This was written as a Christmas gift for my amazing, wonderful partner, V! ( VENOMOUS12345). Because apparently the only thing that can make me stop writing so much angst is a major holiday lmao. This fic is 200% fluff, and I regret absolutely none of it. Enjoy!

SMALL DISCLAIMER: Within this story, there's mentions of a dog character that appears in my multi-chap HisoIllu story, titled "Marionette". For anyone wondering where Saki came from, she was introduced in that story.

It wasn't very often that the nameless city Heaven's Arena was based in had a major snowstorm, but a blizzard was practically unheard of. The snow was falling so thick and heavy outside that it was nearly impossible to see anything, and there was an icy cold wind blowing that only added to the absolutely frigid temperatures.

Illumi Zoldyck was supposed to be home about half an hour ago from his most recent mission, but it seemed the weather had held him up. Hisoka was starting to get worried. There was a pretty good chance Illumi would wind up getting himself lost while trying to walk through the city.

Of all the days the weather could've acted up like this, why'd it have to be today? Hisoka wondered to himself, sitting down on the white couch in the living room next to Illumi's brown-and-caramel Australian Shepherd, Saki. The large, fluffy dog looked to be half asleep, but she lifted her head and woofed softly at Hisoka in greeting. He reached over and ruffled the soft fur atop her head. It's Christmas Eve, for goodness sake. I hope he can find his way back in time for Christmas.

Hisoka had decided to decorate his floor a little bit while Illumi was gone. There were warm golden and red lights strung around the living room, lining the walls and the glass coffee table in front of the couch, filling the room with a soft orange glow. Atop the coffee table was a large bowl full of peppermint candy canes. There was also a big red bow tied around Saki's neck over her black collar. It wasn't the most extravagant Christmas display in the world, but Hisoka had a feeling Illumi wouldn't like an overabundance of lights, seeing as his family had never really celebrated Christmas before.

But... None of that would really matter if Illumi couldn't make it home in time to see it.

Hisoka got up to pour himself a glass of wine before returning to the couch, gazing out one of the full-length windows. Outside, the air was so thick and heavy with grey clouds and snow that the unnamed city far below Hisoka's floor wasn't visible.

Wherever Illumi is, I hope he's alright.

It was almost three hours later, when the sun had set and it became so dark outside that the only thing visible were the large snowflakes bumping against the windows, that Hisoka finally heard the soft sounds of the front door opening and closing again.

He turned to see his husband standing there, half-melted snowflakes caught in his waist-length black hair. Illumi was clad in a white button-up trench coat and black leggings, with knee-high, fur-lined brown boots. He would've looked absolutely adorable if not for the fact he was obviously miserable.

Saki leapt off the couch and bounded over to her master, woofing at him in greeting. Illumi bent down to pat her head, causing some of the snowflakes on top of his head to drift to the wooden floor and melt there, forming tiny droplets of water.

"There you are!" Hisoka exclaimed, springing to his feet and darting over to help the smaller male out of his coat. "I was beginning to worry about you. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." was Illumi's blunt response. "It was a bit difficult to get back, though. I don't think I've ever seen weather this bad before."

"I'm sorry, darling. My goodness, you must be freezing." Hisoka hummed, lightly brushing flakes of snow off Illumi's head.

Illumi craned his neck, peering around Hisoka's broad frame at the living room, softly illuminated by the Christmas lights. "That looks pretty. Did you put those up while I was gone?"

"Yeah, I did. Do you like it?" Hisoka asked back, turning around and hanging Illumi's coat up on the rack behind him.

"It looks quite pleasant." was Illumi's response.

Hisoka beamed and pulled the ravenet into a tight embrace. He noticed how abnormally cold the assassin's skin was, but didn't pay it any mind for the time being.

"I'm so glad you're home, Lu-chan. Although Saki's been keeping me company for the past four days, I still really missed you."

"I missed you, too." Illumi closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against the redhead's shoulder, tentatively placing his small, slender hands on Hisoka's sides.

"Mmmm, you smell like snow." Hisoka purred, brushing Illumi's hair aside so he could nose at his neck affectionately. "Why don't you come in and sit down? I'll get some blankets and fix you something warm to eat."

"It's warm here. I don't wanna move yet." Illumi replied, stubbornly. He tilted his head to one side as Hisoka began trailing kisses up the side of his neck.

