Hisoka makes his way back home from class, drenched in sweat from how the teacher had worked them today. He hadn't spoken to Illumi in a little while, Machi informing Hisoka that Illumi had been spending a lot of time with Chrollo. That made Hisoka's blood boil. Even when he texted Illumi, he hardly got response, besides a quick 'I'm with Chrollo,' it drove Hisoka mad. He constantly had the battle in his head that Chrollo was better for Illumi than him.

Walking into his apartment it's eerily quiet, the boys not being here after school yet. Figures... They tended to go out for adventures anyway. He showers, trying to relax. Rain started to patter on his window and he watches for a while before heading to the TV. He just wanted to relax.

Gon and Killua he assumes are at the hotel when they don't return after a couple of hours. A knock on the door makes him frown. He wasn't expecting anyone... Especially at this time. It was midnight now...

Hisoka opens the door to find Illumi completely drenched in rain, the tip of his nose bright red and his eyes a little puffy. Was he... Crying?

Illumi hesitates before holding his arms open, not looking at Hisoka. Hisoka hugs him tightly, ignoring the cold wet rain on Illumi.

"It'll be okay," Hisoka says softly, cradling the man close to him. Illumi burying his face into Hisoka. Hisoka holds him tightly for a little while, feeling Illumi cry into him. "Come inside okay?" Hisoka is very gentle when he moves Illumi into his apartment. Unsure of what to do first. Well, no, first he needs to get Illumi out of these clothes so he doesn't get sick.

Illumi is still crying, not talking to Hisoka, just kind of standing, unsure. Hisoka gently tells him what to do, helping him out of his clothes then patting him dry with a towel. Illumi looking completely... broken. Hisoka has no idea what could have happened, but he didn't want to ask. Illumi would tell him if he wanted. Machi did say something bad was going to happen...

Hisoka pulls a hoodie over Illumi's head before sitting him on his bed. He takes a hairbrush and gently begins taking it through Illumi's hair. He hums softly, every so often reminding Illumi that it would be okay. Once he had brushed through Illumi's hair, he does two braids. He had learned while in the orphanage, the girls always wanted him to care for their hair. Hisoka has always used his charms, of course, they'd want him to do their hair.

When he's finished, he notices Illumi's tears have stopped. "I'll make you something to eat, okay? Whatever you like."

"I don't like rainy season here," Illumi says softly, his voice shaky, looking out the window by Hisoka's bed. "Makes things more sad..."

"Hmm, does it? Rain is supposed to symbolize purity... new beginnings... I think it's just the way you look at it," Hisoka replies, following his gaze out the window.

"I'll... have a grill cheese," Illumi looks to Hisoka and Hisoka smiles.

"That I can do."

They sit together in the kitchen, Illumi sipping hot chocolate Hisoka had made him before the grill cheese. The sleeves of Hisoka's hoodie covering his fingers and just covering the tops of the man's thighs. Hisoka's mind flickers to an image of Illumi in the infamous virgin killer sweater and he quickly turns around to the grill cheese, how could he have that kind of thought when Illumi is still upset?

"Hisoka why did you never ask why I am upset?" Illumi's voice is still quiet, on edge of crying again.

"You'll talk about it if you want to," Hisoka shrugs, plating the grill cheese and sliding the plate over to Illumi before sitting down. Illumi looks at it, his eyes clouded over, thinking about something.

"Can I stay the night here?"

"It's three am Illumi, I didn't think you'd go back to your hotel now."

Illumi nods a little. "Thank you, Hisoka."

"Of course, Illumi."

There remains a peaceful silence between them. Hisoka holding one of Illumi's hands as he finishes the food. Illumi has delicately long fingers and soft skin, pretty hands, making pretty things. Illumi is pretty...

"I was supposed to have a show for my most recent collection," Illumi begins suddenly. "That's what I had you try on. I sent the pieces back home because my mother-" he chokes up a little and Hisoka squeezes his hand. "She said she wanted to make sure they were worthy of the Zoldyck name... But instead, she burned the whole collection."

Hisoka doesn't ask why she did, instead, he gives Illumi a hug. Pulling him desperately close, wanting Illumi to know he was here. Here for him.

"I wanna go to bed now," Illumi is so close to tears, Hisoka quickly obliges, holding his hand on the way. Hisoka gently pulls him into bed with him and it's only moments before Illumi is asleep, he must be exhausted.

Hisoka only wishing there could have been something more he could have done.

***

Hisoka took Illumi back to the hotel shortly after they had woken up so that Illumi could talk to Machi. Illumi didn't cry again. There were no tears shed when he told Machi, or Chrollo when the damn man arrived. Hisoka has no idea why he needs to be here but he made Illumi happier so he accepted it for Illumi's sake.

