"The only thing that rivals your arrogance is your stubbornness," Illumi said in distaste. He leaned against the balcony, refusing to acknowledge the man who had just walked into his hotel suite. His long black hair was elegantly dancing in the night breeze.

Hisoka Morow had faced many fighters in the past and had seen many types of nen abilities. So many in fact that his recent battles were starting to get dull and repetitive. Boring never suited him well.

"Foolish man, idiotic clown."

Mockingly he said, "You always say the sweetest things to me, baby." With an arrogant smirk, the magician ran his fingers through his pink hair, his other hand moved to his hips. "I should be back in three months, four tops."

Hisoka had recently taken on a certain job involving some mysterious nen users. It was a group of female thieves making a name for themselves in the north. What made them stand out from the regular crooks and assassins was that in all their heist, not one murder took place. Instead, the villagers in the towns they ransacked would exhibit certain personality disorders.

Because of the low mortality rate a lot of hunters had jumped on the case. Few came back and those that did were different... Or at least those were the rumors. In any case, the job had gained enough fame to attract even Hisoka's attention.

"Even I wouldn't take on that job."

"Are you worried that the Morrow name will reach higher recognition than even the Zoldyck's? I know you like green but this might be taking it too far."

"I wouldn't take it because there is not enough intel. No one knows how many nen users they have, much less their ability's. Only fools fight blindly. " Illumi chided.

Hisoka closed the distance between them. Illumi has his back towards him and his arms resting on edge of the balcony wall. He didn't move when Hisoka leaned on the top of his back. The magician placed his head over his shoulders.

"You don't even know where their base is, or where they will strike next." scoffed the eldest Zoldyck.

"It wouldn't be much fun if I knew all that." he ran a finger up and down Illumi's shoulder. "Besides I was hoping you could use your connections to find out where their hideout is."

"Dose the Morow name not hold enough weight to find that out on your own?"

"Don't be like that" Hisoka faked pouted. "I would gladly compensate you for any and all info." he rubbed his cheek against the other shoulder like a cat.

"What about your plans to find and kill Chrollo?" Illumi could sense Hisoka's fake pout turn into a real one.

"Unfortunately, the trail has run cold on him. Iv looks everywhere but he and his spiders have gone deep underground. It's one of the reasons I'm taking this job. Things have been so dull and I need some excitement."

"My mistake I forgot I was talking to their king"

"King? King of what? Wouldn't Chrollo be the king of spiders!"

A rare smile appeared on Illumi's face, "King of fools".

Hisoka stood up and crossed his arms. "Someone is bitter today and after I came all the way over to surprise you."

Illumi left his spot on the balcony to face him. "You came to ask for a favor."

Hisoka, with a slight height advantage, leaned over the assassin for higher. He twirled a strand of raven hair between his fingers. "A favor that could have easily been asked over the phone. I came here with something more enjoyable than work in mind.

"I assumed only Chrollo occupied your mind." Illumi hand gently caressed Hisoka's chaw. He really should have killed this man years ago. Hisoka was too dangerous and unpredictable. Yet despite knowing this, Illumi had yet to take care of this threat.

"I can think of other people. Sometimes him, sometimes Gon, sometimes Kil...but tonight I only have you in mind."

Now annoyed Illumi grabbed Hisoka by the ear and threw him out his hotel room.

"Keep my brother out of your dirty mind clown."

Hisoka landed very hard against the wall before sliding down and onto the floor. Sitting up he rubbed the back of his aching head.

"This is not the rough play I had in mine Illumi". He closed his mouth when three needles were thrown at the wall centimeters from his head.

"I will get you the information, but you better not show up at my doorstep again." Illumi slammed the door shut.

Now alone the oldest Zoldyck son sighed. "At least this will keep him distracted from his suicidal spider hunt"

Two months later...

Somewhere in the North, there was an abandon military fortress. Not a soul had stepped in it for decades. In one of its rooms, it currently had two new occupants.

Chrollo was sitting in a chair enjoying one of his books. Dusk had fallen long ago and soon he would be heading to bed. It was cold this time of year and he was happy he would have someone else to help keep his bed warm tonight.

His fifth yawn was a sign to put the book down and go to bed.

"Come on Hisoka, its bedtime."

Said man had been sitting in the corner for much of the night. Chrollo had tossed him a book to read but the other refused to even touch it.

Hisoka was still wearing his magician outfit but his makeup was gone, showing off his handsome face. His hair was also more ruffed and natural-looking from the lack of jell.

Of his own free will, the man hastily walked over to the bed where Chrollo waited. He was about to crawl under the sheets when the other stopped him.

"You know the rules Hisoka" Chrollo smiled when the red-haired man's face visibly panicked.

"B-But what if there is an earthquake that causes the building to cave in and I do not have enough time to put my clothes on?"

"Then we will find your clothes in the rubble."

"Are you sure I can't sleep with Machi tonight?" desperation laced his voice.

"She isn't doing much sleeping tonight. She is busy restocking her medicinal supplies."

"Then I'll go with her. I can help her gather roots and flowers" he said enthusiastically.

Chrollo chuckled. Hisoka was adorable when he acted like this. "I thought you didn't want to go outside at night because that's when predators come out."

"As oppose to the one I'm dealing with..."

Chrollo shrugged, took off his shirt and laid down in his bed.

"Machi left hours ago. If you want to go out and look for her you are welcome to do so alone. You are also free to go to your own as well."

The lights had been shut off and only a candle aluminated the room. The little spark was slowly burning out and Hisoka was starting to visibly shake as the darkness closed in.

"Chrollo" it was a tiny plea.

"Hmmm?"

"I'm scared... please"

Growing desperate from the lack of response Hisoka hastily undress. Naked and cold he slipped under the blanket to Chrollo's waiting arms. When the candle finally burned out, he started to whimper.

"Shhh shhh, your safe." The phantom troop leader stroked his head and whispered soothingly into his ear. "Just relax, no harm will come to you with me here." He showered that porcelain neck with kisses.

Hisoka snuggled closer to him. That promise of protection was enough to make Chrollo's exploring hands and uninvited caresses bearable.