Hisoka paces in his living room, Machi sitting on his couch. Both worried and unsure of what to do next. Illumi still hadn't called and it was now night. What if something really bad happened to him? What if Hisoka never got to apologize for his pettiness and Illumi was like... dead... Oh, my gods what if he was murdered or something?

Machi's phone rings and she picks it up in a flash. "Hello?" The complete relief on her face when the person responds tells Hisoka exactly who it is and he plops beside her, his body feeling as though two tons were lifted off him.

In his moments of calming down, Machi passes the phone to him. "Illumi?" Hisoka says desperately to the man on the other end of the line.

"Hello Hisoka," Illumi hums. "I didn't realize you'd be so worried."

Hisoka practically growls into the phone. "Machi made it sound like you were dying," that was a fat lie, but he didn't want Illumi to really think anything of his excessive amount of phone calls or texts.

"Right well, my phone died. I met a man at the fashion show who took me out into the city for the night. We were just sharing as artists. He gave me a lot of inspiration," Illumi informs.

"For the night and the whole day?" Hisoka frowns, why would a man he just met take him out?

"We were sharing as artists!" Over the phone, Hisoka can tell Illumi is excited about what had just happened, that Illumi had had a good time.

"And we can't 'share as artists?'" Hisoka can feel something building up in his chest. Why didn't Illumi ever share his art with him? Sure he made Hisoka things, but he never talked about it, Hisoka had shown Illumi his dance...

"Chrollo is a writer. We were finding inspiration together. Our arts just go a little better together is all." Illumi responds.

Hisoka winces, so Illumi and Hisoka don't go together? Is that what Illumi is trying to say? "Where are you?"

"Chrollo's house. I had to charge my phone."

"I'll come pick you up."

"Chrollo can drive me home."

"I'll come pick you up," Hisoka repeats angrily. "What's the address?"

After getting the address from Illumi, Hisoka quickly gets ready to leave.

"Jealous, are we?" Machi muses, watching him run around.

"I would never..." Hisoka looks at her and sighs. "And what if I am?"

"You two need to get your damn relationship together already and fuck," Machi replies, looking back to her phone.

Hisoka shakes his head. "You said it yourself, Illumi is..."

"Illumi is a desperate bottom and I know you're a top."

"Machi!" Hisoka hisses.

"You two are perfect for each other! Honestly, if you can set aside your petty ego and Illumi can set aside his idea that mates are dumb, you two would see how truly perfect for each other you are."

"I don't think it's quite that simple..." Hisoka frowns as he thinks of how dirty a person he is. "Yeah, I don't think so at all..." He leaves to go pick up Illumi in his rather out of place fancy car, the one thing he did spend his money on.

He races through the streets, heading to where Chrollo lived. Why would Illumi spend so much time with a stranger? Illumi hardly spent that time with Hisoka and if he did, Machi or someone was with them.

Hisoka finds the house and walks to it, knocking on the door. A few moments later, a man opens the door. His hair is dark like Illumi's but much shorter, a bandana tied across his forehead. Dark eyes searched him for a moment before recognition flowed through them. "You must be Hisoka!"

"Yes..."

"Come in," Chrollo stands aside and Hisoka slips in.

"I'm just here to pick up Illumi..." He trails off when he sees Illumi on the floor, playing with a cat... Only in his boxers. What the fuck.

"Oh, Hisoka!" Illumi picks up the white and black cat and Hisoka almost feels bad for the poor animal in the way Illumi picked him up. "Meet Oscar." Illumi walks over, holding the cat out.

Hisoka quickly picks the cat up in a nicer manner, fearing Illumi's grasp of him. The cat takes an instant liking to Hisoka, maybe because he had saved the poor creature from Illumi. "Yes, where are your clothes?"

"Oh, Chrollo and I got caught in the rain. He's drying them for me."

"And you couldn't have borrowed some of his?"

