~ Those Eyes ~

Chapter 6 - 'Rollercoaster'

Author's Temporary Note: Ok, so this is....don't hate me...another sappy chapter with some backstory hints. But, all good things come to those who wait right? I was ready for some lemony bitterness after this sugarsweet work though, so get ready! Hey, not yet, get your hands out of your pants...for now 😂😘

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The new lovers had lounged in front of the television for the rest of the previous night, watching obscure anime shows, but mostly just talking about random things. It had been a long, long time since they had done just that, and since they simply enjoyed each other's company. This time, there was no sand running out inside the hourglass. There was no deadline Illumi had to meet, no parents to run home to. There was nothing and no one threatening to separate them. It had been a wonderful, lazy night.

The next morning, a Sunday, was another dark, gray day, overcast but not raining. This time, upon waking, they found that they had again slept so deeply and soundly that they happily still remained in each other's arms. Though they no longer had any feeling in them by morning!

Still, they couldn't manage to leave the warm blankets, and warmth of each other right away. They'd laid in Chrollo's bed talking about the weather like an old married couple. Illumi had held Chrollo in his arms and played with his hair. He was covered in goosebumps by the time Illumi's adroit hands were done. The contrast of soft fingertips and razor-sharp nails was incredibly soothing, yet erotic. Illumi adored being able to play with someone ELSE'S hair. And Chrollo didn't mind being the plaything one little bit!

Chrollo then repaid the debt by giving Illumi the most wonderful back massage. And Chrollo enjoyed this fully and completely of course! He felt honored to be allowed to touch the ruined perfection, reverently working his way down Illumi's spine, loosening knot after knot, and trying to memorize the beauty that the scarred canvas still displayed. He tried not to envision the horrifying instruments and acts behind it however.

Each young man was ultimately still in disbelief that the other had stuck around this long, and was just happy to have the lasting companionship.

Now, on this grim day, the mood was anything but. They sat across from each other at a small breakfast table in a cozy window nook in the main house. They had been awakened by Noriko-san on the intercom, offering breakfast and tea.

Noriko Takana and her husband Yama-san had "come with" the purchase of the property. Their family lineage had begun on the property hundreds of years before and they were fiercely dedicated to it and the tiny shrine on the property which housed their ancestors. They had somehow been honored to serve a criminal nen-user and his band, all because they thought he 'had a good heart'....that and something about Chrollo's skill with his Benz knife offering 'potential' to carry on their family's craft and skill. They were a childless couple in their eighties after all.

So, the boys sat, making quick work of rice bowls, thick slabs of sashimi, and hot miso. Steaming cups of tea warmed their hands. The ancient cook-stove hadn't yet heated the building against the cold front rolling in. But this was the first full meal the two young men had had since arriving, so they made quick work of their provisions despite the chill in the air around them.

Oddly though, when the teapot had emptied, Illumi leapt up to assist Noriko-san. HE had bowed to HER, and said something Chrollo could only assume was an ancient saying. Despite being extremely well educated himself, he only understood a few words.

Noriko-san blushed and giggled, calling out to her husband that he had better "try harder" or she would have a new suitor! They all laughed, except Chrollo.

"What am I missing? What old verse is that?" He looked lost.

"Ah! Kuro-san, that is between me and my boyfriend!" she replied. They laughed again.