dumbshow | don't stand so close to me

Maybe if he had let Illumi pick for him...

"Yes, that's right. No ideas?"

Scotch. But then it's just scotch. He's paying either way right? and Hisoka didn't even get some silly mixed drink either, see he can be good.

"Now you're asking for something to help you smile, that's prompting." A sigh. "Because I don't think you can do it."

He won't pay for a mixed drink. Well- he will, but he'll stare judgmentally about it. Unless it's on fire or something.

"That won't do either." Another shrug. "I told you you're bad at this."

It could be purple AND on fire.

FROWNS. "The point is for you to do it without me needing to make out. If you're able to, I can't be bad at it when I'm not purposely-" ....

Sigh.

Drinks.

"Killua listening to everything you say."

He'll pay for ten.

And ah- that's- this time when he fiddles with his glass he actually is thinking about it, it's a nice thought— But this is still Illumi.

So.

"He already does."

A laugh under his breath.

"Well he certainly doesn't sound like the brainwashed on now." Though Hisoka knows he suffers from his own ego at times as well. Another tip of his glass and he's closer to finishing, eyes sliding over to look at the bottles not far from their seat at the bar.

"The boy's done well to escape you Illumi, maybe if you had another approach."

Smiles, shrugging up a hand.

"Personally I'm rooting for him. He gets better and better at getting away from you every day." Seriously, have you seen him? He's gotten pretty fast.

If the sharp click of Illumi's glass hitting the bar didn't frighten a few nearby patrons, taking a look at his face now will. It's provocation, he knows- and maybe Hisoka is being genuine, but he doesn't care- but it's still so- it's still—

"Hisoka." He doesn't raise his voice, but his tone is positively dripping with distaste. "Don't get involved." Don't even talk about his family, it's not something an outsider should freely give opinions on. Illumi's eyes narrow, and while this isn't overstepping enough bounds to inspire him to bloodlust, it's not- the ideal reaction.

His mind races; Killua belongs to him, Killua does what he says and even if he isn't aware of it he still does, he always will, no one is going to get in Illumi's way if he has to raze whole cities to get what he wants he will—

He frowns sharply - actually frowns, not halfway - and makes a dark noise of anger in the back of his throat as he snaps his gaze away from Hisoka. If he were a "shut the fuck up" kind of guy, he'd say it. The negative atmosphere radiating off of him doesn't fade, he's- really fuming-

"Don't get close to Killua." In any way. "I'll kill you."

"Ohh-" A smile. He knows exactly what he's doing, saying what he is. Illumi's reaction is expected, though a little more vibrant than he thought it might be. Still, when the subject of his family is brought up, getting emotions like this are rather easy. Almost felt too easy this time though- he didn't say a word about getting near Killua. The liquor maybe? Or Illumi's pride on the manner is more fractured than he thought.

"Scary~" A whisper, facing away from him again, ahead, over the bar and finishing his glass.

"I won't lie- I'm interested, as I've been interested in you." A chuckle, eyes looking to him from the corner. "But you have my word as long as you don't over step your bounds either, hm?" As in don't touch Gon, that shouldn't need to be said, it's already been established.

Still- he plans to do whatever he wants by Killua should he get the chance. And he seems to be getting more and more chances to interact with him as time goes on. Hmm~ Whatever Illumi doesn't know won't hurt him.

Hisoka lifts his glass, wiggling it a little. Empty.

"I wouldn't want to harm our relationship after all- ah? A second drink for me then?"

There are too many people in this equation that should involve no one besides Illumi and Killua— he's only tentatively agreed to leave Gon alone, because Hisoka being after him seriously for killing the kid wouldn't do him any good, but sometimes... sometimes it's difficult.

This is one of those times. He's not interested in half-true declarations of mutual leaving these kids the hell alone, he's not, he's not even in the same galaxy—

He reminds himself Hisoka is useful - and if he had to, had to, he could kill him - and he makes himself listen. This isn't how a Zoldyck behaves, losing his control over an idle comment and staring at a glass of liquor like it's made some mistake by being in his hand. No, he's fine. He's abruptly fine, the tension going out of him at once like it simply evaporated. Where it's actually gone is anyone's guess.

He waves a hand at Hisoka, taking up his glass again with the other and drinking. "Go ahead."

Ah. But, "I'm going to remember that." You know, for when their respective 'words' disappear in an instant someday.

A laugh.

What a change. Did Illumi realize how emotional he got right there? Really- having family obligation sure seemed like a huge weakness. And he certain;y love tugging at those lose ends here and there.

"Please do." He certainly won't. This day will be gone like the rest tomorrow. A smile, sighing as he taps at the bar and orders a second drink. It's set down not long after, the clear liquid cast purple from the light of the bar under it shining up into his glass. Hisoka lifts it, swirling it momentarily, before drinking and setting it down.

"Will I never get that smile? Hm-" Looks to the tender. Sure- let's do that, Illumi's transparent after all.

