Twenty Five
A/N: Paired with Animals. Not much by way of fluffy Christmas story line. Just something to get you thinking. Merry Christmas!
Shizuo waved haphazardly as Tom bid him good evening. The usually bright Sunshine 60 was now obnoxiously decorated in Christmas lights but all Shizuo wanted was to keep his head down. Watching his feet and ignoring the lights as he headed to his apartment.
Another Christmas Eve alone. Big surprise there.
He stopped at an intersection with a group of chattering people. Gift bags in hand and either irritated or joyously animated. Some cars passed but he knew the black foreign car well. She was most likely in the back seat blankly staring out the window.
But never mind that. Something was bugging him, like he was being watched...
Two more blocks to home.
Finally.
In the door, shoes off. His phone beeped.
"What do you want for Christmas?"
It was a good question. He thought about the black foreign car and how much he wanted something he didn't think he had. He typed a reply. "Something brave."
Izaya frowned at the grubby apartment building. Maybe he should have verbally taunted his monster? But usually just his presence was enough to send the blonde over the edge.
Well it was Christmas Eve and he did share Shizuo's lack of enthusiasm for the holiday.
He huffed. This sucked.
He decided to give her a call.
"Hello?"
"Merry Christmas Nai-kun!"
"Whatever. What the hell gave you the bright idea to call me?"
"The protozoan's gloomy face did. I couldn't even get him to notice me."
"Boo hoo. I'm not here to cheer you up."
"So mean." He whined.
"Goodnight."
Not too soon after she hung up his phone buzzed and gave a little jingle. "What do you want for Christmas?"
He typed without hesitation, "Something mine."
Nai closed her phone with a sigh and went back to staring from the car window. She'd give anything for it to be the day after tomorrow.
Christmas was so much more fun as a child. As a criminal it was just another day, albeit an obnoxious one.
Maybe she'd get actual coal this year.
The car pulled into the drive and shortly after her door was opened. "Merry Christmas my lady."
Midnight already? She smiled weakly and headed inside.
Maybe she should wish him a Merry Christmas. No... Maybe not. Shizuo would just think his phone going off at midnight was annoying.
There was a beautifully wrapped box on the bed. She rolled her eyes. What kind of gift do you give a criminal?"
Her phone beeped loudly, lighting up in her hand. "What do you want for Christmas?"
Oh, that was an easy one. "Something good."
"Shinra what are you doing?"
The doctor smiled at Celty, "I'm testing a theory."
The dullahan read over the texts he sent and received, "You asked them what they wanted for Christmas?"
"Yup. And they're all pretty hopeless."
"They seem so vague..."
"I know. But I get it. Shizuo doesn't think he's very brave and Izaya is just being as stingy as always. Nai wants something good since she only sees herself as a bad person."
"That's sort of sad..."
"It is."
"So what are you going to do?"
"There's nothing I can do."
Celty was confused. But she let it go. Maybe he had a plan. Maybe he was just poking around. Either way she felt bad for them.
They knew what they wanted, but to what lengths would they have to go to in order to obtain it?