Adella glanced across the lab at Ryn, trying to make sure she isn't messing with her poisons. She had in the past, feeling the need to test how effective they were. The fact Netero even allowed her in the lab spoke to how lax he was when it came to trusting Adella.

Or maybe her complaints about Ryn doing what she wants hadn't fell on deaf ears all those times he'd asked about her. "Put it down."

Ryn frowns, setting the flask of red liquid down. "How else am I supposed to tell you if it tastes good?"

"It's poison. I know you're mostly immune, but you aren't a Zoldyck." Adella points out.

"Oh, so Illumi gets to try them?" Ryn scowls, arms folded. "Favoritism!"

Adella sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "That's not…"

"Favoritism!"

"I give up." Adella concedes, knowing Ryn is playing around, but also knowing she won't win an argument that has no true stakes.

Ryn grins, happy to have won, before hopping up onto one of the counters. "So, what are we working on today?"

"Ryn, down."

"I'm not a dog." She complains but does as her friend asks. "You got me into this stupid coat."

"That 'stupid coat' is standard PPE; everyone has to wear it in lab." She glares at her friend. "Including spiders."

"Ah, but technically I'm not a spider." Ryn points out.

"Technically, neither is Hisoka. Does Chrollo know the tattoo is fake?" Adella quirks a brow at Ryn's shocked stare. "I'm not as dumb as I look."

Ryn snorts. "You don't look dumb at all, Della. And no, he doesn't. I told Hisoka he needed to get the tattoo before September, but he doesn't actually want to be a spider."

Adella looks up, frowning. That was news. "Then why…"

"Why else?" Ryn sighs. "He wants to fight him again. Because last time went so well."

Adella winces, remembering a time before they knew the two men. Still, despite not having personal stakes in the fight, the carnage had been everywhere. Hisoka had died at the hands of his then enemy. "Wasn't that, like, their first date?"

"That's what Hisoka says. I don't think Chrollo appreciates the joke though." Ryn groans. "Honestly, sometimes I wish they didn't feel the need to constantly measure dick sizes. We both know Hisoka is bigger."

Adella gags. "Didn't need to know that." She pauses, frowning. "Wait, but doesn't Chrollo top?"

"His dick may be big, but he's a little slut. Besides, he can top me." Ryn watches as her friend squirms, clearly uncomfortable.

"But I even mention holding hands with Lumi, and…"

"That's because it's Illumi." Ryn shudders. "I don't want to know what he does in bed."

"Oh, but I can hear about you three? I'm at work." Adella points out, motioning to the lab that is, thankfully, empty except for them.

Ryn rolls her eyes, bumping her hip with Adella's. "You're no fun. But, speaking of the pinned wonder, how has the dick been since the fight?"

Adella scowls. "Nonexistent."

"What! He's apologizing, shouldn't he be…"

"Contrary to popular belief, Ryn," Adella cuts her off. "Illumi can catch on to some social cues. He wants to wait until I feel ready to trust him again."

Ryn frowns, not understanding. "So, he's punishing both of you? How is that fair?"

Adella sighs. "There were some things said and done during our fight that we both regret. Some of those things involved…"

"Oh, okay, I get it, no details please." She looks sick. "I really don't want to know what weird kinks Illumi has."

Adella grins wickedly. "Oh, but you don't mind hearing mine?"

"Not if it involves him!" Ryn scoots around the table, scowling. "You get more evil by the day. Maybe a break from Illu would be good for you."

Adella laughs, turning back to the set up before her, reaching for her diluent. "Now that you mention it, I can't wait for him to get back home."

Ryn shakes her head. "You know, back in college, I never would have expected you to go for someone like him."

Adella turns, confused. What had changed since college that Ryn saw that she didn't? "How so?"

Ryn shrugs, sighing and staring out the window. It was a rainy day in Yorknew, and the lab inside the Hunter Association fell just below cloud level. It was dark and dreary, and while Ryn had tried to insist on them staying in for the day, Adella just wouldn't bite. Always the loyal and responsible one, it almost made sense why she and Illumi got along, even if their loyalties lay in vastly different areas.

"I just mean we all thought you and Kite were a set thing. Come on, you two were great together! When he had to leave, we all thought you'd follow. Or, you know, that he'd stay a while longer."

Adella bites the inside of her cheek. She didn't like talking about Kite. Not because things had ended badly between them, they hadn't, but because she missed him. "Kite and I ended things amicably. We were on different paths at the time, and we always said if we found each other again we may give us another try."

"But? I feel like there's a but in there." Ryn leans forward. She had liked Kite, a lot actually, but seeing Adella with Illumi, there didn't seem to be any competition.

"But," Adella grins, glad that Ryn is trying to lighten the mood a bit. "Illumi is different. I don't feel for him how I felt for Kite. I loved Kite, sure, part of me always will, but not like how I love Illumi. I mean, he stuck a needle in my neck, did the one thing I forbade him from doing, and I'm still here."

Ryn hums, nodding. Adella wasn't the type of person to rush things, I mean, she hadn't even had sex with Kite in the years they'd been together. And while things with Illumi weren't exactly rushed, it seemed Adella was much more willing to bend her rules for him. "It's obvious you two care for each other. You were mad at him and had every opportunity to knock him from the exam, derail his plans, but you didn't. You made sure he'd still pass the fourth phase. And while I completely agree what Illumi did was wrong and you should not forgive him so easily, his reason for doing so was somewhat justified."

Adella whips her head around, glaring at her friend. "Beg pardon?"

Ryn just shrugs. "He didn't want you getting hurt in that storm. I know you slept through it, but it was bad, Del. We almost lost Gon."

She and Hisoka had agreed not to share that news with her during the exam. However, now the exam was over, it felt prudent for her to know.

"I… What?"

"The storm was a monster. I understood why they wanted us out of the way. Could you imagine what would have happened if you got hurt?" Ryn shudders. "I may be dating two of the most powerful men in the world, but I sincerely doubt they'd be able to face a crazed Illumi if your life was on the line. He'd die for you, Del."

She doesn't like that idea. She really doesn't like that. Adella turns from her, glaring out of the window. "I don't want him to."

Ryn moves to her side, placing a hand on her friend's shoulder. "To be fair to him, I don't think he wants to die either. At least not before he actually gets to marry you. You do know that's happening, right? You're in this now."

Adella chuckles, shaking her head. "Better start on your bridesmaid duties then."