Tattoos

Chapter 21

Hisoka glances up at the front door slamming shut. School had ended for him, Gon was coming close to the end of his semester. Hisoka had been much healthier thanks to his friends always inquiring if he had eaten. Gon storms past him, no Killua following, now that is strange.

"Hey, you good?" Hisoka questions but Gon has already retreated into his room. Hisoka keeps his gaze on the shut door for a moment before deciding to not push the issue.

Hisoka and Illumi had been doing well. Not that they had seen enough of each other. They always seemed to be too busy. Hisoka had been practicing and dancing more for year-end projects and Illumi had been working on his own year-end projects. And both were avoiding that Illumi would have to go home soon.

Hisoka sighs, walking to Gon's door and knocking gently. "What's up kid?" He didn't want to push the issue but... He did care for Gon.

"Killua is leaving!" Gon fumes from the other side of the door and suddenly the door is pulled aggressively open. "He's leaving the day after exams end and he just told me!"

Hisoka's heart sinks suddenly. That's a month away... Only a month left before they...? Hisoka figures he'd have more time.

"Hisoka?" Gon pauses. "They didn't tell you either..." Gon says softly in realization. "The Zoldycks are dicks."

The two of them share a laugh before quieting again. June was just starting to roll in... Only one month left. That's too short. They can't go home. Hisoka and Gon were here. But it would be unfair to ask them to stay. But they could have warned them. But then again, Hisoka and Gon should have seen this coming.

Hisoka leans against the door frame. "You shouldn't be mad at Killua, there's nothing he can really do. Neither of you are eighteen yet."

"You're basically my legal guardian, can't you do something?" Gon asks desperately.

"Gon, trust me, I do not want Illumi to leave either, but what can we do?"

"Fight for them! They can't just leave! They can't!" Gon pushes Hisoka out of his room. "Go eat and then figure out how to make them stay."

Hisoka shakes his head when an idea does pop into his head. Chrollo will want Machi to stay too... Therefore Chrollo can help come up with something. Hisoka instantly heads out, taking his car. He drives like his crazy self, making his way to Chrollo's place.

Chrollo and Machi have been... Bumpy. But they're working on it. Chrollo managed to corner her, with the help of Hisoka who had put the whole plan in place, and tell her the situation. She didn't exactly forgive him, but she's working on it. Machi seems happier with him anyway. Chrollo seems more comfortable around her than he ever did with Illumi. They fit, as soulmates do.

With Chrollo and Machi together, Illumi and Hisoka were building the friendship with him up. He is a formidable artist and person, regal and poised for perfection, just like Hisoka and Illumi. The three of them, now that the sexual tension Chrollo held over Illumi is gone, got along quite well. All artists that constantly spat ideas at each other if someone got them going.

Hisoka pulls up at Chrollo's house and invites himself inside. He finds Chrollo with paint covered arms, the huge canvas turned away from Hisoka.

"Whatcha working on?" Hisoka leans on the door frame, tilting his head.

Chrollo glances over and stands. "Just a painting, you came just in time for me to take a break." He brushes his hands all over his paint-stained shirt and walks over.

"Got any food?"

"Glad you asked," Chrollo and he move into the kitchen where Chrollo offers him some leftovers. Hisoka takes them gratefully and eats as Chrollo washes off his arms.

"So... You know Machi's leaving at the end of the month with the boys right?" Hisoka brings it up slowly.

"Yes... She told me recently," Chrollo sighs, leaning against the counter, facing Hisoka.

"Well, Gon is beside himself, and I don't think they should leave," Hisoka leans back in his chair.

"What are you suggesting?"

"We need a plan to get them to stay... Gon told me I had to figure something out."

Chrollo chuckles. "Of course he did, Killua and Gon are inseparable, I don't think either of them will be taking leaving well."

"It'll break all of us Chrollo, not just those two," Hisoka adds softly, knowing full well how it will hurt all parties. "There has to be some way they can stay..."

"I plan on just asking Machi," Chrollo states. "She can make her choice. But I'm going to ask if she wants to live with me. And if she doesn't, I'll offer to pay for an apartment. But we can't force them to stay. The boys have family don't forget that."

Hisoka sighs frustratedly. "I don't think Illumi wants to live with me."

Chrollo bursts into laughter. "Hisoka, you and Illumi have to be the most oblivious couple I have ever met."

"What?"

"Illumi will do anything for you and you'll do anything for Illumi, and you think he doesn't want to live with you?" Chrollo shakes his head. "You already know Illumi better than anyone, you pick up on things about him others who have known him for years can't. Machi literally tells me all about how you seem to just sense things about him that she can never pick up on. You should know better than anyone how much Illumi would love to live with you."

Despite Chrollo's words, Hisoka still didn't feel it. Or maybe... Hisoka doesn't want Illumi living with him. Ever since bringing up the orphanage to Illumi, he felt he had done something wrong. He hates that Illumi knows that about him. That he knows he has no family. He hates that he could accidentally slip up on more about how gross his past is. If Illumi lived with Hisoka, Illumi might have to see all that.

"Something wrong?" Chrollo inquires, cleaning up Hisoka's dishes.

"No, but your plan isn't helpful. I can ask Illumi, but what about Killua?"

"You could give the boys your apartment and then live with Illumi somewhere else... We both know Illumi doesn't like your place."

They share a laugh. No, Illumi hated Hisoka's apartment. Too small for the rich man's taste. Despite that, Illumi liked being there because of Hisoka. Illumi expressed often that he prefered a more modernly styled home.

"But can we leave Killua and Gon there?"

"Worried for the kid?" Chrollo smiles. "You know Gon can take care of himself. He just turned seventeen, so only a year until he doesn't need a guardian. I'm sure you can live away from him for the year in between."

"I'm not his legal guardian, his aunt is. She just lives too far."

"See! He's already living away from her. Give him and Killua the apartment. We can all give them frequent visits."

"This is if Illumi wants to live with me," Hisoka sighs dramatically in response.

"Dumbass," Chrollo shakes his head. "Just ask him. You'll see... And oh! I need you to stop by my place this Saturday."

"What? Why?" Hisoka frowns.

"A project I'm working on, I need some help."

"Alright, I can do that," Hisoka stands up. "I think I'm gonna go see Illumi."

"Of course you are," Chrollo chuckles. "Get going."

Hisoka shakes his head. "What time Saturday?" He asks as he leaves.

"Noon!"