Title: Catching Sparks
Author:
MistressKiko
Rating:
M
Pairing: Shizuo x Izaya
Disclaimer: I own none of these characters!

THIS STORY CONTAINS MALExMALE RELATIONSHIPS. You have been warned.


Shizuo's POV

I hadn't even gotten his name.

I realized this just two days after the fact. Then again, he hadn't gotten mine either. Weird, random thoughts had been invading my mind since I left the club that night. They ranged from wondering what he did for a living all the way to the obscene question of what could have possibly happened if I stayed there.

That was pretty normal, right? I mean, if you enter an uncomfortable and new situation like that, it would stick in your mind for a while. Not to mention curiosity was supposed to build when you discovered something new about yourself.

… but...

I jolted when something hit me on the forehead. Focusing on what was in front of me, I saw Kadota leaning over the table holding a stack of papers he had surely just hit me with.

"I'm not doing this report alone, you know," Kadota spoke, raising an eyebrow. I cursed under my breath and quickly repositioned my pencil where I had left off writing.

"Sorry," I muttered. Kadota sighed and leaned back to his side of the table.

"You've been out of it lately. Something up?" Kadota inquired. I willed my cheeks from turning a bright red.

The thought of admitting this to him still horrified me.

It horrified me even more that my mind had been filled with nothing but those damn ruby eyes instead of the man sitting across from me! Kadota was the start of all of this. He was my best friend, someone I knew well and could consider dating. I didn't know anything about the guy from the club, not even his name! It was ridiculous!

"Well..."

I started, but then stopped. I really didn't know how to put this. How could this be addressed in a round-about way?

"... have you dated anyone?"

"Ha?"

"I've never seen you with anyone..."

I hoped that didn't sound too weird. Kadota merely raised a brow.

"Uh, yeah, I've dated a few girls. I decided to focus on college for awhile," Kadota responded. Girls, of course. "Is that why you've been all weird?" I tensed, momentarily petrified. "Wait, are you about to turn me into a love counselor?"

He eyed me suspiciously. I was just happy that he seemed clueless about the feelings I had for him.

Should one be happy when the object of their affections doesn't return the sentiment?

… the feelings I had for him?

It was him, damn it! Everything was for him! I would have never gone to that stupid club if it wasn't for him, and I definitely never would have met that guy..!

Why did everything come back to that guy?

"Uh... if you seriously want me to hear you out, I will."

".. what?"

".. you looked really angry there for a second."

"..."

Fuck.

"Just.. frustrated," I sighed, once again positioning my pencil on the page, "Forget I said anything. We need to finish this project."


I couldn't believe I was once again standing outside of this club.

In front of me was the same sight from four days ago. The backdrop was slightly different, because storms had invaded the area since yesterday and cast a ceiling of dark clouds over Tokyo, but those bright lights continued to shine. If I wasn't mistaken, the bouncer at the door was even the very same one who had let me in before.

That didn't assure me the crimson-eyed guy would be here again, though. Hell, for all I knew, he might never come back to this club!

Well, maybe it was just me being hopeful, but I somehow found that unlikely. If the little attitude he pulled when he thought I was speaking bad about this club said anything, he would be back.

What would he say? I mean... I just up and left on him that night.

There was only one way to find out.

Holding my breath, I gave over my ID and was allowed back into the dimly lit dance party. This time, I didn't loiter by the wall, but went straight to the same table. Some song with deep bass was stirring throngs of people to move and sway out on the dance floor. People were over at the bar chatting and drinking, and a few men sitting close together in the lounge.

No slim brunette with scarlet eyes, though.

I absentmindedly tapped at the red tablecloth. This was just going to be boring and a waste of time if I didn't get to see him-

"Hey there."

For a split second, my heart jumped, but in the next, I realized that was not his voice.

I turned to come face to face with that blond with the lip ring I had noticed last time. What a coincidence. But that wasn't important right now, because this little blond was definitely looking me over.

"Hi... I'm actually waiting for someone," I spoke with a nervous laugh. I was just a tad bit sorry when disappointment crossed his features. He took it well, though, and bid me a quick good-bye.

Then I realized I had practically just acted like I was taken and wanted to slam my face on the table.

Instead, I waited, antsy the entire time. I didn't want anymore awkward pick-up attempts.

Then the music died and people started heading over to the lounge side. I realized a show was about to start, and blushed upon remembering the last show I'd seen. More specifically what happened during that show. But hell, there was no way I would find him if everyone was crowding over in one spot.

An introductory began over the intercom. I looked over at the front door with a frown.

Should I go?

Would I come back again?

"..-r Izaya!"

When the crowd went wild, I turned back toward the stage.

And lost the ability to breathe.

Holy fuck- it was him! On stage! In.. in.. well, hardly anything. Just blue jean shorts and some kind of oil that made his body gleam in the lights. His pale skin was gorgeous.

