Sᵾđđɇn̷ Ɇm̷øŧɨøn̷s̷ a̷n̷đ Ⱥƀn̷øɍm̷a̷łłɏ Ꝁɨn̷đ Sᵽɨđɇɍs̷

Nøw Ꝁɨs̷s̷! Ᵽłɇa̷s̷ɇɇɇ!

The Spiders had received Mike fairly well, even Scarfy seemed somewhat okay with the giant canine. He was well trained, so the question of if he'll behave or not was already answered. No one had anything against keeping Alluka and Nanika there as well, though Black Widow was somewhat concerned about keeping her in the den. He wasn't concerned that they would put the Spiders in danger or the other way around, rather simply if Gon or Killua managed to catch word of where the two had gone and tracked them back here. The Spiders honestly didn't want to put up with those two again, not even Nobunaga or Hisoka.

"Lulu."

Edasi floated over to him and snuggled into his side, her form completely solid now aside from when her colors faded every now and then.

"Yes?" He hummed gently, running a hand through her silky brown hair as he continued with sorting the information on their next few clients.

"Did you actually adopt Lallumi? With Hisoka? And the other Spiders approved?"

He paused at these questions before setting down the crystal in his hand, rubbing his neck.

"Well, I did adopt her with Hisoka and Chrollo and Black Widow didn't seem to mind. Purpurea, Alluka, and Nanika were even excited about the whole thing, really. The other Spiders... I think they know. After all, she won't stop calling me her dad."

"Or mom."

Illumi gave her 'the look'. It was the 'mom look' that they had all grown accustomed to after Illumi had adopted Lallumi.

"What? You're the mom and Hisoka's the dad." Edasi said, clearly oblivious to why she was being given the mom look.

"We aren't dating, Edasi."

Then, the girl proceeded to do something which mildly surprised Illumi, she bonked him on the head.

"You dummy! You're smart at everything else, so why can't you see that Hisoka's clearly in love with you?"

He felt his cheeks heat up and his mind blank when she said that. Edasi continued rambling on about how much of an idiot he was for not being able to see that Hisoka clearly wanted to date him until she finally realized that Illumi was frozen stiff.

"You-! Hey? Are you good?" She waved a hand in front of his face, frowning when that didn't work. "Uh, Lulu?"

She then proceeded to panic, she had just broken her best friend.

"Uh- UH- HISOKA!"

Then she raced out of the room, leaving a shocked Illumi to try and comprehend everything which she had just rambled on about for the past five minutes.

Meanwhile, in Edasi's point of view.

"HISOKA! I BROKE ILLUMI!"

The Spiders had gotten used to Edasi's presence ever since Illumi's Nen(or was it Edasi's?) had gotten strong enough to project her image for others to see with the help of Chrollo, Black Widow, and Hisoka. They had also gotten used to her suddenly bursting into the room before proceeding to ramble on about some seemingly meaningless topic before switching to another one. After all, she had been dead for a while, cut her some slack. This, however, was a new one.

"What?" Hisoka asked, clearly startled by her panicked entry. "IWASTELLINGHIMHOWYOULIKEHIMANDHOWYOUMIGHTWANTTODATEHIMBUTHE'STOOMUCHOFANIDIOTTOSEETHATANDTHENITOLDHIMHOWYOUTWOLITERALLYADOPTEDACHILDTOGETHERSOYOUGUYSAREDEFINITELYDATINGANDTHENHEFROZEANDHE WOULDN'TMOVEWHENITRIEDGETTINGHISATTENTIONSOITHINKIBROKEHIM-"

The magician was already out of the room, presumably heading to Illumi's room, before the rest of them could comprehend what she had just blurted out in her flurry of panic. Once it finally clicked to them, aside from the children because they are such tiny beans, they all snickered collectively before Machi calmed Edasi down, assuring her that everything would be fine.

MEANWHILE, in Illumi's point of view because he's emo and can't see when love is clearly in front of him.

"Illu, are you-!"

"You like me?" Illumi finally managed to squeeze out after a few moments of processing everything.

"I, uhm, well, of course I do! I mean, we're friends, aren't we?"

Illumi watched as the maniac tried, and failed, to downplay everything. Perhaps it would've been more believable if he hadn't stuttered through his words, if he hadn't begun playing with his nails like he usually did when nervous, and if his usually pale skin was a dark shade of pink right then.

"So, Edasi probably made a whole deal about it but-"

"I like you. Too. I-I think it's mutual, that is if you actually do like me. Or if you don't and you're nervous for no absolute reason." Illumi interrupted him for the second time, this time looking equally as flustered.

The confession seemed to take a few moments to register in the magician's mind, for he stood there for a few tantalizing seconds before his smile shied a bit.

"You... actually like me? Like, like like me?"

Illumi fussed a hand through his hair, cheeks dusted pink like how the magician's had been before he went to find Alluka and Nanika.

"Yes. I think- I think the word is love."

Hisoka opened his mouth, then closed it again, before opening it again, but all that managed to come out was a simple squeak. It made Illumi smile and made the ice melt.

"I think," He stood up from his desk before making his way over to the frozen magician, brushing his fingers against his cheek. "That I love you."

This seemed to snap Hisoka out from his daze as in a split second, he rushed forward and kissed the ravenet. It took the assassin by surprise, but it felt absolutely wonderful. Yes, it wasn't what others might describe as perfect per say. After all, neither of them had ever felt this kind of love before nor had they ever kissed anyone else. Because of this, the kiss was a bit off center, a bit hasty, but it was perfect to them and that was all it needed to be. When the two separated, they stared at each other for a long moment before Hisoka brought him into a tight hug, surprising Illumi yet again. Nonetheless, he returned the hug and perhaps he might have even smiled when he did, but no one could see to make sure of it.

"I loved that." Hisoka finally whispered after a few moments of silence had passed.

The ravenet let out a small chuckle, bringing a hand up to play with his bright hair.

"I loved it as well, but I think I love you more."

Hisoka squeaked again, something that Illumi was beginning to wonder if he could always squeak like that or if he only did it when he was flustered. Either way, it was adorable, especially for a dazzling idiot like him. The magician pulled away from the hug and Illumi was able to see his face now, his eyes still closed and pink still dusted his cheeks, but his smile was wider now if not a bit shy and he truly looked like the beautiful magician he had met all those many years ago.

"Y'know, I think I've always loved you, even eighteen years ago. Do you remember how we met?"

Illumi let out a gentle hum as he recalled how they met, a small smile tracing his lips.

"Of course I do."