Limbs were sprawled all over the leather couch as something important popped into Shizuo's head.

There's only two days till Christmas.

He couldn't believe that he had forgotten about the holiday that he used to fuss endlessly about. Furthermore, he could just recall his own voice prattling on about the day to someone else. Most likely Celty or Izaya.

His head suddenly jolted up from the pillow he had been resting on.

Shizuo hadn't gotten any gifts for anyone.

Audibly cursing wildly as he adjusted himself into a socially acceptable sitting position, he frantically drummed his fingers against his knee in thought. His cravings itched him to light a cigarette and inhale it's sweet fumes but he couldn't do that. Firstly, Shizuo's supply had been left at his own place. Secondly, Izaya was strictly against the idea of smoke contaminating his spotless apartment. And if it meant that Izaya would be happy if he temporarily restricted himself from indulging in his "cancer sticks", Shizuo would be glad to accommodate the raven's wishes.

It was the unspoken promise of making Izaya content that caused Shizuo's stomach to drop. If he didn't hand over a magnificent present on the dreaded day, he was sure that the other would not be pleased. Shizuo could already see the male's taunting smirk that would mask his own disappointment. He could also hear the remarks targeting the subject of his forgetfulness. He knew that Izaya would go all out on a gift for Shizuo and then merely brush it aside when he receives nothing in return.

As if it was something that he never cared about in the first place.

That was simply how Izaya was.

...

"…Iz?"

The dark haired male didn't turn his head away from the evening view of the city that his living quarters towered over.

"Shizu-chan?" He replicated the other's tone, mocking the faint anxiety that he had picked up on.

"…Shut up."

This short exchange of words had resulted in the invitation of silence. Izaya's amusement was reflected in the large window pane as he resumed to surveying Shinjuku. Shizuo lounged on one of the expensive sofas as he quietly attempted to invent a solution for his predicament.

When he couldn't come up with a suitable answer, he sighed heavily and leant back against the soft fabric. Shizuo glanced over at Izaya, who was still standing in the same spot. His gaze bore into the small of the man's back whilst his mind conjured up a makeshift response. He had been so enthralled with the idea; Shizuo barely processed Izaya's comment on how the blonde should "stop staring at him".

Izaya was smart. He was more than smart. There were no words that could fully describe the informant's intelligence. Thus, he would be able to easily assist Shizuo with his problem. However, there was a possibility that this plan would prove to be useless. And this was Izaya's willingness to cooperate.

With another deep sigh, he threaded his digits through his fringe.

"Izaya?"

"Yes, Shizu-chan?"

Shizuo prevented himself from mentally congratulating the fact that he had managed to capture Izaya's attention. That was often a challenge, if the male was busy observing his adored humans. It wasn't like he didn't hear the blonde; it was just that Izaya preferred to ignore Shizuo sometimes. He was almost certain that the other did this to aggravate him.

"What would you like for Christmas?"

It was a blunt statement, but Shizuo didn't really know any other way to phrase it.

"Christmas? I thought Shizu-chan had already purchased what he planned to mindlessly give away this year."

Not wanting to own up to the shame of his poor memory and overworked condition, Shizuo averted his eyes to his grey socks.

"Hm…Well, if you must know…"

He raised his head just as Izaya was spinning around to face him, the corners of his soft lips curling up with mischievous intent.

"I want the world."

"The world?" Shizuo furrowed his eyebrows as he echoed the other's wish. He didn't quite understand what Izaya meant.

"Yes. I want the world. I want Shinjuku. I want Ikebukuro. I want Tokyo. I want everything." The raven drawled out, gradually spreading his arms till they could not extend anymore.

"I want to be the king of the world. I want to see those silly humans worship me as their merciless ruler." The combination of the city lights and rays of the setting sun behind Izaya illuminated his sharp features and model-worthy figure. Shizuo's sight was automatically drawn towards the man's crimson eyes, which stood out from his dark outfit and pale complexion.

"I want to see it all fall apart." His hands came together, clashing with each other to generate a loud noise that caused Shizuo to jump up in surprise.

Without giving the ex-bartender time to fully comprehend his words, Izaya flashed a charming smile before turning around to gaze down at the city landscape.

The room was then filled with nothing but the sounds of breathing that emitted from the two men. Eventually, Shizuo leapt up onto his feet and hurried around the apartment, hastily locating his coat and shoes. Once he had suitably dressed himself for the outdoors, he exited the flat with a soft "I'll be back". However, before he had rushed out, Shizuo had pattered up to Izaya and pressed a chaste kiss against his smooth cheek.

After the blush had faded from his face, Izaya burst into a bout of laughter.

"As gullible as ever, Shizu-chan…"

...

Izaya had been slouched into his padded office chair when the sound of his front door unlocking, reached his tired ears. Due to the fact that his eyes were already shut, he didn't bother to open them and watch Shizuo gracelessly enter the open-plan room. He could already tell that it was the blonde and not some unfortunate soul who had decided to break in.

It was obvious.

Izaya heard the muffled shuffling of the man's feet as he slipped off his shoes to maintain the pristine state of his floor. He also heard the advancing footsteps abruptly grow subtler.

From Shizuo's point of view, it would be apparent that the informant had simply dosed off in his chair. That would have been expected, as it was way past midnight.

Nonetheless, Izaya was still awake and alert, so he listened intently to every sound that his boyfriend created.

"…Asleep?" The blonde murmured under his breathe, pressing the back of his free hand against Izaya's cheek. He swore faintly when he was met with cold skin.

Shizuo set down the box he had been carrying and carefully scooped the male up into his arms. He proceeded to effortlessly bring Izaya up to his bedroom, all the while fondly expressing his thoughts on the raven's "sleeping" face.

"So cute…"

Izaya was finding it increasingly difficult to withhold the blush that threatened to colour his face. He had resorted to tensing the muscles in his legs, as this was the least noticeable action he could perform.

Plus, he found it challenging to contain his affectionate smile as he felt Shizuo tuck him into bed with the gentleness of a mother. It was as if the other was scared that Izaya would break into pieces if he carried out one wrong move.

Just as Izaya thought Shizuo was about to head out of the dim room and return his attention to whatever he had been doing when he entered the apartment, the blonde beast surprised him once again.

Lips brushed over a section of his forehead before settling on a single spot. The soft flesh pressed warmly against Izaya's naturally chilly skin, and as must as he hated to admit it, the informant could feel a smile forming on Shizuo's mouth. He would much rather see the sentimental grin, than just feel it.

As soon as Shizuo had muttered a syrupy sweet "good night" and soundlessly walked out of the bedroom, Izaya tugged up the duvet till it was covering his entire head.

He wasn't blushing. No. No, of course not. Orihara Izaya's face wasn't red with embarrassment.

His chest wasn't pounding ridiculously loud due to a certain man's actions.

His body wasn't suddenly warming up at the innocent and loving treatment that he received.

He wasn't deeply in love with Heiwajima Shizuo. No, that would be absurd.

Izaya could lie to anyone and get away with it, but despite how hard he tried, he couldn't lie to his heart.