A/N: Poor Hisoka. I imagine he reined himself in a bit when he heard he was meeting Illumi's mother. But, knowing Kikyo, she'd probably like him better if he was more himself.
Also, I low-key think Kikyo only likes Killua and Kalluto and finds Illumi difficult to read and a bit irritating. She checks on him because of her duty as a mother and need for control. Not out of affection.
Kikyo kept quiet until after her son and his husband were seated on the couch across from her. Illumi said straight, his legs together and feet flat on the thick maroon carpet. His hands sat in his lap, ignoring the tray of tea that the butlers had prepared prior to their arrival.
The husband, on the other hand, seemed to intrude on the room despite doing nothing else but sitting and drinking tea. Before sitting, he'd dropped a single sugar cube into the cup on the left before picking up the cup and saucer on the right. He sat down beside Illumi, slouching against the couch so his weight rested against the back of the furniture. His long legs were crossed at the knee, and his left hand held the saucer while the right delicately brought the cup to his lips. His drinking was quiet, but the gentle bounce of his dangling foot on open air to a rhythm Kikyo couldn't recognize and his loud hair color filled the silence well enough. His silk top shimmered under the lamplight, rolling and waving each time his arm moved the cup between the saucer and his mouth.
Illumi finally moved and picked up the teacup on the left side of the tray.
"So, Illumi." Kikyo clasped her hands together to keep herself from sinking a knife into the man's bouncing foot. "How are…things?"
"What things specifically, Mother?" Illumi asked calmly before taking his first sip of tea to indicate the end of his sentence. This was a habit that Kikyo herself had forged since her son lacked the normal cadence of speech and trying to discern when Illumi was finished talking wasted too much time.
"Oh, you know…" It's not she couldn't find the words. She couldn't stomach saying them.
"I don't."
"I think she's asking about our relationship," the man offered. "Perhaps probing to see if you are content with it."
"Ah, is that the case, Mother?"
"Ahem, yes."
"It has been going well. Hisoka is easier to contact now that we live together, so I have been able to complete, on average, three more contracts per month than normally. Additionally, his own contributions to our joint accounts has ensured a high standard of living."
Kikyo nodded, having known most of that already. She had initially feared the union would lead to distraction, but the past few months had proven the opposite. Contract turnover was faster than ever, convenient since Illumi was now the only child that was actively working in the family business.
The silence following Illumi's report echoed between the three people as Illumi waited for Kikyo's next question. Meanwhile Kikyo was formulating a new way to phrase the true meaning of her original question. She was loathed to have to repeat herself in any capacity, but was somewhat resigned to the act. Ever since he was little, Illumi had struggled with understanding metaphors and implications. It was main reason why he was never trained in interrogation and Milluki, instead, bore the obligation. Illumi would never grasp the subtle art of reading people and unraveling their intentions, and there was little point in trying to teach him.
It was while she was still thinking, that Kikyo noticed the way the man's golden eyes slid between her and Illumi. His grin canted upwards as the heavy atmosphere began to smother itself.
"I think your mother was interested in more personal details," the man finally said, with a coquettish grin that made Kikyo feel indecent just for seeing.
Illumi stared at him and then turned towards Kikyo. She met her son's impassive gaze, not wanting to put forth the effort in reshaping her question if Illumi was going to put it together from what his husband said. Illumi looked back to the other man, something about his placid expression bringing delight to his impish face.
"Do you mean the emotional or physical details of our relationship?" He asked the other man. Kikyo nearly tutted at Illumi's need for further clarification.
"I believe emotional is supposed to be more acceptable," he hummed. "But by all means, discuss the physical aspects if you want." He licked his lips and Kikyo felt her gut swirl in disgust.
"We have sex fairly regularly, and it is enjoyable. He says very nice things to me. He helps me pick out clothing. He practices new combat techniques with me. It is overall a pleasant experience." Illumi reported.
Kikyo took in the son before her. His carefully matched clothing, more tailored than he used to wear with purposefully matched colors that complimented his skin tone. He still sat straight and with proper posture, but now that she was looking, his shoulders canted down a bit more and his back was touching the couch. And his face wasn't the smooth, seamless porcelain from his young adulthood; there were tiny lines carved around his cheeks and eyes. Evidence of smiling.
She didn't like what this man has turned her son into. The son who was perfectly poised, with nothing on his mind but duty was gone. She hardly even recognized the person in front of her now. Disgusting.
But not quite as foul as the redhead who was smiling at the shell of her son.
Illumi finished his tea and set the cup down into the saucer he'd left on the tray. He stood up in one fluid motion, clasped his hands behind his back, and tilted his head down in a nod towards his mother.
"Thank you for the conversation, Mother. Hisoka and I are going for a walk around the grounds before dinner."
Kikyo nodded, finding little reason to saying anything, and watched the other man launch himself to his feet in an obnoxious display of lithe power and grace. Illumi didn't comment on his performance, but did accept the hand the man held out for him to grasp. Kikyo's stomach receded in on itself, tightening and twisting until there was hardly anything left at the sight.
She could only hope Killua didn't turn out the same.
A/N: Might fuck around and add more if I feel like it. I kinda like the idea of making Kikyo uncomfortable with her son being happy.
