Author's Note: Last chapter! Thank you to everyone who read this story, it's my very first self insert and it's one of the fics I've worked the hardest to make good. I couldn't resist adding in the song (Camera Shy), the lyrics just seemed so fitting. Also, if you can figure out the show reference, you get a cookie! Thank you again and please enjoy!
There is no hope for you and me,
'Cause this long drive might be (the last time I take the wheel)
You're not sure how you feel
I think the spotlight
Always gives you stage fright
Wish this song would end right
Wish that you would stop
Making my head spin
Over and over, it's over, but what if we...
We just pretend?
"E-excuse me!"
Miu watched as the girl staggered to her feet and bowed to Hisoka in apology; when she bent down, her ample cleavage was incredibly visible due to the swooping neckline on the otherwise modest dress.
"It's no trouble."
The girl blushed heavily and looked up at Hisoka with wide, beseeching eyes. "Really? You don't...hate me?"
"I don't care." Hisoka turned to Miu. "See, I told you."
"Dammit." Miu held out a few bills, but frowned before forking them over. "Wait, that was just one instance. I need more proof-"
"Hello, would you mind taking a survey for our cake shop?"
It was another extremely cute and busty young woman, but this one's eyes were sharp and her mouth set in a cold frown as she handed Hisoka a flier.
"Certainly, I do like cake." Hisoka gestured for Miu to pay attention.
"Oh...I like cake too…" The girl's frown faded and there was a sudden, faint blush on her face. "N-not that I like it because you do, I just-!"
"Wow, you really weren't kidding." Miu stared in awe as the girl turned her head and folded her arms in a prissy stance; despite this, the bright flush still stained her otherwise pale porcelain cheeks.
"Told you so~"
"No one likes a bragger." Miu shoved the bills at Hisoka who licked his thumb and counted them leisurely. "So, why is this place...um…"
"Lovey dovey? Amourous? Romantic?" Hisoka raised an eyebrow and smirked. "I wouldn't expect you to get into it, but the City of Aiai is famous for this sort of thing. It is fun when you're bored."
"I just think it's kinda creepy how everyone acts like a character from a dating sim." Miu scanned their surroundings; every girl was participating in some activity or other that was the perfect setup for a romantic encounter. They all had their own distinct features, but they all looked incredibly attractive, not to mention their looks fitted every dating character stereotype. The tsundere, the clutz, the shy cutie, the tomboy, the proper lady, the flirt, etc. It was all one big game; no wonder he thought it amusing.
Hisoka poked Miu's cheek. "Don't get too distracted now. It's easy to get swept away in these theatrics, particularly for clueless people like you who aren't experienced players of these sort of game scenarios."
"Hey, just because I haven't actually played a lot of dating sims, doesn't mean I don't have common sense. All you really have to do is stay away from the people right? Besides, I'm not attracted to women so I'm not in any danger."
"Aren't you worried one of these voluptuous beauties will charm me away from your side?"
Miu laughed. "Seriously? As far as I can see the only thing that makes you double take is a good opponent, so unless any of these chicks can put the smack down or something, I'd say you're safe. Hey, so what is your deal anyway?"
"My deal?"
"You know, which team do you bat for? One, both, all of them?"
"I don't follow baseball."
"Right. Well, it doesn't matter. Anyone you're interested in should be scared."
Hisoka raised an eyebrow. "Just so we're on the same page, you do realize I've been the one ravishing you for months now?"
Miu rolled her eyes as they strolled along the stone road; even the streets were tinted pink. Not that she disliked the color, but some variety would be nice.
"I mean if you genuinely fell in love with someone; you'd be that psycho character type. Nice and unassuming on the outside, crazy asylum patient on the inside. Nah wait...you come off too malicious…"
"I think the term eccentric or whimsical fits me better."
"Crazy people don't know they're crazy." Miu countered.
"As if you're that much better; you yourself admitted seeing no problem with how I conduct my pleasures." Hisoka smiled. "What does that say about you?"
"It says I'm not stupid enough to think anything I can say would really have an impact on you." Miu replied.
