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Chapter 1
“Are you insane?!” Killua shrieked. “A child?!” Killua had never looked more shocked in his life. Not even the Chimera Ants compared to this.
Illumi had expected his request to stun Killua mildly but his younger brother was outright appalled.
“And with him of all people?!” Killua screeched like a harpy gesturing to Hisoka who had made himself comfortable on the couch in the living room opposite Alluka’s room, languidly looking over Killua and Illumi who were now standing in front of her door on the precipice of an argument. Hisoka wasn’t amused.
It had been two years since Killua took Alluka away from the Zoldyck family. As per Killua’s request and their father's behest, no one had contacted Killua in those two years. Illumi, of course, knew where Killua and Alluka were located at all times but didn’t dare go against their father’s orders. Still, it was too much of a risk to not know where the Zoldyck heir and their divine creature of a sister were at all times.
Hisoka imagined life had probably been relatively peaceful for Killua up until now.
The boy had grown, of course. He’d become taller, now reaching up to Illumi’s chest, his white hair had a change of hairstyle. It was still pointing in all directions but Hisoka could see a little ponytail at the base of his skill. His face was no longer so round and boyish, but instead narrower, his jawline more defined now, his back had gotten considerably broader and more muscular but all in all he had Illumi’s stature. His taste in clothing hadn't changed, to Hisoka’s dismay, but he could tell Killua would grow up to be exceptionally handsome someday. They hadn’t yet seen Alluka.
Hisoka glanced at the room they were in again. They were in an expensive hotel in Zaban City, Kukan'yu Kingdom. Killua requested they meet there, Illumi didn’t question it, Hisoka could only guess this was neutral ground for Killua. He didn’t know where the younger siblings had been prior to this.
“Killua, dear, is that any way to speak about your brother-in-law?” Hisoka mused, referencing himself.
Killua shot Hisoka a malicious look but turned to Illumi in an instant.
“You told me this was an emergency! But what it actually is, is lunacy!” Killua continued yelling at Illumi.
Hisoka closed his eyes and smirked, things were going exactly as he expected them to. He’d warned Illumi twice on their way here. Illumi had insisted that it was a family emergency, that it was of “utmost importance” for the siblings to see each other.
Of course, the nature of the words was true but the intent wasn't.
Hisoka told his husband Killua would take this as lying, that he would have a very negative reaction, that he would instantly feel threatened. Illumi had said Killua would understand.
It’s not that Illumi didn’t understand emotions or people. True to his aura type, Illumi was impeccable at reading people and situations but “people” weren’t Killua. What Illumi failed to consider was the fact that although they were all involved as a family the focal point was Nanika. Nanika, who Killua overturned the family for, the little sister he so desperately fought to protect. One misstep, one single word out of place, and Killua would think Hisoka and Illumi were once again a threat to Alluka and Nanika.
A misstep, Hisoka considered, had just happened based on Killua’s reaction.
“Please lower your voice.” Illumi asked. Killua snorted but obliged.
“How do you possibly think I could ask her that? And the repercussions? The price for this request?” Killua’s bewilderment was understandable. Hisoka and Illumi almost killed Alluka because of the potential threat she might have been to their lives because of Gon but now they had come in asking for something even more obscene.
“This is precisely why I wanted you to make the request.” Illumi stated the obvious. There were no repercussions to Killua’s requests.
Killua looked at the floor and after a moment of silence he started giggling.
“Even if I could ask her, I would never do it for you. Neither will I allow our family to screw up another kid the way they did with us.” Killua stood his ground, his gaze icy as he spoke through gritted teeth at Illumi, his words venomous.
Illumi opened his mouth to speak but within that instance the Alluka’s door swung open. She looked at Killua first, confused, groggy from sleep, she didn’t look as if she had understood the conversation from her room but it had been enough to wake her up. Then she suddenly turned, realising it wasn’t just Killua that was there. Her grogginess seemed to disappear in an instant.
“Brother Illumi!” She announced happily, throwing herself at her older brother.
Hisoka still observed quietly. Alluka had grown as well although not by much and her appearance hadn’t really changed either. She threw her arms around Illumi’s torso, hugging him. Illumi clearly didn’t expect the sudden action but after a moment he relaxed and put his right hand on Alluka’s head.
“Hello, Alluka.” He greeted softly, acknowledging her. The gentle moment didn’t last long, however. Killua’s hand shot out and grabbed Alluka’s shoulder, pulling her back towards him and away from Illumi with and accusatory look on his face directed at his brother.
