take them both into his owns hands before they could drop to the floor.

”Gon! Don’t scare me like that, I didn’t know you were there,” Mito chastised. He just laughed, apologizing as he placed the bowl and jug on the table.

”For a young boy with such a big personality, he can be very quiet when he needs to be.”

Mito huffed, but didn’t refute her statement instead focusing her attention back on Gon. “Have you said buenos dias to your Abuelita?”

He nodded his head, giving her that empty grin. Mito stared him down, giving him a look. Not understanding what she was getting at, Gon continued to smile at her. You snorted, eventually taking pity. “You’re supposed to do the same to her.”

He furrowed his brows, muttering inaudibly to everyone but you, “do the same to...” His eyes widened and he rushed to plant a kiss on her cheek, cheerily saying, “Buenos dias!”

Mito frowned at him, placing her hands on her hips. “I’ll let you off for today, but,” she took his cheek between her fingers, pulling at them as she said, ”don’t forget next time!”

She let go and he immediately rubbed at the sore spot, whining quietly. “Go sit down now. I’ll join in a second.” Doing as she said, he grabbed a plate and filled it with food, but waited for Mito, pulling his great grandmother into a conversation as he did so.

For the rest of breakfast it stayed like that - a light-hearted affair to combat the melancholic atmosphere that will appear later when Gon had to say his goodbyes.

Sighing quietly, you finally stood up from your spot, waving away Gon’s inquisitive look.

Taking a step outside, you frowned up at the sun. It’s sunny today which - which was good! That’s very good! You just...

Was it selfish to wish for clouds? The sun and rain and snow and so many other weather elements just reinforced the fact that you weren’t, well, you anymore. That you couldn’t feel the warmth of the sun, the sting of hail, the bitter frostiness of snow. That you lost so much in the past, things you can’t - and maybe never will - remember.

But with clouds...you shook your head, a wistful smile on your face as you turned away from the sun to watch a few kerbunnies awkwardly gallop by. The clouds hid the sun, took away the reminder that you should be able to feel it against your skin. Like this, you could pretend you were just hanging out at a friend’s house and could easily walk a few blocks to where your family waited at home any time you wanted.

Mito stepping onto the porch pulled you from your musings and you tossed her a gentle smile. “Hello, Mito. It’s a nice day, isn’t it?”

She sighed quietly, eyes downcast, resting her hand on the railing.

You faltered.

“I’m sorry. I could have stopped it, ya know. Taken care of the bearfox myself, but...” Walking so you could stand next to her, you leaned your back on the wood Gon’s ancestor made, tracing the marks Ging, Gon, and several others left behind over the years.

“I’m selfish. I don’t want to be stuck here any longer. I want - I want to see Ging again,” your voice nearly cracked and you shut your eyes as a way to compose yourself.

“Gon will be safe, I promise. I mean, Ging is still alive so you know I keep my promises because, let me tell ya, he was an absolute wreck half the time.” You took a moment to reminisce of past adventures before turning to look Mito in the face. “I will do everything in my power to bring Gon back home to you.”

She blinked, looking around in confusion. Opening her mouth to say something, she quickly snapped it closed when Gon opened the door behind you. Turning, Mito gave him a small smile. “Are you ready?” He nodded eagerly and she ushered him out in front of him; you stayed where you were, watching from a distance as they said their goodbyes, giving them the privacy they needed.

”Gon is a good kid. I believe we have you to thank for that.”

You blinked, startled before a laugh sprung out from deep within your chest. Almost an entire century and she’s never indicated any hint she knew of your existence. The Freecs never failed to amuse.

”Don’t give me all the credit. Mito is an excellent caregiver. We can’t forget about your stories and lessons you teach to Gon.”

She didn’t respond to your comment, never taking her eyes off the duo several meters away. “I’ve seen the way he talks to you. Very similar to Ging.” You stilled, your laughter fading into the breeze that brushed through her hair and the wind chimes that hung nearby.

Giving a quick shudder, you glanced down to see your hands had attempted to curl around the railing but passed straight through, the uncomfortable sensation keeping you from slipping into a place you rarely enjoyed visiting.

“You’ve been with us for quite some time, haven’t you? Mito’s noticed but, oh, she’s frightened of the unknown. Always has been.” You chuckled lightly, an image of her screaming about a ghost in her room and her mother rushing inside just to find out it was nothing but the wind coming to mind.

“But I knew. Not as early as I would have liked, but I eventually figured it out. You’ve taken very good care of him.” Gon’s great-grandmother - Loriel, you remind yourself. You should say her name, it’s only right - turned in your general direction, but her eyes looked up too high, too far to the right for it to be possible that she could actually see you. “I’m sure this won’t need to be asked, but, well, it can never hurt to be cautious with your kind. Will you continue to take care of Gon for us? Watch over him and bring him home safe? That’s all I wish to ask.”

You snort, rubbing your hand to get rid of the pins and needles. “I already promised Mito but, yes, I will.” Eyes softening at the sight of Mito pulling Gon into a tearful embrace, you quietly repeated, “I always will.”