"Hm, you do know me so well. Maybe the saccharine atmosphere of this quaint little town will inspire me."
Miu gawked at him. "Don't tell me you're gonna start shit here? God, why don't you just kick a two legged puppy?"
Hisoka laughed softly. "Well, I was thinking something a bit more tame. For starters, how about we go in and have some cake? I'm famished and I know you're always hungry."
"I'm not always hungry….I just like food. Besides, I better get something out of coming here."
Hisoka held the door open for her.
"Thanks. Anyway-oh wow."
Miu looked around as they entered the cake shop; it was decked out with pink, red, and white decorations and the air smelled of honey and flowers. In fact, there were vases of flowers on every table, along with couples feeding each other, giggling privately at their own conversations, and even just smiling at each other dumbly without saying a word.
"This is so fucking weird…" Miu couldn't help stare openly. "This can't be a real place."
"Miu, won't you sit down?" Hisoka had pulled out a chair for her.
"Thanks." Miu said with some apprehension, sincerely believing he might pull it back out at the last minute. "Aren't you a gentleman…"
"How about I get our cake?"
"I-"
But before she could say anything, Hisoka was already on his way to the counter where a shy looking, pink faced woman was stuttering out a greeting.
"I guess even guys like Hisoka can get attention in this place; he looks like a dating sim character when he's wearing normal clothes. But seriously, what is it that makes people act so weird here? Air pollution? Radiation in the water?"
Miu looked at the bouquet of roses placed in the center of her table. They were deep purple roses and she curiously touched one of the petals only to find it was real. Miu leaned over to sniff at them just to make sure.
"Do you like them?"
A server came over, this one a tall, older looking man.
"Oh...oh my..."
"Excuse me?"
Miu smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, uh, they're nice. I've never seen real purple roses."
"Thank you miss, we grow them right in this town." the man smiled warmly. "It's a great export of ours too, especially since purple roses have a special meaning to go with their color."
"Purple usually means royalty, right?"
"Yes, that's right." he smiled encouragingly and gently plucked one of the roses with the fullest petals. "But a purple rose specifically means enchantment or love at first sight. Fitting for this place, you agree?"
"Yeah."
Truthfully, Miu would agree with anything that came out of this guys mouth; she usually wasn't one to get so distracted by a hot guy, but this hot guy was just her type. Large build, short cropped hair, stubble, a strong, but gentle aura, and the warmest eyes she'd ever seen; he almost looked too roughly masculine to be working in such a cutesy establishment.
"Miss?"
"Oh sorry. They're so pretty, it's a bit distracting. The roses are pretty, I mean."
"Yes. Pretty things are distracting." he was looking right at her now.
Mindy snorted loudly as she giggled, before slapping a hand over her mouth. "S-sorry!"
The man laughed kindly. "Don't be. They say men are more attracted to a girl who snorts when she laughs; you can't fake a laugh like that."
"Oh….so, what's your name?"
He tapped his name tag with a grin. "Nero."
"Ah, right." Miu wanted to slap herself. "My name's Miu Morine; it's nice to meet you. I gotta say, this place is a bit overwhelming."
"It would be for people visiting, but you get used to it after a time." Nero assured Miu, eyes scanned her face appraisingly. "Here."
Miu felt her spine tingle as he tucked the rose in her hair.
"It goes great with your eyes; they're so big and expressive. They're enchanting." Nero grinned almost bashfully. "Hey, Miu is written to mean 'beautiful feather'?"
"Oh, yes."
"It suits you. May I call you Mi-chan?"
Miu nodded mutely.
"Well, I need to go back to work. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to make your visit here more enjoyable."
"Thank you." Miu sighed as soon as Nero was out of earshot; his back muscles were constricted under the tight, white button down and she could see them shift with every step he took. "I could get used to this place."
"Enjoying the view?"
Miu was still zoned out and it took her a second to conjure up a reply.
"Hm...?"
Hisoka, who was holding two pieces of cake, was also standing in front of Miu's line of sight as she tried to watch Nero,
"Miu, I know this city can heighten feelings of affection, but don't you think staring at me so blatantly is a bit shameless?"
