Akane makes a promise to Hisoka.
In a small establishment off the main road, the sound of plates being carted to the kitchen compensates for the lack of idle chatter. Though it was a slow afternoon before the dinner rush, the staff politely checks on their two quiet patrons. Maybe it's a first date, thinks one of the waitresses after she delivers drinks to the booth.
"... Sorry. I don't know what to say," said Akane, finally breaking the silence. She had been moving restlessly on the cushioned seat, periodically glancing around to find a distraction.
"You have no obligation to say anything," Hisoka says, paying no mind to her frazzled state. He stirs his iced tea complacently with the vibrant paper umbrella, thoroughly enjoying himself.
To escape the chaos in the streets, Hisoka led Akane into a quiet diner to calm herself. Akane looked at the hot coffee in front of her and admired the latte art. Her eyes trace the hypnotic rose, petals encircling the circumference of the cup. With one sip, she surrenders her anxiety to comfort, feeling the warm drink pooling into her stomach and easing the tension.
Akane, who was lacking decision-making capacity, left everything to this stranger. And she was pleasantly surprised that he didn't order anything terrible or poisonous on her behalf. His gesture was… unexpectedly thoughtful.
Although Hisoka kept his eyes closed the whole time, his expression seemed to turn smug.
Ok, fine. She'll bite.
"Why did you order this for me?"
He opened one eye and smirked, "Because you like it."
Akane bit her lip, feeling embarrassed from being teased. She restated her question more specifically, "How did you know to order this for me?"
Hisoka took a sip from his drink and shrugged, "You still seem frightened, so I thought having something pretty to look at helps."
Akane suddenly felt warm when he stared at her intently, feeling vulnerable yet safe. After all, he was looking after her, right? Before deciding that Hisoka's gesture was genuinely considerate, her impression of him maintained when he spoke.
"Does looking at me help?" He smirks seductively.
You're not pretty , she thought to herself. His ego was so annoying to deal with. Suddenly, Hisoka laughed as if he read her mind. Akane flinched, second guessing if she accidentally mumbled that out loud.
"You had something witty to say. Why don't you start speaking your mind around me?" Hisoka asked, setting aside his drink. Akane had his full attention now. Might as well have fun while they were together.
She smoothed the mug handle with her thumb, "I don't want any hurt feelings."
"My pet, you can't hurt me- I promise," He waves two fingers to cross his heart, "I appreciate good banter."
"I was just thinking that words cannot express how pretty you are," Akane shifts in her seat, back straightening. She leaned in with a charming smile, the same smile she uses to greet customers.
Hisoka raised a brow. He loved compliments, but hoped to see another side of her. He snaps out of his thoughts when she takes a straw from the dispenser and unwraps half the paper.
"But numbers can," Her tone suddenly flattens and she scowls. For once, the smile was wiped clean. She blew into the straw, causing the wrapper to fly at his forehead. He could have easily dodged it, but he was too invested in this change of demeanor to interrupt, "Six out of ten."
That smug expression, paired with that witty reply, turned him on. He smirks, fashioning the paper wrapper into a rose and offers it to Akane, much to her surprise. She flusters and he laughs delightfully.
"Six out of ten? That's a passing grade." He lazily rests his chin on top of his hand, "I'm a teacher's pet. What can I do for extra credit, Miss Akane?"
Hisoka knows how easily she loses composure and he took great pleasure in that. Though, discovering her wit made him lust for it. This small window of her true self made him crave more. The tip of her ears turned bright red as she felt his eyes scan her, but she bravely pushed forward. She had to play his game if she wanted answers.
"Could you… Could you tell me what exactly happened?" Akane frowned and crossed her arms, as if to cradle herself, "How did I do that?"
Hisoka licks his lips playfully and focuses his attention back to the tiny umbrella. Shame, he wanted to play more.
"On one condition."
"What is it?"
"Be your honest self with me," Hisoka cooed. He pretends to stretch his legs too far and "accidentally" nudges her softly. He hums delightedly when she kicks back with force, their legs banging against the underside of the table and startles the chattering staff.
Good. No more niceties.
"I promise," she said, sounding pleased with herself. Akane copied his gesture and crossed her heart. He studied her carefully, weighing the options and consequences. Imagining Chrollo with her ability used to excite him to no end but now, the odds favored Akane to create her own potential.
"Good. We are becoming close friends aren't we?" He chuckles, eyes glinting with mischief, "Lucky for you, I will always be honest. Let's see… Let's start with Chrollo."
Hisoka explained how her powers worked; how her ability to alter light waves and frequencies was key to her success, how higher energy input can control gamma rays and trigger destruction, and how Chrollo targeted her skill for his own interest.
"He wants to take it from me?" Her voice strained, hands balled into fists.
It suddenly felt hot, despite sitting in the drafty part of the diner. The necessary winter layers felt too heavy. Akane felt flashes of anger and frustration. How could she fall for his sweet talk? How could she mistake his acts of valuation for interest?
She recalled the times he stopped by for a quick chat about music and science and politics, thinking it harmless. In reality, Chrollo was performing an appraisal. He looked at her the way a butcher assesses an optimal cut to mutton.
It should have raised a flag when he spoke of articles about physics but it only raised her impression of him, thinking him scholarly and unique. She was a lamb raised for slaughter.
How foolish of her to think otherwise.
The muffling noise of clamor and shouting grows louder, but she grips her fury tighter. Even the familiar sound of something crackling doesn't distract from her thoughts.
How dare he steal everything she worked for?
How dare he nullify her success after she climbed the rungs of society?
And how dare he mistake her kindness for weakness.
In the midst of anger, she felt a hand on hers. She looked up at the source of warmth to see Hisoka. This was the second time he pulled her out of the fray again.
Akane and Hisoka were still sitting in the booth, but they were no longer in the diner. Rather, the diner was around them. When fury waned, the familiar overwhelming sense of dread drowned her. She felt a chill breeze brush her leg, and realized it was more than a draft. The walls no longer stood upright. The roof had crumbled. The bare sky hung above them.
"I hate to interrupt you, my pet," Hisoka chuckled, admiring the destruction around them. His reaction reminded her of Gon, practically squirming in excitement for his first haircut, "As much as I like to stargaze, I think we must get going."
Hisoka made sure their booth was left unscathed, but she was sure that meant he didn't account for the innocent bystanders. Akane sprung to her feet and looked around frantically, scanning for any signs of a crushed body and praying that she didn't hurt anyone.
"Why didn't you stop me?!" She bawled, gripping her hair with frustration. Is this what she was capable of? Was she only capable of ravaging and destroying?
He sauntered smoothly to her side and took her palms into his once more.
"Because you promised," He replied matter-of-factly. He answered so simply, as if she asked him about the obvious. Again, she looked at him pleadingly, struggling to understand her place and power.
Hisoka rolled his eyes, but continued to smile. His pet was lucky that he had so much patience to spare. He gently tucked her hair behind ears with the tiny paper parasol, like how a prince would pin a flower into his lover's hair. Gingerly, he tilts her chin with his thumb, eyes glazing over her soft features. For the first time, he takes note of her uneven eyelids; her careful application of makeup to masquerade evenness, stability.
"You promised to be your honest self with me."