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Blood dripped onto the ground. The kid turned towards the voice. Illumi lunged. He ripped the knife away from the kid, sending them sprawling onto the asphalt. Illumi contemplated stabbing the kid in the back. That probably wasn't a good idea. His side stung. His breaths came quick, sharp.
"What the—" Killua ran up. Killua. Here. Back.
"Oops!" The kid sprang to their feet. They turned and grabbed their scooter, racing away and leaving Illumi standing in the driveway with a bloody knife clutched in his hand and crimson blooming on his shirt.
Illumi stuffed the pocketknife into his pocket. He grabbed Killua. "Where did you go?"
Killua was carrying two large grocery bags. "I went to get groceries."
Illumi cocked his head. Canary had brought plenty of food over. Killua shouldn't be hungry. "You know if there's a particular food you want you can just ask."
"Why did Pitou stab you?" yelled Killua.
"You know them?" Illumi narrowed his eyes. He pressed his hand against the wound. It wasn't too deep. Definitely didn't get any organs. He might need stitches though. He hoped not.
Killua shook his head. "Not exactly. Are you—all right?"
"Yeah," Illumi panted. "Of course." He tried to straighten. Ouch. "Don't you ever sneak out like that again. You need to understand that you—"
"You were asleep and—"
"I don't care." Illumi limped up towards the front door. "Come inside, Kil."
Killua follower, hauling the groceries. His face stayed hidden. Maybe he was ashamed. Then again, maybe not. Illumi didn't feel as if he had a good read on his brother anymore. He used to be able to tell why Killua was crying as an infant. And Father wanted him to use that to teach Killua when to cry and when to not, and eventually, how to endure. It built resilience.
Let him cry it out.
If I let you cry, would you look at me?
If I let you cry, would I be failing?
Illumi slammed the door behind him.
"The fuck happened to you?" asked Hisoka.
"Some punk stabbed me," answered Illumi. "It's all right, though."
"Some what what?" demanded Kalluto. Alluka peered around the corner from the stairs. Her eyes lit up when she saw Killua.
"Did you meet them on the street? Were they one of your friends?" Illumi asked. "I told you you didn't have friends."
Killua wouldn't meet his eyes.
"You wouldn't keep something important from me, would you?" asked Illumi, reaching blood-stained fingers from his brother. Panic ate at him like ants in his fingertips, in his toes. It shouldn't be from blood loss. He hadn't lost much. He felt lightheaded anyways, like his skull was slowly being scraped with sandpaper. You wouldn't, would you?
Does he love me at all?
He has to. He's too ashamed to face me.
Killua ignored him. Illumi turned and headed into the bathroom. He ripped his shirt off and soaked a towel in rubbing alcohol and pressing it on the wound. He let out his breath. Damn, that stung. Illumi clutched the counter with his free hand. Blood seeped into the towel. That little idiot hadn't hit any vital organs. Were they even aiming for them? Or just trying to scare him? And why?
They had said they knew of Killua… and Killua knew their name. Illumi's mind swum with possibilities. If—
"You actually got the shit kicked out of you by a little kid?"
Illumi knew he should have locked the door. He didn't bother to face Hisoka. "I actually threw them to the ground. They took me by surprise."
"This is why you should sleep."
"This is why you should've made sure Killua didn't leave." Illumi reached down to grab a pile of bandages from the drawer. He sat on the edge of the tub and grabbed scissors. Hisoka hoisted himself up on the counter and smirked down at him, eyeing Illumi's shirtless physique. "Do I need to sue you for sexual harassment?" At least someone was looking at him, though.
"Your brother's smart. And watching your worry is amusing."
Illumi glowered up at him, biting down on the bandage as he measured and snipped with the scissors. "Does watching me bleed turn you on?"
"No."
Illumi snorted. "You are a strange man."
"No stranger than you."
"I don't get turned on by defeating people."
"You don't get turned on by anything except by duty for your job and pleasing your family, apparently, which is more than a little disturbing."
Illumi didn't respond to that. He wrapped the bandage around his side one, two, three times.
"And you're wrong," said Hisoka. "I get turned on by challenges."
And I'm a challenge for you. I suppose it would have happened sooner rather than later. Illumi stood up. He stepped closer to Hisoka and planted his hands on the counter. His side throbbed and burned. Blood stained the white sink. Hisoka arched his eyebrows. "Good luck," Illumi told him.