Hisoka chuckled as he set down the little plates; he sat across from Miu and rested his cheek in his hand, eyes staring her down and glinting with mischief.
"Naughty girl...we're in public you know."
"Mhm...thanks…"
Miu was holding her fork midair, poised to take a bite of the pastry, but she was more busy craning her neck to see over Hisoka's head; to her slight disappointment, Nero was talking to an extremely cute waitress with sky blue eyes. Nero stopped suddenly and his gaze caught Miu's and he waved without any embarrassment; Miu ducked her head, feeling her cheeks burn as she heard his deep laugh.
"Miu, I got your favorite chocolate cake."
Hisoka carefully cut a piece with his knife, picking it up with his fork. With a flirtatious smile, he held it to her lips.
"I know I may be distracting, but you should really eat it while it's still hot from the oven."
Miu gasped and put her hands to her cheeks; Nero was stripping his shirt off slowly, right there by the fireplace without any regard for who might be drooling.
"Oh my god!" Miu squealed softly as he took the axe by the coal bin and bid his coworker farewell as he walked to the shop's exit. Just before Nero left, he threw a quick smile in Miu's direction.
"Oh," Nero took Miu's hand that was still lightly clutching the fork; he stuck a piece of cake on it and held it to her lips. "Good choice, this one's super sweet."
Miu struggled not to scream in delight as Nero fed her; with a satisfied smile, he let go of her hand.
"Is it good?"
Miu nodded quickly.
"I'm glad you like it Mi-chan. If you need me, I'll be out front doing some chores, okay?"
Miu nodded again; as Nero left, she turned in her seat to stare out the window after him, taking in as much of Nero's bared chest and arms as she could. He was currently raising the heavy axe over his head, his stomach tightening and forearms taut as he brought it down on block after block of wood.
"Mi-chan?"
"This is the life…"
Miu brought another forkful of cake to her mouth, giggling at the sweetness as she watched Nero hard at work; she imagined herself sitting on the patio of a nice little cottage, calling him in for cool lemonade as he finished up chores for the day, wiping sweat from his furrowed brow, the tiredness evaporating from his face as he caught sight of her, his loyal wife-
"Don't drool too much. You might choke on your own spit."
The cold voice cut through Miu's fantasy; she blinked and shook her head that felt full of cotton for some reason.
"Huh?"
"Mi-chan? What, is that your avatar name?" Hisoka asked in a clipped tone. "And here I thought you didn't play dating sims."
"This isn't a dating sim. This is awesome." Miu turned her head back to the window; Nero was still chopping away diligently without looking so much as winded. She wondered what those strong hands and arms would feel like-
"Is it hot in here or is it just your hormones raging?"
"Why-?" Miu felt her face; it was burning hot. "Oh...it is kind of warm. I wonder if Nero is thirsty."
"Isn't it a bit odd to be splitting up firewood in the middle of summer?"
"Who gives a shit?" Miu laughed incredulously as she glanced over at Nero, who was lifting a bundle of kindling in his arms. "I know this, that man could split me in half anytime."
Hisoka made a strange sound in his throat.
"Did I say that out loud? Shit, did he hear me?" Miu slapped a hand to her face. "Hisoka, look over for me."
Hisoka's hands itched for his cards. "I wouldn't mind splitting him in half."
"Hey, I saw him first!"
Hisoka blinked. "You do realize the only reason that man is acting so nice is because of this town's influence? He's merely playing a part, most likely the older brother figure or the refreshing boy next door."
"Are you sure? You know, he's pretty low key; maybe he's not a native."
"This isn't a remote island."
"Might as well be; I feel like we landed in another country." Miu mumbled as she glanced around at the couples still obliviously mooning over each other. "I don't get what your problem is; you are the one who insisted we stop by and have fun."
"Do you know how embarrassing you're being?" Hisoka smirked; he already had a plan formulated. The quickest way to snap Miu out of this spell was to bring her crashing back to reality and the quickest way to do that was to make her angry. And then they could get to some real fun.
