Machi had thankfully been able to convince Hisoka to leave and not join her for lunch. She had spent most of the day with him and just wanted to decompress. She plopped face down on her bed, sighing dramatically into her pillows, as the weight of the mornings events fell onto her. Her head felt expanded as she tried to plan her next moves. She knew Hisoka was right about moving, and he had actually come with a plan in mind, making the whole ordeal much easier on her, but now she had another issue.
She just wasn't sure she would feel comfortable staying at Hisoka's apartment, no matter how little he used it, it wasn't her home. She felt like she wouldn't be in control living there. While she couldn't really keep him out of her apartment, it would be much easier for him to break into his own. It would also be so much quicker for him to come over, which could be bad or good depending on the situation. If there was one thing Machi needed most in the world, it was a level of control.
She huffed loudly, trying to release her tension but keep a level head. Getting worked up and angry wouldn't help her. She was going to move in to this apartment, but she would set boundaries with Hisoka. If he wanted anything to do with this kid, he'd listen to her instructions.
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The next three days Machi had busied herself with packing all the dishware, toiletries, and clothing she could. She almost had to go buy boxes to pack with since she didn't have any laying around, but Hisoka had dropped some off, mentioning that he had unpacked the stuff that was in them for the apartment. He had given her a list of things she shouldn't need to bring, but she ignored it. She liked her stuff and would rather use it than whatever he had kept packed away for so many years. To her pleasure, that was the only interaction she had with him those past days. He had apparently been busy getting ready for a fight at Heaven's Arena, excited to be getting closer to being a floor master.
Machi rolled her eyes at all his texts. Even though he wasn't around, he still succeeded in bothering her with his check-ins. He would text to remind her to eat and ask how she was feeling. All of this was so un-Hisoka, and it made her even more wary of being around him. She still worried he had some big, convoluted plan to trick her and make her look like some sort of fool.
She had turned her notifications off by the second day of Hisoka's incessant messages and thrown herself into prepping for the Troupe's next meeting. She needed to find out more about the level of security they should be expecting and she even thought she could find a layout of the parameter, then could deduct where control panels would be located. This distraction was well needed and helped her relax, making the day go by much faster.
When she did look up from her work, pleased with what she had accomplished, the sky was the Ombrè style of reds and blues, stars just starting to line the darkness on the opposite side of the horizon. Machi opened her large window and breathed in the warm night air, smiling slightly at how calm she felt. She hadn't been able to feel so at ease since finding out she was pregnant. Every day she woke up wondering how it would all turn out, what mistakes she would have to look out for, and if any of this would be worth it. She closed the window, leaving it open a crack to allow the breeze in, before making her way to her bed and laying down for the night.
Hisoka smirked, both pleased with himself for having such good Zetsu and from feeling the calming waves of aura coming from Machi. He knew he had been a bit overbearing with his texting her every hour or so, but he just wanted her to know how often she popped into his mind. He had been training all day, both physically and mentally, knowing he would need a clear head for his next fight, but he couldn't completely concentrate. Machi continued to come up and his mind wandered to what she was doing, if she was grumbling about how much she hated him as she packed, if she was sleeping and eating well, and if she was as excited about everything as he was. He had originally planned to come and join her in bed, start with a sensual message and hopefully move onto something more erotic, but seeing her so at ease caused him to change his mind. They would have plenty of time for that in the future.
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Machi was woken up by the sound of sizzling and the smell of meat and butter. She opened a single eye and tilted her head to glance into the kitchen. Hisoka was there, standing by her small stove and appearing quite focused on whatever he was doing. She sat up and stretched, letting out a groan as her body flexed and her bones cracked.
"Morning sunshine." Hisoka hummed from the kitchen.
"You're not going to continue breaking and entering after I move, are you?" she responded, walking over to her recliner.
"I won't have to, considering I have a key."
"You know, even though it's your apartment, that doesn't mean you can just come in whenever you want. I like my privacy."
"I understand." He said, setting a plate of eggs, ham and toast in front of her.
He sat down in his usual place on the love seat, eating his own plate of food. Machi looked at the food and him questionably, she had never known him to be a cook. He tended to order out or eat food that didn't require any prep. The meal did look good though and she was starving, so she pushed her concern aside and dug in, getting up to get water and a second helping after a few minutes.
"So, just these few boxes and bags?" Hisoka asked, placing his paper plate on the coffee table.
"I want to bring the recliner, too."
"Why?"
"I like it." She shrugged.
Hisoka nodded with a small grin, "Alright."
"And the shelves." Machi added.
Hisoka sighed, "As you wish."
Machi eyed him again, he was still being pleasant, not putting up any kind of fight or teasing her like he usually would.
"You might as well start packing some boxes while I finish. I want to get this over with." She ordered.