He turned away and grabbed his shirt, shrugging back into it. "Maybe you should cool off before you come back out. Or just go home." Illumi made it up to his room and changed into something not splattered in blood. He blew out his breath. His face felt warm, even though he'd lost blood. Hopefully the bandages would take care of it. He could feel it still oozing against his skin.
The doorbell rang.
Oh, for fuck's sake.
"Illumi!" Milluki hollered.
Oh, you're alive? Illumi grabbed his jacket and pushed his arms through it. He cursed in pain, hobbling down the stairs.
That officer stood in the entryway, smiling a smile of sugar while her eyes twinkled with sparks of explosives. Biscuit Krueger.
"Miss Krueger," Illumi said, heading down the stairs and freezing his mouth so that he wouldn't grimace. "What a surprise." A terrible one. He'd rather have seen a cockroach.
"Mr. Zoldyck," she chirped. "I'm performing a welfare check on the kids."
"Hi," called Alluka, Killua's arms around her.
"Pleased to see Alluka isn't locked in her room," added Krueger.
Illumi swallowed. "Of course not." And despite it having been six days, she hadn't asked for anyone's liver yet either.
Hisoka wandered in. Illumi pressed his lips together.
"Who are you?" asked Biscuit.
Illumi opened his mouth. Friend? Not really. Partner? In the gym. Boyfriend? Hell no. "We work out together."
Biscuit cocked her head. "Okay. Alluka, Killua, Kalluto, why don't the three of you show me where you're staying?" She glanced at Illumi. "You can wait here."
Hisoka chortled as Biscuit left the room. Milluki shook his head, crouched on the couch.
"This is a violation," said Illumi.
"I'm quite sure it's legal, Illumi," Hisoka said.
Illumi contemplated stabbing Hisoka, but that would probably lose him custody. Hisoka grinned as he took in the fire smoldering in Illumi's eyes. I will kill you later.
Biscuit came back, Alluka smiling and almost skipping. Killua wilted against the wall.
"Let's talk," Biscuit said to Illumi.
"Want to play a game downstairs?" Milluki asked Alluka. "I need help finishing the next level."
"Keep the volume down," Illumi said, voice like ice. If she notices it's a shoot em up game I will skin you.
Milluki nodded. Kalluto slouched as he headed after them. Hisoka blew a kiss.
"So," said Biscuit, taking a seat at the small kitchen table. "No need to make tea or coffee. We both know you don't feel like being hospitable."
"All right then." Illumi took a seat, folding his hands. His side screamed in pain. "Let's talk."
"You first," said Biscuit, not breaking his stare. She smiled, oh-so-sweetly.
"When are my parents getting custody back?"
"Have they texted you so many times?"
"They—"
"Don't lie to me, Illumi Zoldyck." Biscuit leaned forward. "I know they're in touch with you. I don't even need proof to know it. No pretenses." She tapped her fingers against the table. "You're lucky I do believe Alluka and Killua, that you haven't locked her up."
Illumi said nothing.
"Your father doesn't believe she's family. No child of his would act like that. Were you allowed to break a dish as a child, Illumi? What happened if you did?"
Illumi started. "My parents have only ever wanted to raise successful children."
"You're the exact opposite of a success."
Illumi's jaw dropped. "Pardon? Miss Krueger, that's a bit rude, don't you think?" I make probably four times what you do.
"You're no adult," said Biscuit. "You're a child. Don't pull that shit on me. Don't pull any of the shit your parents pulled, because I'm going to see to it that Killua, Alluka, and Kalluto don't spend another day under their roof unless they want to when they're old enough to decide on their own."
Illumi leaned forward. His heart thumped. His hair stuck to the back of his neck. The pain stormed him, nausea clamping down on his throat. "You can't do that."
"Even the Zoldycks are subject to the law," Biscuit informed him, arranging her clipboard. "But I would want them to stay with you."
"My parents—"
"But only if you're better than they are," Biscuit said. "Instead of being abusive cunts like them." She rose. "And you'd better learn to see your sister as your sister. Your siblings need you, Illumi. They don't need to be you."
Stop, Illumi wanted to tell her. I'll destroy you. I'll ruin you. Stop. You can't say that to me. You can't. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not! That isn't it at all!
