A/N: I do not own Baccano! But I do own my personal ideas on how all of these couples probably met. Woohoo. Oh; also, Isaac-focused bits in bold, Miria-focused bits in normal text, shared bits in italics. K? K.

Isaac and Miria

Isaac Dian's brain was a dangerous place to be. Words, facts, ideas, names, all jumbled around, raced in circles, mixed up. A whirlwind of knowledgeable confusion. And it was a tragedy, because Isaac loved to talk, loved to feel as though he could be an authority on something. And he was so well-read and curious and loved to learn. But the moment he went to relay the information to someone, it would switch places, lose itself on the way from his brain to his mouth. Scramble itself with some other idea, and he was always wrong wrong wrong. And Isaac spent his whole life being wrong. He was so used to it; it came naturally to him, he supposed. But still he would open his mouth; though he knew, always, that he would regret it. But Isaac just had so much energy, so many ideas, so much knowledge. And even if he tried to stop, to control himself, it would all just burst out! And he was a man in torment. Until.

Miria Harvent was simple. She could never focus. Never. She was always bouncing from one thing to another – nothing could ever hold her interest for long. And it was a shame, just a shame, because she was sweet and attractive and witty and kind, but she could never settle down. No one would marry someone like her. She knew because that's what everyone said. And since Miria could never hold still long enough to learn much of anything, she just had to trust them. And so very many, many people couldn't all be wrong, right? But though she tried her hardest to hold still, to not fidget, to not 'waste time mimicking her teachers and peers', Miria couldn't help it. Whenever anyone did something cool, she wanted to do it too. She wanted to be recognized as useful, as amazing. She wanted to be accepted by someone, anyone. So she couldn't help it when the mindless chatter, the mimicry, the flightiness just burst out of her! And Miria was a woman in torment. Until.

It was a costume store. If there was anything Miria loved, it was costumes. She wasn't watching where she was going – as usual. Distracted by each new color, new pattern, new option.

Isaac was browsing. He loved eccentricities, costumes especially. They were just so fun! He felt as if he were a child again. At 23, he was anything but. Still – anything to get people to take notice – to see him.

Thud.

Without looking up, Isaac barked out a 'Hey, watch it!' only to be surprised when his sentence was repeated back at him.

Miria covered her mouth. Oh no! She'd done it again; repeated someone, like that! Oh no, oh no!

Isaac glanced down from the ceiling to see a blonde girl on the ground. Girl, as she couldn't be more than 17. She didn't seem to be hurt, but was apparently too busy having a panic attack to remember to stand up. And… She was so pretty! Isaac bit his lip. Ok. He needed to make sure – be absolutely positive – he didn't mess things up, the way he usually did. Make sure he didn't start spouting nonsense.

The large hand extended to her finally registered in Miria's mind, past the embarrassed thoughts. She traced it with her eyes, up a strong arm to a confident, grinning face. Oh. Miria had almost forgotten she'd hit someone. Hesitantly, she placed her small hand in his large one. Ok. She had to make sure – be absolutely positive – she didn't mess things up, the way she usually did. Make sure she didn't get distracted.

And he pulled her up, marveling at how light she was, and he was so hypnotized, so unsure, so tongue-tied that he forgot to introduce himself. Forgot to ask her name.

Miria was startled. So startled that she forgot to let go of his hand. It felt so warm and nice in hers. But the most surprising thing was that he was so interesting. There was something in his brown eyes that sparked her imagination. That held her interest. Those eyes told her that he was someone truly special, someone who would be able to hold her attention for however long was even possible. Or impossible. He had an aura about him of the impossible. But who was he? Miria thought she would be the only adult alone in a costume shop. But maybe, maybe Miria wasn't alone.

"Do you like costumes?"

Isaac tried to stop himself. He really did. But… But no one ever asked him questions anymore. No one. No! He had to stay calm, to keep from saying- but he knew so much! He could tell her all the wild stories he'd read of disguises and mystery and monsters and Sherlock Holmes!

"I love them! Why, costumes are some of the most amazing things ever created! Why, one time, Sherlock Holmes was able to defeat Godzilla just using a simple disguise!"

… Oh, no. He'd done it again. He couldn't pinpoint where, but something was terribly wrong with what he'd told her, and she would know, and oh no, oh no…-

"R-really? T-that's incredible!"