"Me? What the hell does that mean?"
Hisoka smiled as she set down her fork a bit roughly. "Just what it sounds like; come on, it must have crossed your mind that he probably does this routine to every girl who comes in here. Not to mention, you just look like an easy target."
"What?!"
"Well, we both know you love cake and it shows." Hisoka looked her up and down. "He's probably manipulating you for tips or to promote sales, most places like this do that even in a normal setting. Don't get me wrong, you're cute enough, but you don't hold a candle to the women in this town, in looks or personality. Even if this man had more genuine intentions, he'd be running for the hills the second you let that uncouth tongue of your slip or the sloppy way you eat or that obnoxious cackle of yours. You simply don't fit in a place like this; he's probably shocked you fit through the door..."
Miu's eyes were narrowed and as she grit her teeth, seemingly unable to form a sentence due to her rage; Hisoka grinned back casually as she gripped onto her fork and broke it. His expression brightened even more as he noticed Nero was heading over to their table with a cup of tea.
"Oh here he comes. Why not show him just what I mean?"
Miu's hand were shaking by now; in fact, so were her shoulders, or more accurately they were jerking up and down tensely as she bit her lip harder to stop it from wobbling.
Hisoka felt his face go pale. "Wait a-oh dear…"
"W-what the hell's your problem?"
Miu sniffed and her glare was dropped as tears spilled out of her eyes; she whimpered pitifully in shame as Nero caught sight of her.
"Mi-chan?"
"I-I'm sorry, I'm fine."
Miu covered her face quickly, voice coming out thick and muffled as she weeped into her hands. Nero crouched down next to her, one hand on her knee as he tried to coax her to look at him; the other patrons had completely dropped their conversations and the lovestruck atmosphere was now incredibly tense as couples were whispering worriedly to each other.
"Mi-chan, I brought you some tea." Nero was rubbing her head consolingly as Miu sobbed softly into her palms. "What's the matter? You can tell me, your visit here should be a nice one."
Hisoka was staring on blankly. "My course of action may have been too excessive…"
"I'm s-sorry, I really just want to go."
"Can I escort you to your place? Are you staying in one of the hotels?"
"Oh drop the act will you? It's getting old."
Nero stared at Hisoka in confusion while Miu's sobs stopped; she abruptly raised her splotchy face to glare at Hisoka.
"No, you drop the act! You're just mad because I'm having fun and you're not the center of everything; well fuck you!" Miu spat out as she rose from her seat quickly. "You petty freak, you go on about that Machi girl but the one time I-"
To Miu's surprise Hisoka was suddenly beaming.
"Is that what all this was about? Were you trying to make me jealous because you felt insecure?" Hisoka stood up and went to Miu's side, shoving Nero to the ground unceremoniously. "That's so adorable. You know there's no need to be jealous, you have your own charms-"
"Oh please! I'm not jealous you arrogant prick, I'm pissed 'cause you're a hypocrite! It's such bullshit. You see I'm having a good time at this dumb place and all you care about your stupid ego! And what the fuck are you all staring at?! Yeah, I fucking cursed!" Miu whirled around at the stunned customer and staff. "And I'm not that feminine and I'm fat, but at least I'm not some fake, spiteful-!"
Miu growled incoherently and pushed Hisoka out of her way, sending him crashing into the wall; she tore the rose out of her hair, face twisted in sadness as she turned to Nero.
"I...look, thanks for the flower and all, but I gotta get out of here. Good luck."
Miu tossed it to him and yanked the entrance door open, ignoring Hisoka as he lifted himself from the pile of rubble. "Screw you guys, I'm going home!"
The shop fell completely silent as Miu stormed away; Hisoka was sitting up and sighed heavily, licking blood off his lips from where his face had smashed into the debris.
"That could've gone better…"
Nero took the rose in his lap and looked at Hisoka through dazed eyes. "What did you do?"
"I don't see how that's any of your business. I will pay for the damages though." Hisoka stood up and pulled out his Hunter license, handing it to the shaking manager.
Nero played with the roses petals. "Wait, so then...she's single?"