I hate you!
Bitch!
"By the way," she said by the door. Illumi wordlessly followed her. If he opened his mouth the words he wanted to sling at her would tumble out and his fists would follow. "The clown man? You have strange taste."
Are you kidding me?
The door shut behind her, and Illumi gripped the wall, barely able to stand as agony wracked through him. That fucking stab wound shouldn't have upset him so much. Maybe it was just the lack of sleep exacerbating her words.
They love me. We're family. They need Mother and Father. Mother and Father need me to succeed at this. I need to get them back to them. I'm not Killua but I'm successful I'm not you are I'm—
Something clunked upstairs. Illumi froze. Everyone else was downstairs, weren't they? If that murderous little kitten had decided to crawl back, Illumi would stop it this time. He grabbed a knife from the kitchen and slipped up the stairs, making little noise. Biscuit Krueger's voice echoed and echoed inside his brain. He shook his head, wanting to send her words flying out.
You're not a success.
The noise came from Alluka and Killua's room. Illumi flung it open.
"Hi," said Gon Freecss.
"Killua!" Illumi yelled. "The hell are you doing—"
A groan echoed from the closet, and a thump. Illumi pressed his fingers against his temples as Kurapika Kurta stumbled out, followed by another boy, taller, with dark hair.
"Please don't be mad at Killua!" Gon said. "We asked him—we didn't have anywhere else to go—"
"Excuse me?" Illumi's scalp felt as if an elastic band tightened around it, squeezing and squeezing. "I don't understand. How did you get in?"
"Killua let us in," said Gon, swallowing. Kurapika dropped onto the floor, crossing his arms and scowling.
"How long have you been here? And how did Biscuit Krueger not catch you?" The five people he'd seen in the window! I wasn't hallucinating after all.
"We hid in your room," answered Kurapika, a wicked grin splitting his face.
Pounding echoed on the stairs below. Illumi turned around, willing himself not to explode. This was exactly the sort of thing that could get him to lose custody. And his siblings needed him. Krueger even said so. He lasered his gaze at Killua.
Killua cringed.
"Oops," said Alluka's voice.
"The fuck?" yelled Kalluto. Milluki groaned. Hisoka burst into laughter.
"I'm waiting for your explanation," Illumi said, leaning back against the doorframe.
"They… didn't have anywhere to go?" Killua offered. He stepped closer.
"How long?"
"Since the day after we moved in?"
Humiliation bit down on Illumi's spine. How could I not have known? "I'm not running an orphanage. Get out."
"If they leave, I leave!" yelled Killua. "They're my friends!"
"You don't—"
"Shut up; he does too!" Gon snapped.
Illumi grabbed Gon's shoulder, squeezing. He glowered at the kid. Don't cross me. "Want me to call your dad?"
"You know where he is?" Gon's eyes lit up.
"Everyone knows," said Illumi.
"But every time I try to see him they won't let me, or they don't believe me, and they're not giving him my messages," Gon said, eyes wide.
"That isn't my problem." Illumi's priorities were protecting the Zoldycks. Not some interloper.
"Hey Alluka," said Killua. "Call Biscuit Krueger if Illumi doesn't let them stay."
If they stay under my roof, I can keep Killua under my roof. If they stay under my roof, Killua will ignore me even more. Illumi hated how this felt, as if his choices pressed in on him on all sides, tethered his wrists. "Who are you?" he snarled at the fourth kid.
"Leorio," he said, holding out his hand. Illumi ignored it.
"This is ridiculous!" Kalluto fumed. ""Killua, make them go away!"
"I—"
"Why do you prefer them to your own family?" Kalluto screamed, stomping his feet.
"Why do you call Alluka an it or a he and refuse to acknowledge her as your sister?" Killua shouted back, fists balling up at his side. "That's not normal, Kalluto!"
"It's not supposed to be normal," said Illumi. "We're Zoldycks."
"Fuck that!" Killua said. "Fuck being a Zoldyck! I'd rather have a family that—that—" His chest heaved. "At least my friends care about more than what I can do!"
Illumi didn't understand. Wasn't that what care was? Wanting someone to be at their best? Live to their full potential? That was the nature of love. Of the Zoldycks, and they pushed it to be above the rest, because they were Zoldycks.