No one had ever told her things before. So many people had just given up. But Miria could read, though she hadn't the patience for it. And she'd heard of Sherlock Holmes, and that was exciting! He was talking about something she knew! Oh. But… Who was this Godzilla? Miria's shoulders slumped. She had no idea… What if she asked, and he thought she was stupid…?

It was impossible! It was amazing! She'd just taken his word, no criticism, nothing else, and Isaac must have gotten something right, then, surely! And she seemed so excited to learn from him, and maybe – just maybe, Isaac wasn't alone. Oh. But now she seemed sad. Had he said something? Isaac tried to recall.

But this man seemed special… He did. So maybe, maybe he wouldn't mind?

"Um… Who is Godzilla?"

Isaac smiled. That was all? That's what bothered her? Well, he could help! Because Isaac was so well-read, and he knew so much stuff! And she seemed interested, and it was wonderful, and she was perfect, absolutely perfect!

"Godzilla is this ancient monster from Japan, and he eats giant sushi rolls and really just wants to be a movie director, but alas! He can't because none of their buildings are big enough, and he just crushes everything in his path!" Isaac explained, gesturing wildly.

"Oh, no! That's so tragic! They all think he's just a mean monster, when he only wants to make movies!" Miria gasped.

"Yes, it's a tragedy…"

"A tragedy."

And she didn't feel uncomfortable mimicking him. Because he was so cool, and he'd answered her question, and he was so incredible, and surely he knew everything in the world! Miria was utterly dazzled. He was so confident and smart, and she wanted to be just like him.

And he noticed something. When he did something, she would follow. She wasn't mocking him, no, he was sure she wasn't. She seemed too sincere for that. And so that meant… She thought he was cool, thought he was worth copying! And he was flattered, and for once in his life, Isaac was right right right, and he loved it. He loved this feeling, where all of her attention was focused on him, and he never wanted her to leave, if only she would stay, somehow he had to get her to stay…

"Tell me, is there something wrong?"

And she knew then he must be a mind reader or something, because he knew, oh he knew! Her problem! Only, he looked like he wanted to help her. Looked like he cared, really, and so, and so…

"Everyone thinks I'm stupid…"

Isaac gasped.

"Why, who would think that?"

Who would ever tell this lovely, charming girl she was stupid? It was a sin, a downtright sin! And Isaac felt so protective of her. This girl, this person who had listened to his stories, his words, who looked up to him, and how dare they?

And then Isaac had an idea. A wonderful, brilliant, AMAZING idea!

"We can prove them wrong!" he shouted at last, excitement expanding his voice, so that it boomed out of him. "Because, you know who isn't stupid?"

"Who?"

Her eyes were shining. He'd said they would prove them wrong. She was being accepted, accepted, because he thought she wasn't stupid, and he cared and yes, yes, yes!

Isaac leaned over to whisper conspiratorially.

"Thieves."

"Thieves…"

The idea had honestly never occurred to her!

"Yes, because thieves can steal things and not get caught, so of course they must be geniuses!"

"Oh… But I'm not a thief… I don't know how to steal stuff…"

And Isaac was lying through his teeth, but oh, it felt so good…

"Well, I just happen to be a master thief!"

"A master thief…"

"Yes! And if you stick with me, why, I can teach you all about it, and no one will ever call you stupid again!"

That sounded perfect, just perfect, wonderful, awesome, INCREDIBLE! Because they would be together, and Miria would prove all those people wrong, because someone as great as this man surely couldn't be wrong! He had to be right, even if it made all those other people wrong.

"That's incredible! Let's do it!"

"Yes, let's!"

And they set off, and the world was complete, and they were going to be the best thieves anyone had ever seen! They would be famous, and smart, and they would be right! Oh, but wait…

"Um… What's your name?"

Isaac deadpanned. Oh. Oops.

"Why, my name is Isaac! Isaac Dian! What's yours?"

"Miria Harvent!"

"Well, then, Miria, my dear, let's go and meet our destiny!"

"Meet our destiny!"

And then it was all perfect; and no one would ever say otherwise. Isaac's many plans, many ideas, kept Miria focused and grounded. Miria's honest exuberance and wide-eyed belief kept Isaac's spirits high. And there was no doubt in either of their minds that they would live happily ever after.