"Would you like it if I carried you?" Hisoka asked, before pressing an open-mouthed kiss to the crook of Illumi's neck.

Illumi considered this for a moment before shaking his head. "Not really."

Hisoka grinned and slid his arm down to the back of Illumi's thighs. "Oh, don't be silly. I'm not taking no for an answer today." with that, he scooped Illumi up with ease, turning around and carrying him into the living room bridal-style.

Illumi let out an indignant squawk and threw both arms around Hisoka's neck instinctively. Hisoka just laughed and pecked his lips lovingly before plopping him down on the couch unceremoniously.

"Good grief." Illumi grumbled, dusting himself off modestly and taking his boots off so he could draw his knees up to his chest, curling into a little ball in an attempt to warm himself up.

"I'll go get you some blankets." Hisoka said, bending down so he could press a gentle kiss to Illumi's porcelain-pale forehead.

"Mm. Okay." the young Zoldyck nodded, reaching up and lightly touching the magician's cheek.

Hisoka put his hand over Illumi's much smaller one and tipped his head to kiss the inside of Illumi's wrist before pulling away and wandering off to find some blankets.

Saki jumped up on the couch a moment later, bright pink tongue lolling out of her mouth. She flopped down beside Illumi, propping her head up on his stomach. He reached down and stroked her fur lovingly, letting out a sigh of contentment. It was good to be home after four days of being separated from his husband and his beloved dog.

He was still extremely cold, though. His fingers were numb and his limbs were stiff, almost as if his blood had begun to freeze inside his body.

Fortunately, Hisoka was more than willing to help fix that issue. A moment later, he came out of his bedroom with an armful of fluffy throw blankets. He knelt down on the floor in front of the couch and began wrapping the blankets around Illumi's shoulders, concealing his entire lean figure with them.

"Better?" Hisoka asked, once the last blanket had been draped over Illumi's body.

"A little." Illumi nodded, scooting over and leaning off the edge of the couch so he could rest his head on Hisoka's shoulder trustingly. "You're warmer than the blankets, though. Sit with me?"

"Of course, darling." Hisoka beamed, standing up and turning around so he could sit down next to his husband. Once he'd done that, he slid his arms around Illumi's slender form, pulling him into his lap. Illumi didn't hesitate to snuggle up against Hisoka's broad chest, pressing his face into the crook of his neck. "I know you weren't gone that long, but... I really did miss you."

"Yeah, same. It's so weird sleeping by myself now, I'm so used to waking up next to you that it almost feels wrong being alone." Illumi agreed, sliding one hand out of the blankets to grip Hisoka's shirt, fingers tangling in the soft fabric.

Hisoka nodded and combed his fingers through silky strands of straight black hair, relishing the feeling of Illumi's warm weight against his chest. Illumi wasn't heavy at all. In fact, he was alarmingly lightweight for someone of his height. It was hard to believe that he was only a couple inches shorter than Hisoka, given how light he was.

Illumi let out a soft noise akin to a purr when Hisoka ran his thumb back behind his ear, lightly massaging the sensitive skin there.

"You're so cute, Illu." Hisoka remarked, sliding his free hand under Illumi's chin and gently tilting it upward so he could connect their lips.

Illumi kissed the magician back without hesitation, nipping lightly at his bottom lip before pulling away and giving Hisoka a weird look. "I'm an assassin. Assassins are not cute."

"Bullshit." Hisoka snickered, kissing the tip of Illumi's nose. "You know I love you, right?"

"I don't think I could ever forget it since you're constantly reminding me. I love you too, by the way." was Illumi's blunt response.

A companionable silence fell over the two. Hisoka kept playing with Illumi's hair, occasionally tracing random patterns along his scalp. Illumi had pressed his face into the crook of Hisoka's neck again and seemed to be falling asleep.

Hisoka could feel Illumi's breath against his shoulder. It was lengthening, evening out. Upon realizing this, Hisoka kissed the top of Illumi's head before continuing to comb his fingers through long black hair.

Poor thing must be exhausted. He was only gone for a few days, but... assassination isn't exactly an easy business and the nasty weather must've caused all sorts of complications... Hisoka thought to himself, even as he felt the last little bit of tension leave Illumi's body. He's sleeping now. That's good. I'll have to carry him to bed in a little bit, once I'm done cuddling him.

