Surprise! ^_^

Warnings: underage sex, underage drinking, frequent discussion of suicidal thoughts and past attempts

I do not own Durarara! or any of the characters.

5 Months Earlier

"How is he? Can I see him?"

"He's in a coma right now, but it looks like he'll pull through. Only legal guardians and immediate family members can see him until his legal guardian specifies otherwise."

Izaya fell back into his seat, unable to stand anymore due to his overwhelming relief. He spoke in a hushed tone, not wanting to disclose his personal business to anyone. "You're speaking about Kida Masaomi?"

"I am. Are you his legal guardian? I need you to sign a few forms."

"No," he said quietly—but he would be.

"Sir?"

Izaya narrowed his eyes. "Do you need me at this moment? You can't wait?"

"Well… I suppose we can hold off on the paperwork for now."

"I'll contact the front desk when I'm ready. I have some things to take care of first." Once the man had left, he pulled the note Masaomi had written out of his back pocket. After reading it, he returned it to his back pocket, left the hospital, and made a few calls, using many resources and a lot of blackmail to be appointed as Masaomi's legal guardian.

He filled out a few forms when he returned to the hospital, and then walked into Masaomi's room. He sat on a chair next to his bed and grabbed the boy's hand, placing a gentle kiss on it. "Masaomi…"

Present Day

He visited nearly every day. Since it was a regular occurrence, word had spread that Orihara Izaya regularly saw a teenage boy in the hospital. Practically all of Ikebukuro knew. Because it was now common knowledge, Izaya had considered moving Masaomi to a different hospital, or even to his own home, but he had paid for a secluded, luxurious room, and the staff at the current hospital were courteous. They were also wary of the informant, and kept any suspicious visitors away from Kida's room, knowing that Izaya would somehow find out if they slipped up. He had a nurse call him whenever someone signed in to see the boy, which was a rarity, anyway. Nobody would harm Masaomi under his watch, or they—and anyone involved—would face the wrath of one of the most dangerous and deadly men in Tokyo.

As always, he signed in, acknowledged the nurses, ignored the stunned other visitors, and strolled into Masaomi's room, shutting the door behind him. He sat in the armchair next to the bed and gazed at the boy.

"Some say that comatose patients can hear what's going on around them," he mused. "I see it as wishful thinking, but I understand how it could be therapeutic to have this belief. After all, I come here and speak as if I'm having a conversation with you. It's kind of nice, not having to hear your bratty complaints and sarcastic insults. Still, I do miss conversing with you. You're quite intelligent for your age; you have insight and imaginative ideas that many adults have never thought of. You've taught me things that I consider valuable information: the fragility of a human heart, how insecurity can affect one's view of everything around him, and even my own feelings. You showed me that I can love one human above the others. Whether or not that's a positive thing, I'm still not sure, especially since you're in this dormant state, but I think I'll learn the answer someday. I am a patient man."

Izaya threw his legs onto the bed and crossed his arms. "I wonder what you'd make of this, Masaomi. I visit you multiple days a week for anytime between ten minutes and two hours. I tell you about my day, reminisce on our past, and speak fondly of the future I wish for us to have. I'd like to think that you can hear me. That way, when you wake up, you might finally realize that you were never and could never be a burden to me. I don't see how I could speak to a teenager that I consider annoying in an extended sleep for usually the majority of the days in a week. If you can hear me, hopefully you'll understand that I've truly loved you all this time."

Izaya stood and leaned over the bed. He kissed the blond's forehead and smiled before turning away. "I love you, Masaomi."

"I don't remember saying that you can address me so informally, Izaya-san."

The informant spun around to see Kida's eyes open, his arms up in a stretch and a playful smile across his face. "Masaomi," he breathed. He held the boy's hand between his and looked at him, ruby eyes gleaming. "I missed you so much."

The teen moved back slightly.

"What's wrong?" Izaya asked, concerned.

"I've just…never seen you show so much emotion. It's intense."

The corners of Izaya's mouth curled upwards. "Well, you'll have to get used to that. I've had a lot of time to assess my feelings while you were asleep, and I've realized that I have very strong ones towards you."

"Me too."

The older male sat on the edge of the bed next to the boy and combed through the golden hair.

"So, um, why am I…alive?" he asked, avoiding the man's eyes. He was able to recall the night he had—only nearly, apparently—committed suicide.

