Whoops, it's been a minute. A lot has happened. Went on vacation, dog died, grandpa had to get surgery for cancer, started grad school, etc. Plus, I ran out of pre-written material, so finding time not only to post but to write has been a challenge. I'm not the happiest with this, but it's something. Hopefully the next chapter will be a bit better.

I approve.

It's an odd text to get from his grandfather. What exactly does he approve of? Illumi doesn't bother thinking about it.

"You look so pensive. You should smile more."

Illumi rolls his eyes. Maybe this stop had been a mistake. "Does that ever work on Ryn? Where is she anyway? Thought she was supposed to be back."

Hisoka chuckles. "Ryn smiles around me for other reasons. And our illustrious leader decided to stop by to watch me fight as well. Ryn is with him."

Illumi's brows rise, the only indication he is surprised. It's as if the rest of his face is constantly frozen. "Chrollo is here?"

"He wanted to see us prior to Yorknew. He asked about the wife." Hisoka sneaks a glance, trying to provoke Illumi into breaking.

"Adella is fine."

The magician frowns. "That's it?" He may not be as close to Adella as Ryn is, but he does like the woman. Their first meeting had consisted of him offering to throw her off a building with bungee gum attached to her. She'd thought he was serious and had readily accepted. He'd immediately understood why Ryn liked her.

Plus, she had some sort of strange connections through the association and had found him actual bungee gum. She'd denied the fact, letting Ryn, who'd gifted it to him, take the credit, but he knew.

"What else would you like to know?" The assassin refuses to meet his gaze. If anyone could push his buttons, besides Adella, it was Hisoka. Not that he would ever let him know that. "I have not seen her for a few weeks."

"Come on, Illu!" Hisoka nudges him. "We all know you text each other every day!" He rests his chin on the assassin's shoulder, pouting. "If I'm never going to get my shot at you, you can at least keep me up to date on the Della Drama."

He watches his "friend" finally recoils, doing so as gracefully and emotionless as possible. "You aren't going to 'get a chance at me.' You never would have even despite Adella."

"Never say never." Hisoka winks. "Though really, that is what you're focusing on? The fact I would sleep with you?" He scoffs. "Consider it a compliment. I do have standards."

"Yes, anything you can fight and it be a challenge." Illumi rolls his eyes. "Sometimes I think you'd even try to seduce Adella."

Hisoka shrugs. "If I hadn't been introduced to her as both your partner and Ryn's sister, I might have. As it is, she's family."

"You do realize they aren't sisters, yes?"

"Close enough." Hisoka nudges Illumi with his shoulder. "Ryn mentioned Adella once almost killed for her."

Illumi grimaces. "She did. But the man survived. Her first kill was after we had met."

The magician moves to sit on the couch of his apartment. Well, the apartment he had earned fighting in Heaven's Arena, but that Ryn shared. "Tell me."

Illumi rolls his eyes, again, never turning from the window. "Ryn was being stalked. The man had a history of violence and domestic abuse. Ryn wasn't interested but was scared. This was before she started practicing with her nen."

He turns, knowing this would be a rather sensitive story for the clown. Hisoka motions for him to continue. "He sent a letter, telling her to behave or he'd do something they'd both regret. Apparently, completing a required assignment with a male partner counts as misbehaving. Adella encouraged Ryn to go out with mutual friends for the night, and she waited at the apartment for him. When he broke in, she provoked him, saying Ryn wasn't here and that she wouldn't tell him where she was."

"Not exactly the brightest, is she?" Hisoka chuckles.

Illumi digs his nails into his skin. "She managed to escape to her bedroom, where she'd hidden a bat. She caught him off guard and beat him within an inch of his life. The police arrived shortly after."

"A neighbor called?"

Illumi shakes his head, allowing a small smile. "Adella orchestrated it. She called the police as soon as he entered the building. She purposefully antagonized him to follow her, and I suspect she was using her nen, weak as it was, to subconsciously have him follow her narrative."

Hisoka laughs, bright and musical. "I would believe that. Little Della making a big, strong man weak for her?" He quirks a brow, looking the assassin over. "I think I see a pattern."

"He tried to get her convicted of pre-meditating everything. Thankfully, she had such a clean reputation, and he did not, that she got away with it. Put on a little show of being weak and traumatized too. She's very proud of herself." The implication he is proud too is not lost on his companion.

"So, when does he get out?"

"Hm? Oh, never. Adella made sure of that. Or rather, Netero did once his release was scheduled. The chairman was quite adamant about keeping his favorite scientist safe. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the evidence that is keeping him in jail is forged."

Hisoka frowns. "I suppose that's good. Though I know Chrollo would love to get his hands on him."

"And you?"

"Well obviously."