I snapped my jaw shut and glanced around me like a child stealing a cookie before drinking in his form again. He moved forward, purposefully swaying those hips I'm sure, and slid one hand around the pole before a sensuous beat flowed out of the speakers. His body moved in tune with the beat, lean muscles rippling and crimson eyes in a half-mast leer. It was when he wrapped a slim leg around the pole and twirled around it, almost dropping to the ground before using both hands to ever-so-slowly arched his body back upward and pin his chest to the pole seductively, that I really, really wished I was that pole.

I briefly wondered how the hell I went so long without noticing men. Then all I could focus on were those damn hypnotizing hips and those long fingers pulling down the zipper of his shorts. My eyes shamelessly stayed there for a while, even when those hands left, before straying back up to his face.

My muscles jumped when I met his eyes. Never missing a beat, he stared straight back at me for a suffocating few seconds, and then focused on the crowd closer to him, throwing money up at him.

It was almost discomforting.

I wondered what he thought when he saw me.

He never looked my way again, just continued his teasing movements and lewd expressions until the music faded. He smirked at the end, giving a wave to the crowd with those blue jean shorts loose and threatening to fall off his slim hips any moment. I was a little disappointed they didn't.

Just when I thought he would walk offstage, the loud speaker boomed again.

"Our lucky number tonight is.. twenty-six!" The speakers announced. Some man in the crowd shouted and held up a piece of paper straight over his head.

What did that mean?

The ruby-eyed man walked offstage and toward Number 26. Some of the crowd dispersed, going back to the bar and dance floor, but many people still stuck around the lounge area.

My eyes widened when Ruby-Eyes sat on Number 26's lap and started.. well.. dancing, but that was very intimate dancing!

A lap dance.

Damn that guy was lucky. Where were these numbers? I would have-

Er..

I blushed at the thought of Ruby-Eyes in my lap, rolling not unlike the waves on a beach as he was so flawlessly doing over there. I should really stop getting jealous of other guys and poles. I don't think it's healthy.

Finally, Ruby-Eyes detached himself, but to my disappointment, disappeared somewhere backstage. I sighed, and once again glanced at the front door.

What was I doing?

It was a question I was asking myself way too often lately.

Heck, what was he doing? Did he work here? I guess he had to if he was up on stage like that. It made more sense now, that he'd be more protective about this place.

I caught the eye of another guy glancing my way and quickly looked away. My resolve started to crack and the gravitational pull to the front door grew stronger with each passing second.

So he was hot. There were tons of people in the world who were attractive.

"Please. No one falls in love with your personality at first sight."

Remembering his words, I scowl. Because they were true, and made me realize that I really did want to get to know that personality. I didn't exactly know why. He seemed very blunt, social, and open, the opposite of myself.

I guessed that cliché 'opposites attract' was really true.

My view of the cotton red tablecloth was suddenly obstructed by a glass with a dark cream-colored liquid inside, accompanied by a hand wrapped around the middle of it.

"The drink I owed you," said a voice I immediately recognized. I stared in surprise as Ruby-Eyes let go of the glass and took a seat next to me, sipping on his own drink. He was still in those blue jean shorts, but they were now buttoned securely and a tight black t-shirt hid his upper half. He looked at me and smirked around his straw, "So did I scare you off last time or do you normally sneak out on people like that?"

I fought a blush and fidgeted uncomfortably.

"Yeah, sorry about that," I replied.

"'Yeah' as in yeah I scared you?"

"Wha- no! Er..." I fumbled. It was true that I was a little freaked out before, but I didn't want to give him the wrong idea. I mean, I was happy he was over here-

"Enjoy the show?" He pressed on, wrapping his lips around his straw and sucking.

I tore my gaze away and took a deep breath.

"I didn't know you worked here," I answered, effectively avoiding any embarrassing conversation. I glanced curiously down at the drink he placed in front of me, wondering what it was, "What is this?"

"It's a White Russian. Ever had one?" He asked, to which I shook my head, "Give it a shot."

I lifted the glass and tilted it at my lips. It was a sweet, coffee-like flavor, and burned gently down my throat.

"'sgood," I commented.

"Hokuto over there makes some of the best mixes," he replied, gesturing toward the bar, "So, was I just so amazing that you had to come see me again?"

Kind of. Yeah.

But I wasn't going to admit that.

"I talked with that guy.. Kadota," I replied instead, running my fingers over the glass. It was already perspiring from the ice in the drink.

"Just talked? I don't get the juicy details?" He asked, leaning forward. I grinned.

"There are no 'juicy details'," I assured, the grin slowly fading into a frown when I remembered the little talk between Kadota and I, " I didn't even confess."

He stared at me, his nose eventually scrunching up rather cutely.

"... please don't tell me you're one of those flighty types," he said in a deadpanned voice. I raised a brow.

"Huh?"

He swung his hands up in the air dramatically.

"I'm gay! Oh wait, no I'm not! Maybe on Tuesdays," he spoke rather animatedly. I bristled.

"I know I'm gay!" I exclaimed.

Maybe a little too loudly.

"Say it loud and proud, honey!" One of the cross-dressers nearby yelled, getting laughs from his buddies.

My face burned.