A card cut the top of the rose clean off in a millisecond.
"Uh, nevermind."
This isn't right you said
It takes some time you know
Let's try again tonight
This fight is getting old
I think the spotlight, always gives you stage fright
Wish this song would end right, wish that you would stop
Making my head spin
We're young but, old enough to build up
Falling walls and false love
Wish this song would end
I wish this song would end
A few hours later Mindy woke up on her side, head tucked under thick sheets; she felt so warm and comfortable, she momentarily forgot where she was as she struggled to rouse herself from the deep sleep.
"What time is it…?" Miu hummed and stretched under the blanket; she pried her eyes open over the edge of the cover and saw that night had fallen over the city from the hotel's floor length window.
She had gone straight back to the hotel room, punched her pillow for a few minutes, and decided to take a nap to sooth her pounding headache over Hisoka's jackassery. Miu's bones felt somewhat stiff from lying in the same position since the middle of the day, and she slowly switched to a half sitting position while looking around dazedly for her phone.
"About time you woke up sleeping beauty." Hisoka whispered as he trailed a finger up and down the back of her neck.
"Since you're a magician, how 'bout you make yourself disappear?" Miu didn't bother to look at him as she checked her phone's clock. It was well into the evening, just a bit past eight.
"You know I didn't really mean any of that back there, right? I was just feeling a little grumpy since you were ignoring me." Hisoka leaned on his elbow and surveyed her with a pout. "You know I don't like to share my toys."
Miu glanced over at him. "So you admit to being childish?"
"Perhaps." Hisoka conceded, brushing his bangs from his eyes as he gave Miu a bashful simper; his rippled stomach was accentuated by the way his pants rode low on his hips. Miu grimaced as he smirked at her line of sight.
"Can you blame me? You were acting so peculiar and this was supposed to be a little trip for us, not a chance for you to ignore me."
"You were only upset because you're an attention whore."
He shrugged. "You didn't really want to run off with that brainwashed fool, did you?"
"No, and even if I did, that's not the-oh whatever." Miu rolled her eyes in exasperation; attempting to get Hisoka to see reason would just bring on another headache. She knew well that if it wasn't under his terms, heck even if they were, he'd never completely admit blame.
"You know, for a guy who's supposed to love me, you sure are being selfish."
Hisoka laid down on his stomach. "I was lying; didn't you know that?"
"Yes."
"Actually, I wasn't; well, I guess it depends."
"On?"
"I love your strength." Hisoka grinned seductively. "I love the way your tummy jiggles when I poke it. I love when you get so angry with me you can't hold back from violence. I love when you take me too seriously or when things fly over your head; everything about you provides me with delight."
"That's not loving someone dumbass. When you love someone, you don't just love how they appeal to you." Miu rolled her eyes. "Real love is about doing things for the sake of their happiness too, not just keeping them around for your own amusement."
Hisoka yawned. "Well, what about this? I love how you're the first person to really like me."
Miu couldn't help smile grudgingly. "Well yeah, you would."
Hisoka scooted over and hugged her hips, pressing his face in the small of her back. "And you're the first person who's let me become intimate with them."
Miu whipped her head to look down at him. "Are you saying you haven't slept with anyone before me? Then again, maybe that's not too far fetched…"
Hisoka pinched her thigh sharply, ducking when Miu made to slap his ear. "Occasionally in the past after a particularly...stimulating fray, I find myself all worked up. Sometimes I need a little help relieving myself."
"So you jack off?"
Hisoka looked up at her through his eyelashes. "Why do you say that? Would you like a demonstration?"
At Miu's stony silence he continued his story.
"Anyway, the primary way to seek my relief was through monetary trade."
"Oh, so you hired a prostitute? Yeah, that makes sense."
"May I finish?" Hisoka asked with a hint of impatience. "As you may know, most people find me too off putting due to my notoriety, and I've found myself without a willing bedmate."
"Shocker…."
"And so," Hisoka said loudly; Miu shrugged but remained silent. "You're the first person who's let me be intimate with them willingly. Can you believe it? Some people just have no sense of adventure; you'd think I was some untouchable monster."