Hisoka's smile seemed to tighten, but he didn't say anything as he stood and started to grab some random boxes. Machi ignored him as he moved around her room, putting her attention onto her food. She was not looking forward to spending a whole day with him and having to be in close quarters on top of it. Hopefully once she was moved in he would be focused on his fighting goals at the arena and she'd be left alone for the most part.
She sighed, throwing her plate in the garbage on her way to the kitchen. She started to clean the dishes Hisoka had dirtied while making breakfast, they would be coming with her and she didn't want them dirty. As she finished placing the last pan in the drying rack, Hisoka was suddenly behind her, so close she could feel his breathing. It didn't throw her off though, she was used to him just popping up now a-days. He had always liked having the element of surprise, trying to scare people.
"The car is packed." He stated.
"Good." She sighed, moving past him to leave.
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The two had made great time, getting all the boxed goods moved in within two hours. Hisoka had managed to move her recliner by himself, with the use of his Bungee Gum and the large balcony doors. Machi had busied herself with unpacking her clothes and bedroom items. She had gotten the book shelf in herself, despite Hisoka's complaints, and was planning to unload her collections of novels today.
As she looked around the room, her busy mind started to settle and she was coming to terms with how much her life had changed in just a week. She had decided to have a baby with a person she can barely stand and was now moving into his apartment. By next week she would be talking to Chrollo, having to admit to getting knocked up and probably be fired from the group. Then what would she do with her life? She could still get paid to stitch people together, but not many could afford her and she didn't like the idea of a regular, average joe job.
The many questions started to pile on Machi and the unknown that she thought was far away suddenly happened upon her. She stopped unpacking her clothes and stared down at the bed, her mind spinning with uncertainties. Hisoka happened to come in, setting a box down on the foot of the bed, standing next to Machi.
"You have quite a bit of work to do and I thought you didn't have much." Hisoka joked.
Machi gave no reaction though, she barely acted like she knew he was there. Hisoka was used to her ignoring his comments, but he could feel her energy was like a grey cloud. He had always been attracted to her fiery personality, hidden by her emotionless expressions, so naturally he wanted to bring that back.
"What is on your mind, Machi?" he hummed lightly.
"Nothing." She said drowsily, turning to go to the closet.
Hisoka reached his left hand out, catching her around the waist and pulling her back towards him. He turned his hips to face the same way she was, pressing his body tight to hers and resting his chin on her left shoulder.
"Now, now. You know I won't let it go that easily. So," he whispered, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, "start talking."
Machi inhaled, being confronted about her obvious discomfort managed to push her over. The tears were collecting behind her bottom lids and she felt her throat closing and her mouthwatering. Hisoka was never going to let her live this moment of weakness down, but she had lost her cool demeanor and he had noticed.
"I guess I'm just a little worried." She shrugged, turning her face away.
"About what?" he pried, almost singing.
Machi sighed, her annoyance only increasing her emotional distress, "Everything."
Hisoka chuckled with closed lips, "Try to be more specific."
Machi growled, clenching her fists, "Fine. I've had to leave my home in order to have room for our bastard child, I have to tell my boss, co-workers, and friends that I'm pregnant and will probably be cast out, and, the root of my problems, this baby. I need to be asking myself so many questions and having answers prepared and I don't even know where to start! I just don't even know why I decided to go through with this."
By the end of her rant, Machi's tears were rolling down her face slowly and singularly. She managed to keep her breathing even for the most part, only exhaling shakily a few times. Hisoka's smile had faded to a straight line but his aura stayed light as he turned to sit on the bed, pulling Machi to stand in between his legs.
"Machi, Machi, Machi." He said, shaking his head, "Didn't I tell you I would take care Chrollo? I'll make sure you are utilized in some way. As for the apartment? I'm sure you'll grow to love it."
"It's just…. Not what I'm used to." She mumbled, avoiding eye contact.
Hisoka chuckled openly, "Oh Machi, you really don't like not being in control, do you? Listen," he continued, noticing Machi's side eye glare, "if you don't like it here after a week or so, I'll move you back in to your apartment and we'll figure something out. Deal?"
"Fine." Machi sniffled.
Hisoka smiled lazily, using his hand to turn Machi's face to him, "Machi, no parent has all the answers, but you are smart, decisive, and mature. You can handle anything this kid throws at you and if not," he leaned his forehead to touch hers, "I'll be there to help."
Machi stared at Hisoka's smiling face. He was completely peaceful and confident in their abilities; those feelings were palpable to Machi. She instantly felt better and her body relaxed, causing her to press her forehead back into his. She realized a moment later that she had actually found comfort in Hisoka's words. He had been sincere and given her a sense of control, no matter how simple. She pulled back, once again avoiding eye contact as she wiped the dried tears from her face and eyes.
"Ugh, I can't believe I'm being comforted by the likes of you." She grumbled.
"Yes, you are quite pathetic." He chuckled outwardly, earning an unimpressed look from Machi.
She grabbed her stack of clothes and walked into the large closet, wanting to put distance between herself and Hisoka, and the personal moment shared between them.