"We're only in his house," Illumi rationalizes, tilting his head. "Why should I?"

"Can I get you anything?" Chrollo interrupts. "Illumi's clothes are still in the dryer..."

"I'm good," Hisoka says, absentmindedly petting the cat as he looks around. The house is clearly expensive, decorated in a modern style with touches of old Victorian vibes.

"Make yourself at home then Hisoka," Chrollo smiles a little.

"I think Oscar likes you... He didn't like me very much," Illumi says, narrowing his eyes at the cat. "That's unfair."

"Hold him like I am," Hisoka offers, passing Oscar back to Illumi but the cat does not want such, reeling back into Hisoka. Illumi pouts a little and Hisoka laughs lightly. "How about we let the cat do what he wants," Hisoka sets him down and the cat scampers off into another room.

Illumi... Oh Illumi had an entire childish aspect to him. Hisoka finally takes a moment to look over Illumi and his breath gets caught in his throat. Illumi was practically naked before him, it took everything within Hisoka not to pull Illumi close and kiss him. He looked amazing... Despite what Hisoka had assumed, Illumi is completely ripped. A more gentle version of being ripped is the best way Hisoka could think of it. He had the body of a dancer, lean and strong, pretty and perfect... Illumi is gorgeous.

"Chrollo was reading to me," Illumi says, walking back to the couch, giving Hisoka a view of his tattoo through places his hair parts. It is still the same as Hisoka remembers it, his poised figure with cards flying around it. "He has very good writing."

"Sharing art stuff?" Hisoka glances over at Chrollo who's eyeing up Illumi, giving Hisoka a rather annoyed feeling.

"Yes... Illumi quite enjoys being read to," Chrollo smiles, looking over at Hisoka. "Which I imagine you're already aware being his friend, no?"

Hisoka watches a devilish twinkle in Chrollo's eye and his feeling sinks, suddenly slightly fearful of the man. Something is so wrong about him... And Hisoka didn't fear anyone or anything. But everything inside him was against this man. Chrollo sits next to Illumi and waves Hisoka over.

"Chrollo wrote a poem about the fashion show, would you like to hear it? It'll make you feel like you were really there," Illumi almost smiles and Hisoka clenches his fists, sitting on a recliner. Illumi was giving up his precious, rare, facial expressions to this man?

"It's okay, you take me to the next show, how's that sound?" Hisoka offers smoothly.

Illumi looks over him, narrowing his eyes. "You're serious?"

"Quite."

Chrollo puts a hand on Illumi's thigh. "I'm gonna go check on your clothes," Chrollo walks away and Hisoka scrunches his nose.

Hisoka looks back at Illumi and sinks into the chair, gripping the edges, he wants to slam Illumi into a wall and kiss him. But that could be a little inappropriate... Especially considering their situation. Machi did say he was a desperate bottom though...

"Hisoka?" Illumi interrupts. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Why do you think?" Hisoka responds cooly.

Illumi clearly takes a moment before he just lets out a little 'oh...' and Hisoka rolls his eyes. "Don't think that!" Illumi suddenly exclaims.

"What!? You're naked!"

"I'm not naked!" Despite what he said, he yanks a blanket from the couch over himself.

"Practically! Besides, it's Machi's fault!"

"She's not even here!"

"Are you two okay?" Chrollo's voice comes back as he walks into the room, folded clothes in his hands.

"Fine," Hisoka stands, grabbing the clothes and shoving them at Illumi. "Illumi's just getting a little chilly."

"I can make you a coffee for the ride back," Chrollo offers Illumi, offering the smile Hisoka knows all too well. The kind of smile he gave to people when he was trying to please them. What did Chrollo want with Illumi? Chrollo then looks at Hisoka and he can see the mischievous look in his eye.

"It's alright," Illumi is already up and dressed when Hisoka looks back at him. "I've overstayed my welcome."

"Of course not!" Chrollo says quickly. "You're always welcome here, for as long as you like."

