wait for me [illumi zoldyck]

Chapter 15

(updated: March 22, 2021)

Mia

"Illumi," I mutter, laying my head against his shoulder as he carries me out of the woods. "I need to find Mamoru."

My older brother, Mamoru, left quite promtply ensuing my mother's funeral. He never gave anyone an explanation for his actions, having just picked up and left in a fit of acrimony. Despite never being told why he left, I know that he was very angry at father. 

Preceding diagnosis of my mother's terminal illness, he married a simple woman whom he met during one of his jobs and fell in love with. Father disaproved of their union, creating a rift between him and Mamoru. However, I doubt that his anger towards that matter is what led to his sudden departure. Nevertheless, father refused to search for him and we have not seen him since.

"Mia, I don't understand," Illumi murmurs monotonically, peering down at me through a veil of dark strands that fall in front of his eyes. 

We haven't spoken about the injuries Takeo has inflicted on me. I feel fine, but Illumi kept insisting that I don't overly exert myself and decided it would be best if he carries me. I can tell that he is greatly troubled by it though. Neither of us say anything more on the matter, choosing to ignore it for now.

"He married a woman before he left, " I explain, watching the nearby town come into view. "I think they could help me."

Illumi peers down at me, an array of emotions swimming behind his deadpaned expression. "How are we meant to find them? They've been gone for a long time," he mutters, grip slightly tightening on my body as he carries me.

"Actually, I figured out where he's been living, not that long ago," I peer up at him, reaching a hand out to tuck his stray hairs behind his ear. 

Memories flood back into my head of River, Hisoka's friend, and her practical nen ability. I had asked her out of curiosity and boredom, to know where my older brother fled to. I didn't realize how useful that information might be.

Illumi cocks his head to the side, glancing down at me.

"Sibitzu Island."

++

I wake slowly, comfortably. 

I am laying on my side, tucked beneath a considerable amount of blankets. I squint, temporarily disoriented as I gather my senses, trying to remember how I fell asleep. I recognize the chair in the corner of the room, its armrests shredded. We are back in Illumi's hotel room.

My eyes land on a green shirt laying atop of the armchairs, and then slowly shift to the sleeping figure right beside me. It's Illumi. 

He lays above the covers, bare back facing me. His head is dipped back slightly, chest slowly rising and falling, clearly deep asleep. We've had multiple sleepovers, as children, but the older we got the less frequent they became. At some point, the only time we'd sleep in the same room would be if we had taken jobs together and stayed overnight in a hotel. Much like now. Nevertheless, I've never felt uncomfortable when it came to sharing a bed with Illumi.

A warm smile finds its way to my face. Illumi came back for me when I thought he'd leave me again. He saved me from Takeo, and brought me somewhere safe, despite all the things he'd previously said. A sense of warmth fills me.

I slide out from beneath the covers and silently pad my way towards the bathroom, trying not to wake Illumi in the process. I take a very quick shower, washing away all of the blood and dirt from my body.