Chapter 2: Reciprocate

The first week after our last meeting was absolutely agonizing. For me and my right hand.

Don't get me wrong. It's not like I had problems with it. Just the thought of pleasing myself reminded me of red. Red, tearful eyes, red blood...

Ugh, that week I shuddered so much you could have mistaken me for a 6 foot tall chihuahua.

But back to the story.

Me and Tom were doing our usual hunt for perverts. Although I had no room to talk. I was no better than these men paying for women's time. Speaking of women's time, maybe that talk with Celty is overdue? Maybe she could help?

Oh, who am I kidding.

I couldn't tell her about that crazy night...

My thoughts were cut off when Tom warned me to play it cool. Confused, I asked him if we were going to need my services. Tch. I still think that term is a bit of an understatement.

He sighed and shaked his head, "Oh, nevermind." I didn't realize until about ten minutes after, that he meant it for Izaya.

Ten seconds after he said it, though, I saw him, with that damn grin plastered on his face!

It was obvious my legs stiffened, obvious the adrenaline was at full speed in my veins, and the scowl on my face was not meant for anyone else but this man. He smiled his satanic, stupid smile that I still loathe til this day, ready to give haste in running. It was only natural for us to react this way. Nothing but us in our little monstrosity of a world. Tom was protesting, but I could barely comprehend him. My mind was already set for one target.

Though, I couldn't have anymore nightmares. Nightmares of him. Of his red eyes. Of his blood. Of me raping him. I think he knew my thoughts, because he only smiled wider, eyes shining with glee with that stupid, false sense of power over me.

With that last thought thinking it might be true, I ran away. I needed to find Celty, fast. I couldn't keep harboring these feelings without at least telling somebody. It was gnawing at me from the insides. After a good twenty minute run, I find myself at Shinra's house, also the residence of Celty's. Thinking about how she's probably out on a job, I should have texted her first. If I went up there now Shinra would be an ass and bother me about things. Phone calls about Izaya, why I was there for Celty, why I couldn't talk to him about my problems, blah blah blah.

Obviously, he wouldn't understand it. I was too emotional at this point to handle him without wanting to strangle him. Hell, I wasn't even talking to him and he was still annoying me. Ugh.

I texted Celty, asking if she was home. She replied with an instant no, which downed my mood even more, but said she'd finish a job in ten minutes and be there in fifteen.

Then Tom called. Oh. I ran out on the job, didn't I? Heh. I explained I needed a day off and he understood. He didn't even want a reason but I guess that what makes him such a good guy. A guy I can tolerate him. He doesn't bullshit me

Around the time I finished my conversation with my boss, Celty's horse neighs, making me take notice of her down the street. I quickly drop the call and stride closer to the street. Ah, shoot. I probably should've planned out my questions.

She starts off, holding up her phone [What's up?]

I don't hesitate to drop the bomb, "I did something bad, Celty. I've-" she stops me, waving her phone in my face.

[This has to with Izaya, doesn't it?]

I blinked, thoughtless for a moment as to why she knows this.

[I brought Shinra to Izaya's house. I was there when he helped Izaya.]

Oh. You must hate me now, Celty.

She's typing again. [I'm sure whatever happened you have a good reason for it.]

Nope. Not really. "Uh. I don't." She waits, not adding any more commentary. "We have been doing things." She stiffens at that. I thought she would've put it together but I guessed wrong. I shoved out the rest of the words currently bolded in huge letters in my head, "We have... casual sex..."

I told her the everything. I mean, literally, everything. From the first night to the vivid nightmares recurring since our last time. She listened, never questioning my motives as to why we did it, why I was dumb enough to go dry, or why it made me smile to hold a decent conversation afterwards, even if it was insane given the circumstances.

After I had finished, I stood breathless and somewhat relieved. I think our friendship had leveled up to a new status. Super Celzuo. The protectors of Ikebukuro. Sounds catchy, right? I let my mind wonder within these thoughts for quite some time, only being interrupted when Celty decides on her final input.

[Maybe you should apologize?]

I stutter, "A-ahpologize?" It may have sounded simple. But this is Izaya we are talking about. And note this is me. Not gonna happen.

But this is my best friend, I have to get it at least some thought. I pause for a moment, thinking how the situation should play out and how it shouldn't. After gazing at blue above me, I decide.

His cave dwelling is an apartment in Shinjuku. It's one of those fancy, expensive ones with huge glass windows. Kinda surprising actually, probably because he needs to hide his sorry ass from the world yet his windows are wide open for everyone to see. I don't know if I mentioned this, but he's a psycho jerk who jerks people around with his jerky ass-face and his jerky attitude of 'I can do whatever the fuck I want because I am a god.'

Well, let me tell you Izaya; gods don't bleed, do they?

Hmph. Maybe we are good together, two monsters in love, ready to destroy the rest of the world.

I lightly tapped the buzzer to Izaya's floor, somewhat ready to face him. I say somewhat because I wasn't ready.

It takes a good ten minutes for me to realize nothing is going to happen. Perhaps he also is traumatized, and for once he's actually afraid.

Laughing at that dumb thought, I move to the stairway, walking all steps to the third floor. I lightly tap at door with my knuckle, careful not to use my whole strength. With just the one, a skinny brunette answers the door.

Skittish, I walk in. I know this lady but just by name. She reminds me of Izaya with the scowl on her face and the attitude of a 'higher than thou.' There must be some sort of club for these people to congregate.

"Shizu-chan! It's been awhile, hasn't it?" Izaya doesn't hide the glint in his eyes. I try hard to focus my thoughts with a third party also wary of my presence. The informant noticed this and calmly dismissed her 'scurry house maid duties' for the day. Yep, still insane.

He waits until he knew Namie left and asks, "Ready for my services, Shizu-chan?" He gleams when he pulls out the lube. Clicking my teeth to end my gaping hole of a mouth, I fixate on that damn bold look on his face. Fucking challenge accepted !

"I just came to apologize, you flea!" Damn psycho says I screamed and it shuddered throughout the building, breaking his mirror. Liar, I barely raised my voice.

He looks at me stunned but quickly recovers. He won't admit it but I know it was the first time someone sincerely apologized to him.

"You're off to a good start, neanderthal," he replied bleakly, leaning against his spinny-chair, looking somber or some shit. His whole demeanor seemed off, when taken in. Maybe it did affect him in some form.

"Aren't you mad at me? Or do you just not care?" Most of the faces he made that day were never seen again, lost in that world where socks reside and toys and hearts broken.

He takes a moment to sip his tea. "I don't like to dwell in the most minuscule of situations," he tries to keep a clear tone, "and it's really unnecessary to apologize."

"But I am. I am sorry for what I did."

"...Apology accepted," he paused and mumbled, "for now."

Elated like a kid finally getting his ice cream, I wanted more. I had never seen a flea carry real human empathy.

"Well, how about I treat you to dinner tomorrow?" I may have spoke without thinking because I had work that day and Izaya is, well, Izaya.

He smirks, "Asking me out on a date, Shizzi-chan? Really, that is too much." His eyes darken, blatantly wondering if I was serious. "You couldn't Shizu-chan, I'm too much for you to handle," he jests. I stand my ground, I know I'm winning this battle. "Why?"

"As an apology...?"

He smirks, "You did just that already. Why are you really asking?"

I lost, I surely lost this battle. "Uhhh..."

He spins in his spinny-chair to face outside to Shinjuku.

"Seven o'clock, tomorrow night. Don't disappoint me, Shizuo." Like. A. Baus.