Illumi tilts his head. "Thank you," he then looks at Hisoka. "Okay, let's go."

Hisoka wastes no time in walking to his car, inwardly seething. Chrollo pissed Hisoka off, everything about that man just... Illumi slides into the car and Hisoka looks over him.

"Do you need dinner or anything?" Hisoka asks as he pulls away, speeding away from the wretched house.

"Will you make me something?" Illumi replies.

"If that's what you'd like," Hisoka nods, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Then please."

The rest of the ride to Hisoka's apartment is silent. Hisoka driving like a madman as always, but also as always, making it home in one piece. He heads into the apartment which he's surprised to find empty. Machi, Gon, and Killua were all not there... That's different. Illumi walks in behind him and instantly heads for the kitchen.

"Okay," Hisoka chuckles, following him. "What do you want?"

"A grilled cheese."

"That's it...?"

"Yes."

Hisoka shrugs and goes ahead, starting to make one. Illumi waits patiently at the island, watching Hisoka make it. Hisoka turns to look at him while he waits for the grilled cheese to finish. They sit in silence for a moment before Illumi speaks up.

"Were you really that worried when I was gone?"

Hisoka looks over him before slowly nodding. "Extremely."

"I promise to get in contact faster if it happens again."

"Thank you," Hisoka sighs in relief. "You really had me going..."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, really."

Illumi walks over and gives Hisoka a hug, surprising Hisoka. But he hugs Illumi back, relaxing in his arms yet holding him tightly. Illumi's okay. That's all that matters. They stay there until Illumi pulls his head back to look at Hisoka.

"My grill cheese is done."

Hisoka kisses the tip of Illumi's nose before letting go to plate his grill cheese. They take it to the living room where they sit to watch TV. Even more to Hisoka's surprise, when Illumi finishes the grilled cheese, he lays his head in Hisoka's lap. Hisoka hesitantly starts to play with his hair, watching the show on the TV as he does.

After some time passes, Hisoka turns off the TV. "Okay Illumi, I should take you back to your place." The hotel room had become their 'home.' Illumi, however, doesn't respond. "Illumi?" Hisoka looks at him and realizes he's fallen asleep. He shakes his head and moves gently away from him before picking him up. He puts Illumi in his own bed since he doesn't exactly have a guest bedroom.

Hisoka then showers and gets ready for bed. He heads to the couch in the living room when Gon comes back in, dragging Killua behind him.

"Fancy you two coming back so late," Hisoka narrows his eyes.

"Sor- wait why are you sleeping on the couch?" Gon asks.

"Illumi's in my bed," Hisoka shrugs.

"You're mates why can't you sleep together?" Killua frowns.

"Yeah, Killua and I do!" Gon chimes.

Hisoka looks between them... They're so childish. "Because... You two just get to bed or I'll get you in trouble for being out so late."

The two run off to Gon's room and Hisoka sighs. They kind of have a point... Why doesn't he just... Sleep with Illumi. No, he can't. They're adults, it's different from Gon and Killua. But is it really?

"Hisoka?" Illumi's voice calls, it's soft and confused. Hisoka quickly gets up and goes to his room. Illumi is sitting up, squinting his eyes a little. "Why aren't you here?"

Hisoka opens his mouth to respond, but he doesn't really have a reason. He just assumed Illumi wouldn't want him to sleep with him. Was he really wrong? But Illumi and he still weren't on the best terms...

Hisoka sits on the edge of the bed. "Sorry..."

Illumi pulls off his pants before falling back into the bed. "Come," he holds out his arms.

Hisoka hesitantly joins him, Illumi instantly curls into him, putting his hands against his bare chest. "Goodnight Hisoka."

"Goodnight Illumi," Hisoka replies softly. Although Hisoka has a hard time falling asleep, trying to work out why Illumi would be letting him... Hisoka's mind is a mess all night.