Hisoka orders another drink and it's set down, a martini, purple in colour, and then the tender suddenly lights it on fire. "This one's on me, I swear."

Will he ever stop harping on the smile, more like. Illumi glances at him - ah, he can do that again without wanting to cut out his throat, good to know - and still doesn't smile.

Then there's a drink in front of him, and he isn't particularly impressed because he isn't that attracted to anything purple, surely— and then the drink is on fire. Oh. Oh, look at that. Illumi is definitely looking at it- he suddenly can't take his eyes off it, ah... This drink could kill a man.

"Oh," he says, and then, "You actually brought money?" Not that he's particularly concerned about the answer, now that he has this fine drink to look at it. He puts his other one down and reaches for the new one, although he seems to be on the fast track to sticking his hand into the flames - but no, it's not his hand he simply sticks into the flames but the round end of a needle he seems to have produced solely for sticking in a flaming drink.

It reminds him of his nen a little. He's considerably not aware of it, but if you squint- that little twitch at the corner of his mouth probably qualifies for a smile.

Uh, no. he likes teasing him, this is a part of your relationship. Teasing and favours. You rub his back, he'll rub yours, and sometimes tug your hair a little, or stick a sign to your back.

Hisoka's eyes follow the glass- to the fire, to Illumi's expression bored then entranced and he can't help but smile at it. It's cute how suddenly focused he is on it. Yes, it could. Splash it in someone's face, pour it into their mouth still ablaze. Anything that kills or is fierce seems to make Illumi interested, like a cat. Again, cute. He watches him now, eyes sticking as he sips his own drink.

"No." Sticks his tongue out a little. Sorry he fibbed, he's got no money on him.

"Really now, playing with your food." A snort, watching the needle and finding the little show too entertaining. "You're supposed to drink it." Oohh- a smile, maybe?

Sort of?

This relationship is not nearly balanced enough. Kill more people for him.

"Didn't think so." When does Hisoka ever have money on him? Illumi doesn't think he's known that to happen enough times to be more than a happy accident. Like maybe he stole someone else's money on the way to spend Illumi's anyway- "accident." Still, it doesn't actually matter which might be due to the drink being so captivating. He doesn't actually look away from it, just holds the needle there still and spins it slowly between his fingertips, dangerously close to brushing them through the flames.

This might be more fun than scotch. At least right now.

"I'm going to drink it." Eventually, when he's done playing with it. It's only a few more moments before he lifts the needle out of the fire and looks at it closely, although it's unchanged - just hot, which doesn't stop him from letting it fall into his palm and squeezing it. That's going to leave a mark, but he's already leaning forward to blow out the flaming drink as if this has all been very ordinary.

Okay, though- this one is definitely a smile, or at least his mouth moving in an upward curve and failing utterly to reach his eyes. There's a wire crossed or detached in him somewhere, so—be satisfied with this much. "Well, I'm not above bribery."

For him? Wow Illumi, you dream big. Hisoka would rather kill for himself, okay? Also his killed your butler, aren't you mad.

Hisoka never had money, except with that Hunter Card of course. Sure, he has a few bank accounts- scattered, but he often forgets where and how much he has. Maybe he'll find one with a good chunk of interest collected one day. Get college for the kids, a farm out somewhere, some sheep- yeah, really nice.

"Are you." But Illumi says that with such- confidence and almost joy in his expression and words (For himself anyway) that Hisoka's smile is a lot more genuine than usual. The hot needle falls and he hears a slight sear of flesh and feels something twist in his chest a little at it. Illumi was- such an odd masochist at times- and with this whole needle theme he had going. It was silly but- Hisoka can't really blame him.

"Bribery?" A glint in his eye, catching the smile and strangely wanting to see more of it. "I'm listening."

Considering exactly what Illumi did to his other butler- butlers, multiple times- nah. Gotoh was pretty useful, but they can get another capable butler soon enough.

He nods, though, and drops the needle onto the bar with a clink to pick up the no longer flaming drink. The burn on his hand is clear enough even in the dim (and purplish) lighting, angry and dark red and sore in the middle of his pale skin. His fingers are striped with heat as well, but the palm carries the bulk of the injury. Illumi doesn't even look at it as he peers at the drink and takes a careful sip. If it tasted horrible after all that, that would be so- sad.

Ah, but it's good. In that case, "Yes. Try to pay for one of these yourself, next time."

He has simple needs, okay.

True, that is true. Illumi certainly took the whole 'servant' thing to a slave level, and his idea of expendable has always been rather fierce. Hisoka's rather sure he's been avoiding that title so far- though, while he himself is fickle, Illumi tends to change his mind for other reasons.

A glance to the needle and he moves his hand to pick it up if Illumi doesn't stop him. An inspecting sound, thoughtful as it rumbles in the back of his throat before looking up to watch Illumi and his drink.

