wait for me [illumi zoldyck]

Chapter 7

(Updated: March 13, 2021)

Mia

After quickly getting ready, I find Illumi waiting for me in the downstairs lobby. His expression is more stoic than ever. Some passerby's and the receptionists spare him a few glances as he stands very awkwardly in the middle of the room.

"Thank you" I mumble attentively, as Illumi holds the front door open for me to walk through. His actions seem slightly awkward, as though he isn't used to doing something like this

"We need to leave now." 

Illumi grasps my wrist gently and begins to pull me along down the street busy streets towards an unknown location. The streets are filled with many people, who make their way towards a large building in the distance. 

"The underground auction is taking place tonight, we'll have to move discreetly."

I clasp Illumi's arm tightly as we weave through a crowd of people. I can barely see what's going on, and instead just follow after Illumi until we reach a barren alleyway. The alley is exceedingly filthy and dully light, with a single lamp post at one end. If I was a normal girl, I would probably do everything to avoid walking into a place like this, especially alone.

"I will disguise myself as Hisoka, and you will have to use your nen spirits to make the transition look as natural as possible. As Hisoka steps out, you will need to summon a spirit and make it appear to look like him, until I get inside. Once that's done, you'll need to go to a designated location and watch after the girl."

"And where exactly is this designated location?" I ask, stepping over some musky junk that lingers on the unkempt floor. A putrid smell surrounds us, making me want to leave as soon as possible.

Illumi glances behind us, making sure that nobody is in the vicinity. "North from the hideout, just outside Meteor City, there should a small town in a forest. She should be waiting for you there. Hisoka knows the details, I'm sure he'll explain it to you when we see him."

I look down at my hand which still clasps his arm firmly. We're reaching the end of the alleyway, closer to the outskirts of the city. I can't help but wonder, am I really going to run away after all of this? Is this the last time I'll be seeing Illumi?

"And after?" 

Illumi pauses in his steps, causing me to nearly walk into him. 

"What about after?" He asks, turning to face me. I can't read his expression.

"After all of this, are you going to force me to go back?" 

It's a fear that's been dwelling inside of me. I fear that he'll bring me back to face my family and fiancé and then leave me like he did after my mother died. The dreading thought that perhaps these moments with him are some of our last, leaves an aching pain in my chest. I shift on my feet, looking down at my hands nervously, anticipating a reaction similar to the one I received in the hotel earlier today.

He made it very clear that he did not approve of me running away. 

Illumi doesn't answer. His close proximity gently nudges my mind to recall our actions in his hotel room from an hour ago. I glance up at him, wondering if that would be one of our last memories together. 

"I won't force you to do anything," he says composedly, reaching into his pocket for his phone to contact Hisoka.

I go quiet, lowering my gaze to my feet. I feel hopeless. There's no way for me to avoid my inevitable marriage, unless I completely separate myself from everything I've come to know. Either way, I don't see Illumi sticking around me, after this. My family's alliance with his is deteriorating, and will probably completely vanish as our alliance with the Akagi becomes more solidified. If I run away, a similar fate with ensue.

"You're angry," Illumi breathes, watching me intently in the dimly lit alleyway. I lean my back against the brick wall, folding my arms over my chest. 

"I'm just trying to understand why you chose to come into my life out of nowhere, just to leave right away," I seeth. 

It's something that's been dwelling on my mind from the moment I heard he had arrived at my family's estate. Despite being overjoyed, at first, those creeping thoughts quickly arose within me. 

"Mia..." he trails off, not knowing how to answer.

I examine his face. His expression is tight, a muscle quivering along his sweeping jawline. His black eyes stare into my own, consumed by hidden emotions, so fervently wild and unreadable.

"I wish I knew from the beginning, that it would end up like this. So that I could prepare myself," I admit, feeling my heart seer with emotions. 

Illumi pauses, a flicker of emotion passing through his eyes too quickly for me to grasp it. It's clear he wants to say something but is holding back. He opens his mouth, ready to say something, but the startling vibration of his cellphone has both of our attention drawn to it. 

It's a text from Hisoka. We both read it. 

Ready whenever you are.~

I cringe. This clown is truly irritating. I don't understand how Illumi can tolerate him.

"Let's go," I hum, ready to get this over with. I turn on my heel and begin walking down the alley, ahead of Illumi. 

In the distance, the sound of sirens wailing and cars screeching intensifies. I don't doubt for a second that it has something to do with the underground auction. Security in the area is excruciatingly tight tonight, keeping the event as secure as possible.

"Wait," Illumi calls out from behind me.

My steps come to a halt, and I peer over my shoulder. In this lighting, Illumi looks absolutely daunting. The single lamp post in the distance dully illuminates a part of his face. If I never knew him, I'd truly be intimidated.

"You knew it wasn't Hisoka, back in the hotel?"

I tilt my head, wondering why he would bring this up now. I already told him how I came to understand it was him. Perhaps he's afraid that the Phantom Troupe will discover that he isn't truly Hisoka.

"Yeah."

Illumi steps forward, coming to stand closer to me. He's really tall, to the point where I need to strain my head more than I'd like to, to have a good look at his face. He towers over me.

"I'm sorry for coming onto you the way I did, without asking. I hope I didn't upset you."

My heart warms at this remark. It's so considerate, coming from someone like him. A small smile finds its way to my lips. Is this what he's been thinking about?

I shake my head, "You didn't upset me," I assure. "It was... nice."

Heat rushes to my face. I turn around and continue making my way down the alley. I can hear Illumi following from behind me. 

The entire way to Meteor City, neither of us speaks. As we near the location which Hisoka has specified, Illumi takes a moment to use his nen to transform his appearance. In amazement, I watch his transformation as his body bends and morphs into the joker. His clothes change color and take on a different form, along with the rest of him.

I follow right behind him, staring at his broad shoulders, as we approach the secret location of the Phantom Troupe's hideout. 

And so it begins.

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What do you guys think about:

- Why Mia is angry towards Illumi?

- Illumi's "apology"?

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