"I was able to get you to the hospital before you lost too much blood. It was still a lot, though, and your body couldn't fully function. So, you fell into a coma while your body healed itself. I'm so glad I found you before…" He swallowed, remembering the fearful experience. "I read the note, and we need to have a serious discussion about why this happened. But that'll happen at a later time. For now, we can just be thankful that you're still here."

Masaomi blushed at the emotion-packed statement. He cleared his throat before speaking. "How long have I been…in a coma?"

"About five months."

Kida raised his eyebrows. "I guess I've missed a lot, then?"

"Not much has changed. My visits here have been the buzz for awhile, but there's not much interesting gossip besides that going around—I'd know."

"What do people think…we are? What have you told them?"

"I've said that it's our business to anyone who's asked. The rumors are what you'd expect: we're dating, we're lovers, you owe me a debt, I put you in the coma and feel guilty, I put you in the coma and am making sure you stay in it, etcetera. But let's not think about that right now. All I want right now is to be with you." He leaned forward and kissed Masaomi.

Kida held the older male's hand and returned the kiss. He pulled away after hearing quiet giggles. "Izaya-san, there are nurses staring at us from the door."

"I don't really care." He firmly grasped the boy's chin to keep his head in place. "I've waited five months for this moment, and I won't let a few young nurses ruin it. If it's uncomfortable, I can make them leave."

"Well, what do they think you are to me?"

"Your legal guardian."

Masaomi brushed the man's hand away and placed a hand on Izaya's chest, distancing them. "Legal guardians aren't supposed to make out with whomever they're…watching over. Won't you get in trouble? I could be sent to child services or—"

"Masaomi, hush. I appointed myself as your guardian so I could make decisions for you about where you stay and the treatments you receive. I'm fairly certain none of the nurses or doctors think that we actually have a guardian-minor relationship."

"You mean… They know we're hooking up?"

Izaya sighed. "Don't call it 'hooking up.' It's more than that." The back of his hand grazed the blond's cheek. "They only know the rumors. I haven't affirmed or denied claims to anyone who has asked. But I do know that the most popular explanation for my care of you is that we're in a relationship. Nobody is going to stop us from kissing. However, someone may step in if I tie you to the bed, which I will do if you continue to try to ruin our cherished reunion."

Kida threw his arms around the man's neck and pecked his lips. "Better?"

"It's a start." He cradled the back of the boy's head and wrapped an arm around his waist.

"Can you make them leave?"

Izaya turned and threw a deathly glare at the three women standing at the door. Seeing the piercing crimson eyes, they blushed and scurried away. Once they were gone, he shifted their positions so he was propped up on the pillows with Masaomi on top of him. "Satisfied?"

"Yes." He used Izaya's shoulders to hoist himself up the man's body in order to reach his lips. "I could hear you talking to me—well, bits and pieces. I heard everything today. Izaya-san, I… I love you too."

The raven smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. Also, I think we've reached the point where honorifics aren't necessary."

"Izaya," he breathed, his tongue tingling at the familiarity he was now allowed to use around the man.

After a few minutes of kissing, Masaomi pulled away to rest his head on Izaya's chest. He wrapped his arms around the informant and closed his eyes. "I'm sorry," he said faintly.

"I know," he replied, petting the sandy hair. "I don't ever want you to feel unwanted or expendable. I'm not sure if you've realized it, but I'm just as dependent on you as you are on me. I'm happy when I'm with you. I love you, Masaomi, more than anything else. I came here and talked to you about us, hoping that you could hear me, so you could know how loved you are. Don't try to leave me again, Masaomi. I can't lose you again—I won't lose you again."

Kida squeezed his eyes shut tighter, refusing to cry. "I'm so sorry," he croaked. "I had no idea… I didn't know how much you care." He clutched onto the man's shirt as a flood of emotions overwhelmed him. He felt guilty for leaving Izaya alone; overjoyed to hear everything he had always wanted to hear; sad to have missed five months he could've spent with Izaya; confused about where they stood—the status of their relationship and where to go from here; fearful in knowing that he'd soon have to confront what he'd done; content to be in the arms of the man he loved—who loved him in return. He must've been mumbling some of his thoughts, because Izaya was hastily trying to calm him.

"Hey, it's all right. Don't worry about all of that. We'll deal with each issue at a pace that you're comfortable with. Right now, I'm going to get the doctor. He'll take your vitals, and then I'll fill out the paperwork to have you released." He swiftly left the bed, laid the boy on it, and left the room. "I'll be right back."

