[Note: Canon diverges post-Raijin, meaning the events between Izaya and Shizuo afterward never occurred.]
It's a horribly mundane evening and it makes Shizuo's plans all the worse for Izaya. The brunet, in shorts, socks, and the other male's hooded sweatshirt, has just stuffed another slice of ootoro into his mouth when the blond turns to him and asks, "Would you marry me?"
Izaya jerks out of his curled lounging position on the couch, spitting out bits of rice with his harsh coughing. Somehow, he manages a choked, "What?"
"You heard me the first time." Shizuo's voice is less annoyed and more embarrassed, his body turned towards the other but flushing face aimed at the wholly forgotten television. The box he pulled from his pocket is held out in the small space between them, waiting to be accepted or rejected.
"I-... What?"
Shizuo thrusts the box at Izaya who peels back at the action, holding his polyester takeout box away from the jewelry box as if the engagement ring could taint his ootoro. The blond turns to face him, honey brown eyes open like windows for Izaya to see all of the swirling emotions. The fear of rejection slowly eclipsing the gentleness and whatever bravery that had been mustered to pop the question. Izaya can hear Shizuo's heartbeat over his own in his ears as he stares back into those eyes.
"It's a yes or no question," Shizuo says quietly as silence persists.
It's a stupid tradition neither of them need to indulge in. By now, both equally know that there's no other they want despite propositions from others. If anything, it makes their relationship more real to their enemies. Izaya may be a selfish fool, but he knows that they're each other's weakness and there are plenty that want to take advantage of that. He doesn't want to risk any possible scenarios that may or may not result in someone testing out the blond's tolerance for torture, and he certainly doesn't want to be in that position either.
Then again, Izaya Orihara is a fool. A very, very selfish fool. As the saying goes, the heart wants what it wants.
"Yes."
Izaya's pulled forward into an embrace the second the soft word leave his lips. The jewelry box falls to the couch as the takeout container spills onto the floor. He feels as if all of the blood in his body is suddenly pumping to his face and tries his damnedest to hide it against the blond's chest. His arms twine around Shizuo and the emotional security he feels from the hug is dizzying, his body now heavy and liquid-y. Izaya's far too lost in himself to realize Shizuo's mentally checked into cloud nine, brain floaty from the influx of lifting emotions.
"I love you."
Izaya's equally heartfelt response comes muffled through cloth, "Stupid Shizu-chan ruined my dinner."
They stay still in each other's arms until the brunet's lungs begin to beg for fresh air. The bright smile Izaya sees makes his body want to melt into a puddle as his brain screams regret at him. Shizuo's hands move to cup his shoulders and Izaya's skin tingles under the thick layer of clothing.
"I'm gonna go call Kasuka. And my mom." Shizuo speaks excitedly, his words pressing together. "And then probably Celty and Tom."
Izaya's rocked as the blond springs from the couch for his phone. He sits limply, exhaling heavily to regain some of his lost composure. His heart's still beating like a frantic drum and his cowardly, traitorous brain is working overtime to make his answer feel like a mistake. It succeeds in making him feel pathetic, but peering over the couch to see how exhilarated and animated Shizuo is on the phone in the kitchenette is all Izaya needs to feel somewhat secure in his emotional weakness. At least he has something he can gloat about having that Shinra and Namie don't to their faces.
"He said yes, Kasuka!" Izaya hears Shizuo cheer too loudly.
The brunet finally looks at the white jewelry box on the cushion. It's plain, no marking to tell where it was bought from. Izaya pops it open, the platinum band shining strongly despite the soft lightning in the living room. It's stark except for the stone, a brownish yellow octagon cut topaz. It's simplistic in design and a perfect fit for both of their tastes, despite the color not favoring Izaya as much as others might have.
"How did Shizu-chan afford this?" He blurts out.
"It's a family heirloom," Shizuo replies quickly, peeking out of the kitchenette.
Izaya narrows his eyes at the accessory, it's too unmarred by time for that to be true. He considers Shizuo lying and having asked for the money from his brother, but it makes no sense why he'd lie about it in the first place. He doesn't want to be suspicious, he just wants to enjoy the moment and his happiness. So Izaya tries to stop himself from being himself by pulling the ring out and slipping it on. The cold metal causes his skin to goosebump and the dark gem makes his pale skin all the more prominent. When he holds his hand out flat to see how it appears at a distance, Shizuo's voice comes from behind him.
"I love you."
Izaya startles, not even having heard the ringing of the blond's cellphone get closer.
"It's okay," Shizuo says when Izaya doesn't reply in turn. "It looks likes it belongs on you. Promise not to take it off during work?"
The brunet pouts as if his expression will do anything to hide his blush. "You think so low of me, Shizu-chan."
Shizuo leans over the back of the couch, holding the phone away from them both. "No, but I am thinking of you low right now." Izaya opens his mouth to retort when the other man swoops in for a kiss. Shizuo's lips are a bit chapped and he tastes of cigarettes and the sushi from his dinner, but the slow and smooth movements of the other's lips as he's gently opened up in the kiss are all Izaya needs to feel relaxed and at peace with thrusting himself out there emotionally. They've been "dating" for almost two years now, Izaya should know better than to think Shizuo will drop him and throw him aside like garbage by now. It doesn't stop his paranoid fears however, but the ring, the kisses, the words. They alleviate his ingrained worries like a salve to a wound.
"Hello?"
Shizuo jolts back like a teenager caught in the middle of a lecherous act, bringing the phone back to his ear. "Mom! I've got some great news!"