Letting them stay might help Killua be at his best. For now. Illumi gritted his teeth. With each breath, his side burned. He still didn't want them to stay. He wanted to spend time with his brother, bond with him again before he sent Killua back to their parents. Like they used to.
Father would want them to stay. For Killua's potential. Illumi dropped his head. "Fine."
Biscuit's words echoed. I'm going to see to it that Killua, Alluka, and Kalluto don't spend another day under your parents' roof.
That couldn't be true. Illumi refused to believe it. But if they had to stay with him…
"Illumi!" Kalluto glared at him, eyes bright as if he was going to cry.
"This is gonna be interesting," commented Milluki. Alluka clamped her hands over her ears and rocked back and forth, screaming. Killua grabbed her. Kalluto hesitated, and then reached out, slapping Alluka and racing down the stairs, slamming the door.
"Hey!" called Illumi. "Kalluto!"
"Your bastard!" yelled Killua. Alluka just stared, silent now, a red streak on her face.
"We don't mean to cause trouble," said Leorio.
"That's amusing," Illumi said, voice dry. "Because you are causing trouble." And I'm going to kill you, Hisoka. He grabbed Killua's shoulder. "And if your friends get to stay, you have to tell me who that Pitou was."
"Pitou was here?" yelped Gon. He curled his fists. "I'll kill that mangy—"
Hisoka smirked as if Gon's proclamation made him proud.
"They're part of a gang," blurted out Killua. "They call themselves the Chimera Ants. They do all sorts of odd jobs. Pitou got Kite, a man who was—nice to us—arrested by planting evidence—someone must have paid them."
Illumi rubbed his forehead. "Why would they have stabbed me?"
"Have you pissed anyone off?"
"Just today he's pissed off all of you and that officer," Hisoka drawled.
It's part of his job to disappoint people. Illumi couldn't think about it too much. He almost wondered if Gon or Kurapika had hired this Pitou to stab him so that he'd lose custody, but no, Gon looked too enraged at the thought of Pitou. Chrollo's words from earlier echoed in Illumi's mind.
That couple.
He turned and stalked into his bedroom, knowing Hisoka would follow. Illumi drew in his breaths ragged and sharp. "How is Chrollo involved?"
"Maybe you should ask Kalluto; he works with him, doesn't he?" Hisoka shut the door.
Illumi lowered himself onto the bed. "He just wants to find out information on Ging Freecss."
"Is that really what you think?"
Illumi let out his breath. "No." Kalluto would probably do whatever Chrollo asked in exchange for information on Ging Freecss. "But he would never allow one of his family members to be hurt."
"Can't relate." Hisoka chuckled. "It looks like this is your life now, eh? I heard that woman. Your parents are screwed."
Illumi glanced at him. Blood seeped through his bandage. He touched the cloth and his hands came away bloody. "My father always has a way."
"You're going to be boring forever."
"If I'm boring, why are you hanging around here?"
"To see you lose your shit over Killua betraying you." Hisoka snickered. "I was wondering how long it would take for you to notice."
Illumi got to his feet. His arm shot out, grabbing Hisoka by the shoulder and shoving him back. "Why do you care?"
"I don't care about anything but my own fun," Hisoka said. "And that kid. Gon Freecss. He's fun. He's got potential. He tried to take on Pitou by himself."
So he reminds you of you. Illumi scowled. "Does Chrollo know Kurapika is here?"
Hisoka reached his hand up, snaking his fingers over Illumi's. "I'm not telling that cross-faced shithead."
You're just mad and petty he knows more than you. "Did you get his files?"
Hisoka smirked. "I can't say I found anything relevant."
"Liar."
Hisoka's fingers traveled up Illumi's throat, over his pulse, to his voice box, his chin. Illumi ignored him. "Help me find out who did it."
Hisoka leaned forward. His forehead brushed Illumi's. His lips hovered close, so close. Air caught in Illumi's windpipe. "Too bad you're boring now, Illumi. If you want not to be, you know where I am." He pulled away and sauntered out of the room. "Don't bleed to death."
Illumi rolled his eyes.
"Why are you over all the time?" Killua's voice demanded.
"Because we're fucking."
What? Illumi contemplated stabbing him. Instead he pulled out his phone and wrote a short message. A promise. I am going to kill you in the most painful way possible.