"I miss you."
The words had been uttered so abruptly, Izaya merely blinked.
"Excuse me?" He responded, reclining back in his swivel chair with a light frown and internal pang of dull amusement. Despite his questioning tone, the raven knew exactly who had called him and blurted out the confession. The other end of the phone had fallen silent, prompting Izaya to entertain himself by watching the actions of the little boy that bore a striking resemblance to the information broker.
"…I really miss you, Iz. I'm so-"
"Ne, ne, Shizu-chan. You lost the permission to call me that when you lost my trust." He had been quick to correct the other. He didn't want anything that would be able to reignite the tender fire in his heart.
"Sorry…"
"Hm."
"…"
Izaya simply snorted at the pitiful quietness that had bestowed the other once again. He pondered the idea of taunting Shizuo with deep-cutting remarks and whole-hearted insults. However, these thoughts fluttered out of his head as something small tugged at his leg. If it hadn't been his cherished son, he would have completely ignored the distraction but over the years, Izaya had unintentionally developed a gentler side. A side that was only reserved for his son.
"Daddy? Who are you talking to?" The petite boy asked, large scarlet hues peering up as he continued to yank softly at the soft fabric of Izaya's slacks.
"Ah, nothing for you to worry about, Yuji. It's just an extremely irksome man." Izaya answered, masking his raw emotions with a smile. The caller emitted some sort of choked splutter.
"Irksum? What's that mean, daddy?" Yuji questioned, clambering onto his father's lap with little difficultly. He gazed up at Izaya, his eyes appearing to harbour all the innocence in the world.
"Irksome, Yuji. It means really annoying." Izaya replied, moving his free hand so it would rest upon his son's head. He absent-mindedly threaded his digits through the jet black hair, thoroughly entertained by the fact that the boy's curious expression had now shifted into one of childish fury.
"Annoying?! Why would anyone dare to annoy my daddy?!" Yuji exclaimed, pounding his petite fists against Izaya's chest. "I'll kill him! I'll kill him so he doesn't annoy daddy anymore!"
"Y-Yuji…"
Izaya's smirk spilt apart the seemingly loving smile that had previously been plastered on his face. He had heard Shizuo's broken mutter of their son's name, and he felt an overwhelming sense of pride.
The boy continued to yell similar threats, only shutting his lips as his father's hand came to caress his pale face.
"Hush now, Yuji. Annoying monsters like him don't deserve anymore of your attention." Izaya instructed, his smirk widening at the loyal nod that the boy preformed.
"Yes, daddy." Yuji responded swiftly, leaning into the larger body and burying himself in the other's cotton shirt.
"And as for you, Shizu-chan." Izaya could almost visualize the look on Shizuo's face. Hurt and on the verge of sobbing. Just what he deserved for leaving him and Yuji, exactly four years ago.
"Don't ever call me again. Or I'll have Yuji come after you." Izaya hung up.
Shizuo would have chuckled at the thought of a five year old attempting to hurt him, if it wasn't for the tears cascading down his cheeks.