Getting situated into the ice cream shoppe, we all sit at all small table as we look over the menu to see what to order. We quickly each decide: Killua gets chocolate, I get cookie dough, Gon gets rainbow sherbet, & Leorio gets chocolate fudge sundae.

Once we get or treats, we all sit at a small metal circular table outside of the parlor, & we begin diving into our dairy delights. It's pretty silent for a bit as the three of us chow down, & Leorio holds his head after taking a bite of his, getting a brain freeze in return.

Out of no where, Gon drops his spoon into his empty ice cream cup & begins to speak cheerfully, "Hey Karm, what's with the bracelets? Did you get them at the shops?"

I nodded as he continued, "Well, where from? Jewelry like that's expensive, & we all know Leorio didn't pitch in to help."

Killua bursted out laughing as I stifled my laughter, as Leorio shook his fist at us, "HEY! IT'S CALLED SAVING MONEY YOU BRATS!"

"We know, we know." I giggled, patting Leorio on the shoulder, "We appreciate you greatly Leorio."

He smiled, giving me a thumbs up, "Well, good to know someone appreciates me. I care for you kiddos alright? Even if you guys are little brats."

Killua stuck his tongue out at Leorio, as they began to bicker with one another. Which, sadly & funnily enough, is not the first nor the last time this has happened. I continued my conversation with Gon, "Anyways, it was given to me for free. Her name was Lady Suzie...I was going to thank her but...her tent kinda..."

"Vanished." Killua finished off, stopping the bickering & fist fight him & Leorio was having.

"Hmm." Gon noted, "Well, I'm going to have to say that this might be a magic or destiny type of ordeal."

"Destiny?" I questioned.

"Like, you were destined to meet her. Or destined to get those bracelets." Gon explained, "Did she say anything peculiar when you were shopping?"

"Well..." I recalled, "she did tell me to look with my heart. & she held my hand, & acted like she knew something about me. I don't know, I think maybe it was just like, old lady senses you know?"

Gon laughed a little, "I wouldn't say that...it's pretty obvious she's probably a nen user. I just, couldn't exactly tell you what type."

Killua sighed, "If only Mr Wing was here. He'd probably be able to tell us."

It got silent, before I quickly broke through it, "Well, let's not keep pondering this. How bout we have a nice evening okay? Things have been so nice & calm these past three months. There's no need to worry, it was just some luck that I got some cool jewelry...all the bad is over, right?"

The three of them nodded, each giving me a smile. I looked at the three boys & their bright smiles. I know Pika wasn't here with us right now because of his jobs, but I couldn't help but think how lucky I was to end up with four amazing boys in my life.

I have an amazing boyfriend, a sweet best friend, & two parent figures. I couldn't ask for any better, I couldn't ask for any better.

Life was good.

~

After a long day of running the blocks & searching many shops, we finally arrived back at the apartment. We each had bags lining our arms as we piled through the door, bring in bags of foods for dinner & some other random items we happened to pick up.

After throwing the bags onto the counter, Killua & Gon snatched a bag & ran to the living room floor, & inserted a disc. They both bought a bag full worth of video games, & was already incapsulated in playing this brawler game against one another.

I face palmed & laughed at the two dorks, & turned to Leorio who was putting groceries away. I walked over to him, beginning to help him. He looked over to me, putting some veggies into the fridge, "Karma, don't you want to go play video games?"

Shaking my head, I pick up some cans & place them into the cupboard, "Oh no. I want to help you Leorio."

He looked a little surprised & taken aback at first, but slowly warmed up & walked up to me. Placing his hand on my head, he lightly ruffled my hair, "Well alright, it's an honor to be cooking with you Chef Karma."

I grinned, "As well to you, Chef Leorio."

We continued putting the food items away, keeping some out to begin cooking with. I began by kneading & rolling out some dough, while Chef Leorio began shredding some cheese & heating up some tomato sauce. In the background of us working, the loud noises of Killua & Gon screaming at one another while they played video games filled the apartment.

But we didn't mind, as we were being loud with our cooking & our random conversations about things. Me & Leorio didn't talk as much as we probably should, but when we do, we both end up making one another laugh. In all honesty, when we all see Leorio, it's when he's back from taking exams or taking a break from his studies. But we do see him more than we do Pika, because Leorio studies at home & only leaves for exams at least once a month.

In the very beginning Leorio was very awkward towards me, but as began to talk more & more, he started treating me like his own kin. Like, I was his daughter or his little princess. It warmed my heart a good bit, & made me feel even closer to all of them.

Once we got into a rhythm of cooking, it was just us mainly us just putting the ingredients together for the pizza, it got quieter. Well, besides the rampaging of the two boys in the other room & Leorio humming, it seemed quiet to me.

I began thinking back on the words he said to me.

Chef...Karma...

Huh. What a funny thought to pop into my head. I miss him more & more everyday...I don't have any way of keeping any contact with him besides going back to the mansion, & that was sadly not an option for me or Killua. I still regret every second I wasn't able to bring Chef back with me.

But something told me one day I'd see him again. I hoped & prayed that he'd be okay...the first person who cared for me. My first father figure.

I looked over to Leorio, who was now on the phone. The phone was cradled on his shoulder, being held to his ear, as he chopped up some more ingredients. As he spoke, he held a happy smile & sparkle to his eye. I know he must've been talking to Kurapika, which gave me hope about him possibly coming home tonight.

That made me think deeply...that Chef would be happy for me. That I was happy, that I was safe. That I finally had another father figure in my life, actually, two father figures in my life. The parents I was always supposed to have.

"You were always like the daughter I was never able to have Karma...I'm so proud of you...please, go live your dream."

The remembrance of the words almost brought tears to my eyes. But before I could even try to let a tear loose, Leorio called my name. I turned to him, as he held out all the ingredients, "You ready?"

Shaking my head out of the headspace I was stuck in, I gave him a thumbs up & grin, "Hell yeah."

"Language."

"Shut up."

(AUTHORS NOTE:) - first, please vote for my story, & maybe follow?:)

Hey guys!!

My apologies if this seems super slow currently, but I promise all this build up is gonna be worth it!

Also SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TIME WHOO-HOO!!!

I'm think of making a ~special~ chapter for when I hit 500 followers! What might this chapter be? Well, I'm going to include some insider details about Karma & the group, some cute little head-cannons, & if you guys want - questions from you guys for me & the characters to answer!!

I've already gotten started writing it, so I'm excited for when I can upload it !! <3

Also, I'm currently writing all of this when I'm supposed to be attending my AP classes through remote, so if I stop posting for a few hours - that's sadly why TwT ... gosh, AP is fun, but also stressful - ya guys feel?

BUT OTHER GOOD NEWS!! - I'll be able to write a lot more this week because I have a 4-day weekend !! SOOO expect some more content!! Lemme know if I should update this, my one-shot book, or both! <3

Anyways, until next time! I hope your guys week is going awesome so far!!

- Author Ven <3