"How 'bout a game of cards?" Hisoka suggests when the awkwardness becomes apparent.

"You already think you're going to win..." Machi narrows her eyes.

"Oh, I always win in cards," Hisoka smirks. "Got a deck?"

Machi finds one and the four sit together, Hisoka dramatically shuffles as they ponder over a game. They decide on Euchre, Machi and Chrollo partnering and Illumi and Hisoka.

The game runs wild. Turns out Chrollo doesn't like losing cards either. Both fighting for tricks. But Hisoka, he never lost in cards.

Naturally, he and Illumi win the game, Chrollo making an annoyed tsk as Hisoka smiles deviously, collecting the last trick. Though Hisoka is quite excited he had such a tough partner to play against.

"You should be more careful when betting on something like that," Hisoka offers Chrollo, shuffling the deck more for his own pleasure rather than to really shuffle it.

"Yes," Chrollo's eyes linger on Illumi and then flicker back to Hisoka. "I should be, shouldn't I?"

Hisoka notices and he narrows his eyes. "Yes... I don't normally lose."

"Neither do I."

Innocent Illumi hardly notices the tension between them. Fortunately, Machi does, aggressively standing so the attention went to her. "I think we should go out boys! What do ya say to a day out?"

Well, now that just sounds boring... "Sorry but I must be off, I have to practice for my showcase today. So, see ya!"

Hisoka leaves the hotel, a little frustrated with Chrollo but not saying anything for Illumi's sake. Especially after what just happened, Illumi didn't need to be more upset. But Chrollo rubbed off in all the wrong ways and the way he looked at Illumi...

Despite that, he really did have showcase practice this afternoon, something he couldn't miss. Dress rehearsal...

The costume felt all wrong. After wearing Illumi's perfect costumes, this particular costume made him look just... mediocre. He glances at the new partner he had chosen. No one of real importance... okay, that sounded horrible. But she really was just some girl who he knew would do anything for him. Although he didn't predict how attached to him she would get.
Jal would probably wash his feet with her hair if he asked...

"Hisoka? Are you ready?" Jal asks, already all dressed in a pretty purple costume, her skirt flowing nicely around her. Hisoka smiles down at her and takes her hand, leading her out to stage where everyone is taking their places.

They get in place and the music starts and they perform.

Top dance school creating the most beautiful performances... Hisoka could feel their unison, the way they moved as one, breathing the same air and feeling, drinking, seeing, the same rhythm. A beautiful moment.

Hisoka knew his place here, here in a dance. Dancing expresses so many things he just needed to... The song ends and he's well aware of their perfect performance to the empty room. Hisoka quickly walks to the professor, desperation clear in his eyes.

"I-I know I'm supposed to stay, I'll practice with Jal alone if I need to, I just really... Need to go," Hisoka looks at him and the normally hard professor softens.

"Go on," he says.

Aggressively pulling off his costume, walking backstage, Hisoka is a mess. He practically runs to the studio he always uses. Hisoka just wanted- no, needed, to dance, to show his emotions in the best way he knew how. He starts the music as soon as he's in the room and the man dances. Beautifully, showing his care for Illumi. Aggressively, to show his anger at Chrollo. Sadly, to express how he felt about himself... He danced many styles, whatever the rhythm told him.

Finally, he stops, looking at himself in the mirror, heaving like a dog. He had danced for god knows how long, his feet burned. But he didn't want to stop... He had so much left to express...

He jolts a little when he hears applause. Turning around, Illumi, Machi, and Chrollo are sitting on one of the couches in the back. Hisoka hadn't even noticed them come in...

"Illumi wanted to see your rehearsal... But your professor said you left after the first run through," Machi gives him a look.

"I knew you'd be here," Illumi adds, moving to turn down the music. "You like it here."

Hisoka grabs his water bottle and towel, taking a swig and wiping away the sweat from his forehead and back of his neck. How long were they watching?

"You really are one of the best dancers, Hisoka," Chrollo says finally. "You gave me some inspiration... Illumi mentioned you would, but I wasn't quite expecting this." The look Chrollo gave to Illumi before, was one Hisoka felt he was being bored down with now.

"Ah... Thanks, I do have my charms," he brushes aside the compliment, walking to the couch.

"You danced for like... half an hour straight since we got here. That's like the hardest workout I've seen someone do, how ya feeling?" Machi teases and Hisoka gives her a look. His body is physically exhausted but his mind is telling him he has so much more to express. Then Machi gave him a colder look. "You shouldn't leave an important rehearsal like that."

"I know... I just had to dance..." Hisoka murmurs, glancing at their reflections in the mirror. "It's nothing... Let's go back to my place yeah? I'll make a killer dinner."