Miu maintained her silence for a few seconds before speaking up hesitantly. "Ya know I have to say, if you were someone else, I might feel special."
"And just why don't you now?"
"Because I'm not special to you, and I know you too well by now for you to trick me into thinking otherwise. The only reason you even feel offended is because you want me to see you as special for yourself. You don't care about my opinion."
Hisoka cocked his head to the side and looked at her quizzically. "So...if I confessed my love for you right now, you wouldn't believe it?"
"Nah."
"Too bad." Hisoka sat up and leaned an arm on his propped up knee. "I thought it might be funny if you did fall for yours truly."
"Who says I haven't?"
Hisoka stared at the back of Miu's head, at her tensed up shoulders and back as she pointedly avoided his gaze; he smiled and chuckled.
"Then I guess you're more foolish than I was led to believe."
"Psych." Miu flicked his nose with a childish giggle. "Gotcha!"
"Oh no. I got you."
Miu was thrown down on her back, Hisoka's arms caging either side of her head as he loomed over her. She sighed and her hot breath tickled his chin; the whole scene was making him chuckle. Leave it to Miu to be staring up at him with the most deadpan expression she could muster, despite her vulnerable position.
"You seem to enjoy those empty words that man spoke earlier...how about I try it?"
Miu let out a bark of laughter. "Hisoka, no offense, but you don't exactly scream romantic. I mean, if you were a route option, it'd be a bad ending or a villainous side character."
"I was thinking we could just skip to the climax." Hisoka leaned in teasingly, holding himself up now on his elbows and letting his lower half hover just above her. "What if I told you….you've allowed a trace of warmth into an otherwise cold and lonesome life?"
"And you were calling those people cliche?"
"It's the truth. I found you by chance really, expecting you to be nothing more than an exciting source of entertainment until the day I ended your life. I had it all planned so carefully you know, but then…"
Miu's lips were set in a straight line; Hisoka pressed his palm against her cheek and sighed. He was still smiling
"As time went by, I found I just couldn't dismiss you so easily like everyone else; knowing I was such an important catalyst for your transformation thrilled me and when the time came for you to grow into your own person, into my worthy opponent, my equal...I was disappointed."
"Disappointed? It's what you wanted."
"But as time went by, I was no longer a priority. I was just another person in a long line of people who came to know you. I was no longer the one closest to your heart. It made me resentful."
"I would say petty…." Miu mentioned quietly.
"It's your own fault; you tease me by giving me everything and nothing."
Miu felt her cheek grow hot under his palm.
"You've given me your admiration, your friendship, your smile, your tears, your past, your time, even your body." Hisoka let his hips rest on top of hers completely, taking her face in both of his hands to make her look him in the eye. "You indulge me and tolerate me and accept me without asking me to change a thing, but you won't follow through."
Miu's brow was furrowed in sincere confusion; she was always the one open about her feelings and intentions and like Hisoka stated, she had never expected anything more of him than he was willing to do. She was probably the closest thing to a normal, human attachment he would receive and the closest he would ever want to be to another person.
"Hisoka, you know I'm not that smart; you gotta at least try to-what are you talking about? What's the problem?"
"You."
Miu surveyed Hisoka, the look in her eyes potrayed obvious suspicion over her confusion; even so, she let him continue.
"You refuse to give me what's most precious to your heart. It's unfair...I've let you closer than anyone else. Don't you see? I leave when you're crying because it pains me to see you sad, knowing you need to cry and anything I say would make it worse. I killed because I wanted to protect you. I threatened Wing because I knew you would die in that tournament without learning nen. I kissed you because I had never seen you look more gorgeous than when you're helpless under my power. I choked you to make you stop speaking because your words wouldn't stop echoing in my mind. I tricked you into believing I was dead because I needed to know I still meant something to you. I tried to keep my distance, but you made it so impossible; don't you think I've realized if anyone were to ever find it in themselves to love me, it'd be you? Don't you see how tempting that is, even to a man like me? I am only human after all; but you saw that already, haven't you?"
