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Illumi never needs an alarm to wake up. Even when he's completely exhausted, he keeps a part of his brain awake. He was trained to do this when he was younger; as usual, any Zoldyck training comes with remarkably lasting effects.
When Illumi was younger, the training was solely a necessary survival technique that had to be learned: It wouldn't do for an assassin to ever be caught off-guard. When Illumi began living on his own, though, he discovered he could use this lucid brain space to hold any number of items of urgency for the upcoming day. It was simple enough to add any wake-up time necessary to his list of mental notes.
For mornings he doesn't need to be anywhere, he merely removes this little feature from his mind and lets his physical condition determine how long he sleeps. Today, however, he has to catch a train at 8 a.m. for a work assignment. Accordingly, he sits up in bed promptly at 7.
Hisoka, bruised and bloody, is in a deep slumber next to him. He'd been in a particularly brutal fighting match yesterday. As is his wont, he came home filled with so much adrenaline and residual bloodlust that he refused to settle down, even though it was fairly late. He'd swirled around the apartment, blustering about the finer points of his technique, cursing himself for a few mistakes that unfortunately made his victory a rather sloppy one by his standards.
Illumi usually indulges him in this behavior--he thinks that it's healthy to release steam, especially given the intensity of Hisoka's fights--but this time he was a little concerned. Hisoka was a bit more battered physically than usual. He wouldn't let Illumi look, but Illumi suspected he'd lost a couple of teeth based on the amount of ooze coming out of his mouth.
Plus, Illumi was tired and knew he himself needed to sleep. He enjoys how these episodes generally end--a nice long wrestle in the sheets together--but not when he has to get up at a specific time in the morning.
So he resorted to an extreme he rarely leans on: A cup of special tea--a Zoldyck family recipe that Illumi learned to prepare years and years ago. It tastes just like the blend Hisoka likes, so it's never a problem getting him to drink it, even with a badly damaged mouth. Illumi always makes himself a cup, as well, to companionably sip and ensure Hisoka will really not suspect anything.
The active ingredient, of course, will have no effect on Illumi whatsoever--but 20 minutes after it goes down, Hisoka inevitably falls asleep like a baby. Luckily, last night he drank the tea in the bedroom, or else Illumi would have had to lug him bodily into bed. This has happened before, and it's quite unpleasant. Hisoka is heavy as hell, especially when he's deadweight.
Illumi allows himself a brief stretch, arms reaching for the ceiling, then hops out of bed and takes a quick, efficient shower. He's fully dressed by 7:15. Walking into the kitchen, he makes himself a thermos of coffee and throws a few things into a backpack.
He jots down a note for Hisoka: Back by 5. In his precise, immaculate handwriting, he adds, Fuck you, drawing a heart underneath it. He thinks about mentioning Hisoka's teeth--missing anything this morning?--but, feeling charitable, decides against it.
Illumi glances at the clock. 7:25.
He walks, quietly, into the bedroom. Hisoka has kicked off the covers. His mouth is open, and there is an alarming amount of blood on the pillowcase.
Illumi, carefully, sits down on the bed and leans over, checking Hisoka's breathing. It's steady and even. Illumi nods in satisfaction. He doesn't like to knock Hisoka out in this manner, but sometimes Hisoka genuinely needs someone to override his manic periods. He'll get a good rest now. Maybe that mouth will heal up a bit, especially since he won't be talking nonstop for a few hours. Illumi pops a mental reminder into his always-lucid brain area to call the dentist.
7:28. Illumi makes a note of the time. He recalls the strength of the tea, and calculates rapidly in his head. He estimates he'll be receiving a text from Hisoka probably around 11. God damn it, I slept in so late, wasted the whole morning!
Using his imperceptible assassin's skills, Illumi draws the blanket and sheets over Hisoka's naked back without even a single rustle. The soundless hands smooth the bedclothes and gently tuck them around the sleeping figure. Hisoka does not stir.
Illumi, in a whisper-soft gesture, places one finger under Hisoka's chin and strokes him, lightly.
He bends and kisses Hisoka on the forehead. Then a lingering kiss on the tip of his nose. And, one on each cheek, being careful not to get any blood on his own lips. Illumi doesn't have time to wash up again; he has a train to catch.
Illumi straightens up, and, knowing that nobody can see him, allows a rare smile to bloom.
His lips move silently: I love you. He then tiptoes out of the room.
Picking up his backpack, he exits the apartment, closing the door with a solicitously quiet little snick.
7:30.
