Hello readers~ This is my first attempt at a Durarara! story. It takes place after episode 12.5. And yes, this is going to be a BL fic. Izaya/Mikado seriously needs more love. There are only hints of it in this chapter, but I'll definitely add more BL themes later on. So if you don't like it, don't read it. Simple as that.

Oh, and about the title...It'll make more sense as the story progresses.

Disclaimer: I do not own Durarara!. This is completely fan-made.

Hope you enjoy~

It was a warm, peaceful afternoon in Ikebukuro. Summer break was over, and it was the first day back to school. Mikado Ryugamine, Masaomi Kida, and Anri Sonohara were currently having lunch on the rooftop of Raira Academy. Masaomi was eyeing the girls below while Anri was concentrated on eating her food. Nothing was out of place in this setting, and everyone was happy with returning to the peace and tranquility of their everyday lives.

Well, almost everyone.

Nothing happening, nothing changing. Much to Mikado's dismay, this statement seemed to fit in too well with the setting. As a boy who sought the extraordinary, even though Masaomi and Anri were always present, days like this bored him. He wanted more spice in his dull, bland life. He wanted to go back to the events a few months prior; to all the chaos with Yagiri Pharmacy, Celty's head, and the first Dollars meeting. The memory of it was so vivid that his heart started racing from the thrill he felt. A voice from that same day reverberated in his mind, and what it said still held a lot of value to Mikado.

"If you really want to escape the everyday, you must constantly evolve."

He remembered that the voice belonged to the information broker Izaya Orihara. The rest of their conversation replayed in his head as if it was on a record being shown on a big screen. He could still recall the certain way those russet eyes gazed right into his own blue ones. It was amazing how much this man knew; he was comparable to a prophet. There was no doubt that he was affiliated with many, if not all, of the unusual happenings in Ikebukuro. He seemed like an enigma of his own kind. Izaya was very interesting to Mikado, and since then, the boy wanted to know more about him.

"Having fun in La La Land?"

A voice and an arm that was thrown around his shoulders abruptly brought Mikado out of his thoughts, startling him. He turned his head only to look into the golden irises that belonged to none other than Masaomi.

"Daydreaming, huh?" he said. "You can save that for your classes. Lunchtime is valuable time that should not be wasted. It should be spent on eating, talking, being with friends, and scoping for chicks."

"Oh. Um, sorry about that," Mikado said timidly. From the plastic tray of sushi he bought on the way to school, he picked up a tuna roll and popped it in his mouth.

Masaomi's lips curved into a sly grin. "Judging from how dazed you looked, you must've been deep in thought. Who's the girl on your mind?" he asked, his eyes bright with interest. Then he leaned in close to his friend's ear to whisper something. "Don't tell me…Is it Anri-chan?"

Mikado choked on his sushi, but after some violent coughing, it was dislodged from his airway. "What?" he exclaimed, his face flushing pink with embarrassment. He turned to Anri, hoping that she didn't catch on. The bespectacled girl looked back at him and tilted her head, confused. "N-no, it isn't her or any other girl," Mikado replied, returning his attention to his male friend.

"Then is it a guy?"

"Masaomi!" he yelled, this time from repulsion. "Do you think I actually swing that way?" Some of the students below that had good hearing looked up, wondering what the ruckus was. Even though he didn't know it at the moment, Mikado actually did daydream about a guy. And even if he was aware of it, he would never admit it to Masaomi.

"Dude, get a grip. It's just a joke."

"It wasn't funny," Mikado rebutted. Nor will the rest of them ever be, he mentally added.

"Waah…That hurts," Masaomi whined, feigning sorrow in his voice.

Mikado sighed heavily and went back to eating his lunch. Then he heard another sigh, this time soft and contented. He turned to Anri, who was smiling and giving off a happy, cheerful feeling.

"Sonohara-san, you seem to be in high spirits," he remarked, smiling at her. "Did something good happen?"

"Eh? Ah…I guess so," she answered quietly, fiddling with her chopsticks. "It's because I like being back in school."

