Tattoos

Chapter 13

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."