Hisoka chuckled softly at Miu's expression. "Don't I even have a chance? You've shown how kind you can be, even to people who don't deserve it."
Hisoka leaned over to suck just under Miu's ear, burying his nose in his hair as he embraced her until their bodies were pressed flush together. He could almost feel her rapid heartbeat through her shirt, through his own skin and flesh and bone.
"Can't you even try to love me, just a little? You probably hate me and I can't play the role of the knight in shining armor, but I really did try you know. I even tried to stay away when you left Heaven's Arena...do you remember the tarot cards?"
"The one's we...but they don't mean anything. They're just cards."
"My feelings were symbolized by the High Priestess, a woman I care for who inspires me." Hisoka insisted firmly as his grip tightened. "The cards foretold of me wanting something out of reach and the obstacle standing in my way: my own personal conflicts; my fear was a rival threatening my peace, our fragile little bond. All those people I have to compete with and my own struggle to remain impartial to you had hindered me, but the cards said change would bring me my happiness. I would have to change my ways, but the outcome would entail me having to give up something, to make a decision. I didn't realize what it meant at the time; I dismissed it. I knew to have your love I would have to tell you the truth for once. I guess it's a bit late."
"You…"
Miu stared at the ceiling, eyes open and unblinking as Hisoka rested his forehead against hers. It was all too much to process.
"I do love you by the way. I mean, as much as I'm capable of loving anyone….which is never enough."
Hisoka smiled regretfully, closing his eyes as he chuckled weakly, seemingly laughing at the ridiculousness of it all, at the irony, at himself. He took a breath and sighed.
"I'm sorry...I'm making you cry again."
He fell silent as Miu's shoulders shook under his hands and he pressed his forehead closer to hers; finally, he would get a proper reaction.
"You totally stole that!"
Hisoka's eyes flew open to see big brown one's twinkling in mirth; Miu was laughing in his face, the only thing keeping her from doubling over was his body still pressed against hers.
"Excuse me?"
"The show about the talking horse I made you watch, you stole that last line!" Miu cackled and snorted as loud as she ever had. "I mean, I knew something was up when you kept using those cheesy ass lines, but did you really think I'd just not notice?!"
Hisoka smiled despite himself. "I suppose I got too into the role. You have to admit, I had your heart racing for a moment, didn't I?"
Miu panted and tried to calm down her giggles. "Okay, okay, you almost had me for like, a second. Honestly, it was pretty obvious; the tarot card thing was a nice touch though."
Hisoka rolled on his side, keeping one arm loosely on her waist. "Oh well. I suppose I really can't fool you."
Miu shook her head in mild exasperation. "I mean, everything you were saying was straight out of one of those old romance mangas. I saw that bullshit coming a mile away."
"Cynical aren't we? You don't think people can change for love?"
Miu sent him a disbelieving look. "Would you?"
"Good point. Though, you are special." Hisoka offered. "You just need to accept it and stop being so modest."
Miu scoffed. "Oh yeah?"
"How do I put it…? Broken toys don't do a thing for me, but I would attempt to patch you up." Hisoka said bracingly. "I may even keep you around for kicks; you are my favorite toy."
"Wow. Lucky me."
Hisoka quirked an eyebrow and smirked. "Adorably feisty too. Now, tell me something; how much of what I said was a lie?"
"All of it."
"Are you sure?"
Miu turned over and burrowed herself into Hisoka's chest. "Pretty damn sure."
He smiled fondly and began stroking her hair, half tempted to rip out a few strands to incite her rage; it'd been far too long since she had landed a good punch on him. And it was cute to hear her curse him; it was one thing he was sure he'd never grow bored of.
"So, I take it there's no hope for you and me?"
Miu traced his collarbone with a finger. "No...well, maybe, but…"
"Hm?"
"No more wearing heels. They look tacky."
"...was that a joke?"
Miu beamed. "Yeah, sure."
You'll play the love and baby I'll play the lead
So strike a pose and fake a smile you're coming with me
I'll strum my guitar, 'cause girl I know how you are
You're just a little bit camera shy but you're still a star