"Whaaaaaat?" Masaomi exclaimed, bewildered. "You mean you like boring classes, homework, and bitchy teachers? Weird."

"Masaomi, that's rude!" the dark-haired boy reprimanded.

"It's okay," Anri said calmly. "It's just that I'm glad that we're back to our daily routine. I don't know how else to say it, but…I guess I like that sense of familiarity whenever we're at school."

Routine…

"Huh. I guess starting new things can scare you easily. But have no fear, for Masaomi Kida is here~!"

Familiarity…

"What do you think of school, Ryugamine-kun?"

With a longing expression, Mikado stared ahead and spoke with apathy. "School bores me."

"…Ah." Anri looked down at her nearly empty bento box, unsure of what else to say. An awkward silence fell on the trio.

Masaomi, who was unnerved by the sudden quietness, was the first to break it. "I know a good way to fix your case of boredom, my dear friend~"

"And that would be?" Mikado asked, keeping the same tone and stare.

"Get a girlfriend."

"Best advice I've ever heard, especially coming from you," he mocked.

"I'm serious! Not only will having a girlfriend give you a spirit boost, but also make boring days fun." Masaomi smirked as he saw the other boy perk up with interest.

Mikado averted his gaze back to the other boy. "…Really?"

"Really. That is, if you and the said girl spend those days together. Think I'd lie to you?"

"No, but-"

"Great!" the blonde slung an arm over his male friend and ruffled his hair. "Does that mean you'll help me with my chick hunt after school?"

Mikado laughed heartily at this. "Not a chance," he answered flagrantly. A little chuckle came from Anri as Masaomi hung his head in disappointment.

"Bye guys!"

"See ya!"

"See you tomorrow."

It was sunset by the time the trio departed. Mikado watched his other two friends go their separate ways and disappear into the crowd before heading off in his own direction. As usual, the streets of Ikebukuro were packed, and he made sure to stay alert and keep clear of people passing by.

Along the way, he couldn't help but notice a young couple leaning against the wall of a building. They were in each other arms, locked in a tight embrace, whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears. Mikado quickly walked past them, silently commenting on how lucky the guy was. He had never noticed until now how much he wanted to be in the same position, to be held lovingly in someone else's arms. He desired this almost as much as he desired excitement. This is what I get for hanging out with Masaomi too much…

Thinking of him made Mikado remember the piece of advice he got. Perhaps his companion wasn't joking after all. Would having a sweetheart make things less dull? Would it make him appreciate the ordinary things more?

He decided against it. Despite how appealing the idea seemed, he wanted to find a way to escape the everyday, not cover up its monotony. This brought his memory back to the conversation with Izaya on that chaotic day, months prior. I should go visit him sometime and thank him for all he's done for me. Maybe he would have some more advice and help me out…I want to see him again. For some reason unknown to him, his heart started beating faster at the thought of meeting up with the informat. It felt strange to Mikado, and he didn't know why it happened only when he thought of Izaya. This wasn't the first time it happened, and the many times it happened before motivated the boy to see the man as soon as possible.

Why does he race through my mind like this...?

Since Mikado was too immersed in his own thoughts, he didn't realize how close to home he was until the run-down apartment he lived in was in plain sight. Not a lot of people passed through this part of the city, and tonight, there wasn't anyone else walking on the same street. Another uneventful day, he mentally noted as he walked on. However, what happened next proved him wrong.

He was only a few feet away from his apartment when the quiet of the dusk was shattered. All of a sudden, the roar of a man and the sound of running feet came from around the corner. The voice was deep and rough, and judging from what the owner of the voice yelled, it was obvious who it belonged to. What the boy heard made his heart skip a beat.

"IIIIIIIZAAAAAAAYAAAAAA!"

And Mikado's wish was fulfilled.

I'd really love some feedback on this, especially on the ending. Was my attempt at a cliffhanger successful, or should I have added more? I won't know unless you tell me, so please click on the nice little button below. :)

Thanks for reading! Please tune in to the next chapter when it's posted. ^_^