I swear I'm not dead, I just haven't had many opportunities to write. I will update Pins and Needles sometime this month (fingers crossed this week), but until then, have an out of continuity Halloween idea.
"Oh, come on! This is a great idea!"
"Ryn, this is stupid."
"It'll be hilarious. Besides, when have I ever steered you wrong?"
"Do you want that list alphabetically or from college to now?"
"Ha ha, very funny. Get dressed, we have traditions to uphold."
"What tradition would that be?"
"Killer Halloween costumes."
The troupe was spending a rare day at home, or rather, the home they'd taken over considering the original tenants were dead thanks to Illumi.
Hisoka had taken the Zoldyck assassin out on the town, but everyone else was sitting peacefully in the assigned common room. Chrollo was busy in the office he had taken over, working on some big job they'd be doing in the upcoming months.
The troupe looks up as Hisoka and Illumi enter the room. The two seem… off somehow, but no one mentions the odd vibe. Who knew what was wrong with those two anyway? The list was probably long and extensive.
"So, what were you two doing?" Machi asks, not really curious, but asking anyway. "And before you ask, Ryn and Adella have been MIA since they left this morning."
Hisoka smirks, bringing a card to his lips. He doesn't respond, merely offering a chuckle. Illumi too remains silent.
Machi narrows her gaze, scowling at the magician who'd irked her since the day they'd met. "Fine, ignore me."
Kalluto stares at Illumi, sensing something wrong with his older brother, but not wanting to be wrong about the reason. Could it be something happened with Adella? Even so, he couldn't ask. His sister-in-law's relationship with Illumi was a sensitive topic.
"Hey, Hisoka," Feitan calls. "Did Ryn say anything about why she and Adella would be going out all day?"
Still not answering, Hisoka grins widely, flinging a card towards Feitan. The troupe exchange uneasy glances, knowing a smirking but silent Hisoka was never a good sign. Especially when Illumi was also involved.
Even if the Zoldyck wouldn't admit it, Hisoka was his best friend.
Chrollo exits his office, having heard conversation, and wanting to know what was so important. Spying Hisoka, his eyes light up, moving towards the man, who had yet to see him.
"You're back."
Startled, Hisoka stumbles back, eyes wide. The troupe watches intrigued. Something was definitely wrong.
Chrollo strikes quickly, reaching for Hisoka's waist and pulling him in. Hisoka lets out a small yelp, one that makes Feitan and Phinks chuckle.
Ignoring the magician's struggles, Chrollo pulls him in for a hard kiss, brows furrowed. The troupe half expects Hisoka to pull away, but instead, he relaxes into the kiss.
"Well," Phinks sighs. "I was hoping we'd get something juicy."
"The boss kissing the clown isn't juicy?" Nobu asks, incredulous.
"Not after how often we've seen them doing worse."
Chrollo pulls away, brows still furrowed. "I…"
Hisoka just chuckles, pressing a quick kiss to the side of his mouth and pressing a card into his hand.
Stepping away from the boss, Hisoka moves towards the couch that had been his original target, laying himself across it.
Chrollo glances at the car, the queen of hearts, in his hand. He smiles softly as he sees the note left on it. 'Don't tell.'
Chuckling, he diverts his attention to Illumi, glancing at his feet. Moving quietly to the assassin's side, he leans up to whisper in his ear. "How did you do it? Usually you're shorter than me."
Illumi stiffens, glancing down at Chrollo, who flashes him the note. "It's a very good costume, but Ryn is missing certain equipment Hisoka has."
Illumi rolls his eyes, folding his arms. "I wore longer pants to hide the fact these heels are made to look like feet."
It isn't Illumi's voice that answers, not that Chrollo had expected it to be. "Well, impressive all the same."
The barest hint of a smile ghosts across the fake assassin's face, watching as the troupe continues to bombard fake Hisoka with questions that won't be answered.
Unbeknownst to the group, two doppelgangers enter, finally back from their trip to town, and curious as to why one of them is being yelled at before even being seen.
The pause in the doorway, taking in the scene before them, both confused.
"What is this?"
The troupe turns, mouths agape to find another Hisoka and Illumi in the doorway.
"What the hell!" Phinks yells, barely able to deal with one magician.
Hisoka narrows his eyes at the imposter, who just grins back. "Chrollo, dear, if this is your idea of a joke."
"No." Hisoka is startled, having not seen the boss hidden behind the fake Illumi. He glances between Chrollo and the fake him, questioning what was going on.
"Well that one has to be real, right?" Shizuku asks, pointing to the Hisoka in the doorway. "He speaks."
"Too much." Adds the Illumi beside him, also sounding quite real.
The troupe turns to the two imposters, clearly ready for a fight. The fake Hisoka sighs, standing and folding his arms. "It's Halloween."
The troupe recoils as Ryn's voice comes from the first Hisoka.
Except, of course, Hisoka, who is rather intrigued by the prospect of two of him now he knows the second is Ryn. "Why dear, I am flattered. I always knew I was a great kisser."
He scoops up his double, dipping her for a rather long kiss, causing the troupe to groan and complain. Righting her, Hisoka grimaces. "Alright, that wasn't as fun as I thought. Change. Now."
Ryn rolls her eyes, stepping away. "Absolutely not."
The real Hisoka scowls, causing Chrollo to step in. "You've had your fun Ryn. Take it off."
"I can't." Ryn insists, grinning widely, an odd look on Hisoka's face.
"And why is that?" Chrollo asks, ever the patient lover. Ryn was stubborn, but she never did things without purpose. Even if that purpose was "fun."
"Del and I have a tradition of having the best costumes."
"Del?" Shalnark asks, before horror paints his features. Turning, he glances at the long forgotten fake Illumi. "No."
"I put forth the idea as a joke. Ryn insisted we do so." Adella's voice comes from the Illumi double, who smiles brightly, looking even more wrong than Ryn's wide grin.
"I'm having nightmares about this." Paku whispers, to which Feitan wholeheartedly agrees.
Illumi stands frozen in the doorway, watching his twin with distrust. Adella steps towards him, only to have Illumi step back.
"Lumi?"
"No." The Zoldyck says, sounding rather sick.
Adella rolls her eyes at his theatrics. "Oh, come on. It's not that bad."
"You will not come near me until you have taken that ridiculous disguise off." Illumi says with finality, accusing finger pointed towards her.
"Lumi!" Adella complains, once again taking a few steps towards her partner.
In the blink of an eye, Illumi is gone, running from the room and house for safety. Adella sighs, glancing back at Ryn. "I am in so much trouble. I hope you're happy."
"I am." She announces, linking arms with her 'Illumi.' "Happy Halloween, everyone. Adella and I are off to steal candy from children. Oh, and scare Killua and Gon."