Hisoka had had enough at this point. They were going in circles, wasting time and Killua made it apparent he isn't interested in helping them. Hisoka stood up and walked over to Illumi, every step of his annunciated by the clicking of his heels on the Parquette flooring. He looked at Killua briefly, then turned his full attention to Illumi.
“Illumi, we came, we asked and this isn’t going anywhere. Let’s stop wasting time and go. I’m tired of Killua’s infantile behaviour.” At any given time, Hisoka did what he did best – agitated people.
“Infantile?!” Killua questioned, offended. The tirade that followed was solely focused on Hisoka now as white-haired boy screamed at him about how they were the ones being infantile with their ridiculous request. At least Hisoka’s plan had worked. Killua’s attention was now on him and Illumi could speak to Alluka alone. At this point, Hisoka thought, it would be better to speak to her or Nanika, than Killua.
Illumi quickly caught on to what Hisoka was doing. He did not want to proceed like this but it seemed to be the only choice now. He walked over silently to where the magician had sat previously on the couch and took his place there. Alluka followed suit like a puppy.
They both sat down, Illumi briefly looking at Killua and Hisoka arguing. He sighed. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Alluka had sat down within arm's reach of him. She was slightly turned over to him, expectantly looking over to him, waiting for him to speak to her.
Illumi was not sure what to say. Sure, he understood that Hisoka wanted to broach the subject with Alluka but Illumi was at a loss for words. Years of assassin training hadn't prepared him for asking his magical sister if she could somehow magically conjure him and his husband a child.
So, Illumi turned to her slowly, looked at her round and childish face and spoke:
“I hope all has been well with you and Killua?”
“Mhum,” Alluka affirmed excitedly. “Killua and I travel a lot. Although not as much recently.” Alluka looked down at her feet. “I think Kullua might be tired from so much travelling.” She laughed semi-nervously.
Brief silence fell between them.
“Brother Illumi, why didn’t you come visit us sooner?” Alluka asked.
“A decision was made it was best I did not approach you and Killu. For your safety.” Illumi explained but his explanation bordered on lying. Omitting the truth, really. Not only had their Father forbid him but Killua would be angry if he did.
Alluka looked at the floor, a sad smile on her face as she looked at the floor. She seemed less like a child then. She spoke:
“I’m glad you’ve come to see us. Even if it's for a little while. I know Killua looks angry right now but he’s happy too.” The younger sister said knowingly. This was no courtesy call.
Both of them stared out to Killua and Hisoka.
“I am sorry. I was hoping to speak to you and Killu more but I do not think I will be able to.” Illumi spoke, looking at Hisoka still purposefully annoying Killua.
Alluka nodded energetically, smiling suddenly as she turned back to Illumi.
“You don’t have to.” She said, a genuine child’s smile on her face. “You wanted to speak with Nanika, right?”
“Oh, you overheard.” Illumi’s voice sounded flat but his face showed some mild concern that their arguing might have woken her up.
Alluka smiled back. “You want to ask her something, right?”
“I do not think Nanika would like to speak to me. Which I understand.” Illumi looked out to Hisoka again. This wish wasn’t just about him. It was his husband’s wish too. Illumi felt strange in that moment. Disappointed and perhaps mildly saddened as the realisation of the fact that if Killua didn’t agree, Illumi would have failed to give Hisoka what he’d promised him – their own child.
“Don’t speak.” Alluka giggled but turned fully toward Illumi. She held out both her hands. Illumi stared blankly for a moment but eventually put his hands in hers. It looked ridiculous. His hands looked enormous compared to her tiny ones.
He closed his eyes, sighing. And the thought.
He thought about the little girl Hisoka had described to him. Black-haired and yellow-eyed, with all the abilities and prowess of a Zoldyk assassin and Hisoka’s charm and love for fighting. Both beautiful and violent. Would she be calm and absent-minded like Illumi himself or joyful and completely insatiable as Hisoka was?
Illumi could picture himself training her to fight, to shoot, to effectively take down targets with minimal effort, to teach her at length about their Zoldyk family history, to be there for her when her poison-resistance training started and making sure she's an excellent assassin. He could also picture Hisoka training her, making a game of each and every challenge he’d make her do, maybe even taking her to the Heaven’s Arena.
“Ai.” Illumi’s train of thought was cut short at the low sound, his eyes opened and faced black two black chasms where Alluka’s blue eyes had once been.
Low as it was, Killua heard it. So did Hisoka.
The entire room grew silent withing a second and felt like the world had stopped turning.