Illumi wakes himself as the airship jolts, letting the memories fade. Had it really been so long ago that they had met? More importantly, had Adella told him her side of things so often he could visualize them?

Either way, it seemed that version of Illumi's worst fears had been realized. What was the worst that could happen? Genuine human emotion, weakness; and all over a woman who had barely understood nen when he met her.

That old him would be horrified at what he was doing now; going to inform his parents he had found the woman he would be inducting into the family.

Zeno, at least, would probably like her, considering she wasn't on his mother's pre-approved list. Zeno's approval would ingratiate her with his father. Killua liked her already, and he was certain Kalluto wouldn't have many thoughts on any woman he'd marry. Milluki was a wild card, though he knew Adella would not like him much.

Kikyo would be furious. She would be the only one in his family against the union, which thankfully worked in his favor. But that didn't mean Adella was safe.

Well, for now she was. A newly licensed Hunter, back in Yorknew, and typically a homebody; he doubted she would be doing much. As if summoned by his thoughts, his phone chimes, signaling Adella has texted. After a few months of fake dating her, he'd set her tone to a different sound, so he knew it was her when she texted or called. Was that when he should have known these feelings had developed?

How is it going?

She shouldn't be texting him. Not because he'd told her not to, but because he was supposed to be in trouble. His previous assumptions about his absence ingratiating himself to her seemed to be true. She missed him.

And he missed her. Of course he missed her. How could he not? He was a fool to fall in love, a bigger fool to allow himself the pleasure of being in love once he'd realized his mistake.

Yes, he was a fool. And it seemed he would continue to make one of himself for her. She had done him the enormous favor of not leaving him once he had broken her trust, something he would never be able to repay, but it seemed fitting to start by facing his family.

When had his life become so… difficult? When had he become so rebellious? Making acquaintances, falling in love, letting Killua and that… Gon become close? What had he become?

He doesn't have an answer. There isn't time to think of one either, the airship beginning to descend. He would be home soon, and then the real problems would start.

Tsubone and Gotoh are waiting for him when he lands. "Master Illumi, welcome home."

He nods, sliding into the car without a word. It wasn't unusual, but it seemed the butlers knew something was wrong with him this time. The drive back is equally silent, Illumi lost in thought. He barely notices when they've reached the gate.

"Master Illumi?"

"Thank you." It's a rather curt reply, but the butlers know not to expect much from him.

Illumi pushes through six of the gates with ease, trying to push the nervous energy from his body.

His parents are waiting for him on the other side. "Ah, Illumi, welcome home. You wanted to speak with us?"

There was no turning back now.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Adella glances at her phone, opening her texts once more. Illumi hasn't responded to her last message, and she fears that's a bad sign. What if he changed his mind? What if he didn't want to bother with her anymore?

He was supposed to get home today, maybe then she would get answers.

Her phone dings, a response form Netero on a batch of poisons she was supposed to be getting today. Well at least someone cared to respond.

'All I asked was how it was going.' She grumbles to herself. 'He could at least have the decency to tell me he's busy.'

Her phone buzzes again.

I'm on my way home. I had to make a stop after I was done. Apologies for making you wait, but it was a rather precarious situation to deal with.

Rolling her eyes, she tells him she will see him soon, trying not to give away how elated she is he's returning. A week was simply too long to not see him.

Grimacing, Adella turns her phone off, returning to her work. When had she become so pathetic? Was he even worth it?

Yes.

She curses how quickly she betrays herself. Was she really that obsessed?

Also yes.

"I really need to get a life." She complains, causing a concerned intern to ask if their boss was alright.

"Boyfriend troubles."

Despite being concerned for their supervisor, her team steers clear of her for the rest of the day, knowing Adella wasn't exactly ready to discuss her experience with the exam or her mystery Zoldyck. Mystery only because the team had barely seen him in the almost two years he'd been around.

When the clock hits five, and the workday ends, Adella, who is usually the last to leave, vanishes. She's out of the building, headed home, before they can wish her a good night.

Her apartment is empty when she gets back, letting her know Illumi isn't home yet. Having had a few hours to calm down, she's forgotten about his snub of her text. He was busy, she understood.

When he got home, she could have dinner ready, a small gesture all things considered. At least he was coming back, right?

Adella pauses, trying to figure out how exactly she has gotten herself into this mess. Would it always be like this? Was she always going to be so stupidly in love? Would it always hurt like this?

She bites her lip, this line of thinking leading to its inevitable, and terrifying conclusion.

Did she even care how in over her head she was?

Not a terrifying question in itself. It was the answer that scared her.

She didn't.