"Pay for one- ah maybe I'll buy your second one." Smiles, using his other hand to hold up a woman's pocket book- which he got just a few minutes ago. It's black with small gemstones and a picture of a skull on it. He has the purse too but- that's now stuck to the ceiling out of view.

Despite... everything about how Illumi treats people as a whole, Hisoka is in a category all his own. Illumi won't go as far as "friends" for his usual host of reasons, but there is something to be said for the one person not blood-related to him he actually willingly spends time around. "Expendable" isn't the right word, but if Hisoka crosses one line too many, Illumi wouldn't hesitate.

So, that's friendly, right? Right.

He doesn't stop Hisoka from taking the needle - he has more, and it's just an ordinary one, without his nen covering it - and arches an eyebrow over his drink. "Sure."

Ah, what is he being bribed for again, he already smiled... "You're surprisingly serious about this."

To be fair, Hisoka won't go as far to say 'friend' either.

Well no, he'll say it.

But it's usual with humour behind it. Playful. To say he's ever had an actual friend is going far beyond what he has experience with- or wants to have experience with. Attachments like that are unnecessary, ya know? And that extends to the concept of family as well. For him anyway. It's easy for him to over look those ties being raised as he wasn't.

"I'm quite capable of serious." A smile, tipping a shoulder before going to drink from his own glass again and tapping at the bar. He points to Illumi's drink- and the tender'll start preparing another one. "This isn't serious though, it's harmless fun~!"

Friends are a poisonous, stupid concept— but they'll always disagree on family. That's fine, because only one family actually matters. How convenient.

"If you say so," Illumi says, and it's not a disagreement. This isn't not fun, he did decide on it himself, but he's also not bouncing off the walls. To be expected, really. This time when Hisoka signals for another drink he turns to watch, and when it's set in front of him- he still has this first one.

Well, he won't let the freshly alight one go to waste. He hums, tipping back the rest of the first drink in one go and setting the glass aside. There, now the new drink gets his undivided attention. "That's better."

'Friends are a poisonous, stupid concept- -- Illumi everyone, tip your waitress.

Right? And he has nothing else to do right now, so this isn't wasting time. Besides, keeping in a good relationship with Hisoka (whatever a good relationship is with him) is important so they can continue to want to do favours for eachother. Hisoka never expects to get Illumi that excited, he knows what it is to spend time with the younger man. But that's fine, he likes this as it is Illumi is interesting and impressive. Hence no boredom.

"That's better?" Chuckling, leaning on a hand as he curls over the countertop to look at him. The pocket book on his lap between his legs. He strokes over the slick fabric with his fingers tips, focusing on the cool against his skin as his eyes go to stare at the heat rising off the new drink.

"Fairly sweet right? And strong enough to catch fire." Smirks. Yes, drink it, keep drinking. He wants to see where this goes. Though for some reason he imagines Illumi as the type of drunk not to seem drunk until he's made to move--

Or an angry drunk.

He's hoping for the latter.

He's not wrong—maybe.

This drink doesn't get the same special treatment as the last. That is, Illumi doesn't feel the need to stick needles in it, although he does take a moment to stare appreciatively at the flames. It looks nice and it doesn't taste half bad, but the whole package - the color, setting it on fire, making it a spectacle - makes it more a performance than is usually his taste. He orders simple drinks because they're simple; ice, liquor, glass, done— and this one is leaning heavily toward absolutely ridiculous.

"I can see why you picked this one," he says innocuously enough, and leans forward to blow it out. Well, innocuously enough until he adds, "Although it's not as flashy as I expected."

He will still knock it back, though.

Sure is Hisoka's taste though. Performance, pizzazz! Hisoka in a nutshell. Maybe Illumi's love for this drink is like his love for Hisoka. Not bad, but not amazing, but he can appreciate it well enough and would rather it accessible to him rather than not.

"As you expected? Well next time we'll have to hit a pub!" Some foreign style totally not!German place where you drink a lot of liquor out of a massive fancy boot while people scream and sing and count how long it takes. These two missed out on possibly amazing college party years.

"Well you usually stick to the same stuff, is it the same things your father goes for when he tips back?" 'Father' is said with a lot more emphasis than it should be. Unf, your hot dad, man.

A... pub. A pub? Is it a purple pub, is it a pub where anything on the shelf is worth more than maybe spitting on the ground? Like, he'll go, but he won't drink out of a boot. Hisoka can drink out of a boot for them both.

"Sure," well, whatever, and then, "I don't drink with my father, though. We don't have anything to talk about aside from work."

Watch as he skillfully ignores Hisoka's hard-on for daddy dearest. Again. But if he had to guess, based on the time he's spent silently observing the man without actually engaging with him on the level that, say, Killua seems to need to—

"We don't agree on very much."

"Such a close family." Smiles.

"Surely you've seen him drink, perhaps as a child, he influenced you? Well, besides how he influenced you." Made you into the terrifying monster you are now.

"Hmm- don't you?" Pokes at. Idly swishing his drink around.

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