Afew long moments passed before Hisoka shifted, deciding it was time to get up and go to sleep. Unfortunately, this sudden movement disturbed the creature sleeping in his lap. Illumi stirred and cracked one eye open, staring at Hisoka with obvious annoyance.

"You woke me up." the ravenet grumbled, his voice soft and drowsy.

"I'm sorry, darling. I didn't mean to." Hisoka apologized, wrapping both arms around his husband's slender waist and kissing his temple. "I think it's time for bed now, though. You're all worn out, and I want to be up early enough so we can spend all day together tomorrow."

"Oh, alright." Illumi blinked a couple times before sliding off Hisoka's lap and standing up.

The two made their way to their shared bedroom, hand in hand. As Illumi changed into a more comfortable pair of clothes, Hisoka found himself thinking about just how lucky he was.

Illumi was the total package. He was intelligent, beautiful, and strong. He was physically flexible to the point it was a wonder his spine didn't snap, his Nen was absolutely incredible, and his abysmal black eyes we're perhaps the most gorgeous thing Hisoka had ever seen.

Yes, Hisoka was extremely lucky. He had somehow wound up married to the most amazing man in the world.

He did notice something odd as Illumi crawled into bed beside him and flicked off the lamp on their nightstand, though.

"Illu... Is that my shirt?" Hisoka asked, pulling the ravenet flush against him so he could tug lightly at the shirt he was wearing.

"Yes." Illumi replied, dryly. "You can't have it back, if that's what you were wondering."

"Hmm, but it's my shirt. What on earth do you need one of my shirts for, darling?" Hisoka's hands lingered against Illumi's hips, feeling the warmth of his skin through the shirt he was wearing.

Because Hisoka was a bit broader in the shoulders and chest, naturally his clothes would be a size or two too big for Illumi. Just the thought of the intimidating Zoldyck clad in a shirt that was ever so slightly too big for him was enough to make Hisoka grin from ear to ear.

"It smells like you. Besides, it was the first thing I saw. I was too lazy to seek out anything else." Illumi shrugged, the motion barely visible in the dark.

"Huh. That's odd. What do I even smell like, if that's not too weird to ask?" Hisoka wondered, lightly caressing Illumi's sides through the thin fabric concealing his torso from view.

"I dunno. Nice things." Illumi shrugged again.

"Awww." Hisoka smiled, draping an arm over his husband's side, keeping them close together. "Well, I won't bother you anymore. Get some sleep. Goodnight, Lu-chan."

"Goodnight." Illumi replied, after a moment of silence. Based off the sluggish tone in his voice, he was already half asleep.

Hisoka sighed happily and buried his face in the soft strands of hair atop Illumi's head, closing his eyes and allowing himself to gradually drift off to sleep.

Even though Illumi had to leave for days at a time to complete assassination jobs, even though they weren't a normal couple at all, Hisoka was still extremely happy. He doubted he'd ever find someone who could entertain, satisfy, and yet still intrigue and surprise him all at once like Illumi did.

Originally they had thought they'd wind up killing each other. Maybe someday, they would. But for now, they were little more than a married couple, living out their days together.

As Hisoka fell asleep, he couldn't help but think that he was extremely excited to spend Christmas with Illumi. It wouldn't be a traditional holiday by any means, but at least it gave them an excuse to stay in and spend the entire day together. That was all that mattered.


A/N: alright alright, I admit it. This one-shot was both super short and super OOC. Listen, I just wanted to write fluff and sadly Hisoka and Illumi are only in character when they're being smutty or angsty. It's extremely difficult to write HisoIllu fluff because they aren't fluffy people by definition. I still hope you enjoyed reading this regardless!

And to V, who this one-shot was intended for, I just wanna let you know that you really are the most amazing person I have ever met. You've no idea how lucky I feel to have you as both a partner and a best friend. What with how shitty my mental health is, I don't think I would've made it to this holiday season without you, so thank you for everything you do. Thank you for existing, for that matter. I know this little one-shot wasn't much, and it certainly wasn't as good as some of the other stuff I write, but it's the least I can do to express how much I appreciate you. I love you times infinity to the power of infinity (don't try to top that or else I'll get my trap cards!)

-UltimatexAdmin