Once Izaya was gone, Masaomi made his way to his private bathroom—not without noticing his luxurious hospital room. Izaya must've gone out of his way and spent a lot of money to get the fancy room. He brushed away the pang of guilt as he entered the bathroom. It was generally what he expected of a hospital bathroom, only larger and cleaner. He looked in the mirror and examined himself. His hair was slightly disheveled—from Izaya's petting, but was otherwise in good condition—freshly dyed, he noted; his teeth were whiter than he remembered and his breath was minty; he smelled like soap; he had deodorant and antiperspirant on; his clothes were clean; his fingernails and toenails were trimmed neatly; a clean shave was evident by the smooth, unblemished skin of his face. Izaya had either spent far too much money on having him pampered, had connections in the hospital, or was feared enough to get Masaomi the best care. He figured that it was a combination of the three.

After returning to his bed, he examined his wrists. They were completely healed; which wasn't strange—it had been five months. The only indication that something had happened was a faint light brown scar on each wrist. He clasped his hands together as Izaya entered with a middle aged doctor slightly taller than the informant.

"Hello, Kida-kun, I'm Dr. Shi, your primary. How are you feeling?"

"Um, good. I'm a little hungry, I guess, but I feel fine."

"Good, but I was referring to your emotional condition. What thoughts are you having?"

"Well… I feel a bit overwhelmed with my feelings about how I got here, and that I'll have to deal with them soon." He left out his feelings having to do with Izaya. "Besides that, I'm well."

"Since you ended up here from a suicide attempt, I'd like to keep you here for observation for a few days. You'll talk to a therapist and psychologist, and have a…family meeting with your guardian." Masaomi sensed slight disapproval in his tone.

Izaya spoke up. "I understand your concern, but I'm taking him home immediately. He'll be under close watch for the next few weeks. We'll seek professional help if necessary."

The doctor sighed. "I agreed not to have him stay in the psychiatric ward, but I must insist that he stay here. It'll only be a few days. We can wheel in another bed if you'd like to stay with him the whole time."

"Yes, yes. I hear you, Shi-san, but I will be taking him home immediately. I'd like to get him back into his normal routine right away, so we can discuss what happened in a more comfortable environment. Frankly, he doesn't get along well with psychiatrists and psychologists. I'm the only one he confides in, and I won't push him to be open with a stranger." He sat down on the hospital bed and held his young lover's hand.

"Well—"

"I'm sure you wouldn't want to make him uncomfortable, right, Shi-san? He'd much rather be home with me. You aren't going to prevent him from going to where he belongs, now, are you? He needs my comfort, and I hope we can come to an agreement about this. I'm not in the mood for negotiating, and I'd like to leave quickly. I'm also sure a smart man such as yourself understands that his guardian knows what is best for his emotional needs better than doctors."

The man cleared his throat. "All right, then. You can ask the front desk for exit forms when you're ready to depart." He left the room without another word.

Masaomi touched Izaya's face to get his attention. "You're terrifying," he said with a smile.

"Nothing will come between us, and I'll do whatever's necessary to make sure of that. I have a reputation in this city, and I have been and will use that to my advantage."

"What exactly is 'us'? Are we still lovers, are we in a relationship…?"

"Do you love me?"

"Well, yes."

"I'd like to be in a relationship with you. I mean, we'd be a fucked up couple, but at least we'd be together in the way we want. We can move at whatever pace—"

"Okay. So pretty much all that's changed is that my possessive lover is now my overly-protective boyfriend?"

Izaya smiled. "That sounds about right." A devilish smirk grew on his face, and he trailed his fingers up Masaomi's thigh. "You know, I haven't asked for the discharge forms yet…"

Masaomi brushed away the man's hand and blushed lightly. "We can do that later."

The informant sighed exaggeratedly. "Fine, fine. I'll go fill out the exit forms."

Izaya returned a few minutes later. "Ready to go?" When Masaomi nodded, Izaya grabbed his hand and led him towards the exit. He looked down to see a light pink color tinting the boy's cheeks. "What's wrong?"

Kida looked at the ground, avoiding Izaya's, and everyone else's, gaze. "People are looking at us," he mumbled quietly.

"So? Those people are unimportant, and irrelevant to our relationship. They don't decide how we act around each other." Izaya stopped walking to cup Masaomi's face in both of his hands. "We love each other, and love isn't something to be ashamed of or embarrassed by. Now, let's go to my place. We have many things to discuss."

Masaomi blushed. "Okay," he replied timidly. Smiling softly, his cheeks still a bit pink, Masaomi slid his hand into Izaya's, linking their fingers together. He was optimistic that his life would change for the better.