My companion snorted and started laughing. I managed a halfhearted glare.

"So what did happen, then?" He chuckled, stirring his drink with his straw. I briefly struggled for the answer.

"Maybe the crush... wasn't much after all. I think I made a big deal out of it because he was the first guy I was attracted to."

"Hmm. So your first love came to a crashing halt and you decided to come to a gay club? Doesn't seem like your scene."

"A crush is not love," I replied quickly, "And you don't even know me. I could go to clubs weekly."

"I don't think a person who was used to this atmosphere would sit in the very back looking all doe-eyed," he retorted.

"I wasn't sure I was attracted to men, of course I'd be uncomfortable at this club."

"I can read people fairly well, I'd say. This is not your scene."

The way he said it, with so much confidence, made me give in.

"... you're right, it's not."

He smirked.

"See? So why come back?"

He wasn't going to drop this, was he?

"You said yourself that I should test the waters, right?"

"But you already know you're attracted to guys now."

"Doesn't mean I've had any experience with them besides-" I stopped, somewhat embarrassed. His smirk widened and I knew he knew I was talking about the kiss.

"There may be little differences, but don't go treating guys like they're aliens or something. In the end, it's just a matter of if you like being with them or not," he responded, shrugging and sipping at his drink again. There was a short silence between us afterward, though it was in no way awkward. I let the words sink in and moved on.

"What was that thing earlier? About a number?"

"Oh, the free lap dance thing? Haha, our stage performers rotate every Friday and customers can get numbers up by the bar if they want to."

"Free? You're saying you usually charge?"

"Mm, not charge, per say. We always love tips, though," he replied with a short laugh, "Thing is, lap dances aren't required around here. If someone asks, we make the ultimate decision. This number thing just guarantees one."

I took another sip of my drink, observing him silently.

"How long have you worked here?"

"It's going to be a year in around three weeks."

"And you like it?"

"Yeah, I do. I meet a lot of interesting people," he answered, leaning back in his chair, "You never answered, by the way. Did you enjoy the show?"

Damn him, always directing the conversation where he wanted it to be. I needed to change this around.

"The whole cop and bad boy act? Sure," I replied, grinning when his eyes narrowed playfully.

"Tonight's show."

"Oh, that. Eh," I shrugged, though the smile never left my face. He leaned forward again, setting his chin in his palm, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Hm. I find that hard to believe."

Egotistical, much?

But that flirty gaze of his was pulling me in. I had a giddy urge to continue this power struggle.

Leaning forward, I copied his pose.

"Too bad."

"It really is too bad," he sighed, pointedly looking away, "And here I thought after you turned down the hot little blond, but let me sit here, I had a chance."

I forgot to breathe for a second.

He saw that! Then.. he saw me here before the show?

He glanced back at me, and a grin grew. I tried to recollect myself, wondering what on earth I was going to say to that..! I cleared my throat.

"You came with a free drink. Who'd turn down the possibility of getting free stuff?" I responded, and was incredibly happy when he looked surprised.

He dragged his chin off his palm and lowered his head, a laugh falling from his lips.

"Touche," he replied, grabbing hold of his drink and sucking on his straw. There was a soft racket as he slurped up the remnants of his alcohol, "But I still know I'm sexy."

I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Did you just agree?"

"No."

"You did."

"How much are the drinks here anyway?"

"Don't change the subject."

"What, are we going to sit here talking about your sexiness all night?"

"You just admitted it again."

"If you want to hear that I came back here to talk to you, I did," I admitted in a sigh that was still meant to be playful, but I felt embarrassed saying it aloud.

"... I just wanted to hear you admit I'm hot, but hey, that works too," he replied with a chuckle, "And now that we've established that, want to dance?"

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. I looked from his face, to the dance floor, and back to his face, before shaking my head in refusal.

"I don't dance," I answered simply.

"Oh come on, I'll make sure none of these guys tries to grind up against you. Unless you want them too," he replied deviously.

"It's not even about that. I don't have an ounce of rhythm in my body," I replied, still shaking my head. There was no fucking way I was going to shame myself out there.

"Everybody has rhythm."

"Not me. If you want to dance, by all means, go."

"Gonna watch me?"

"Maybe."

Hell yes.

"Hmmm," he hummed, looking thoughtful. Then he rose from his seat, eyes locked on my own in the most exciting way, as he moved around the table. I had to swallow when he bent down in front of me, placing his hands on my shoulders, "If I can't dance with you, why don't I dance for you?"

I stared.

He didn't mea-

When he opened his legs and sank down onto my own legs, I realized he most definitely did mean what I was thinking!

"Uh..." My response was entirely incoherent, because he was way too close and I felt the heat of those exposed thighs seeping into my legs. His elbows rested gently on my shoulders, the fingers behind my head brushing patterns in the hair at the nape of my neck. I tensed every time one of those fingers ghosted over the sensitive skin under my scalp.

"Hm?" He pressed, tilting his head to the side. The sharp look in his eyes proved his act of innocence completely void.

"... I wouldn't mi-" I stopped my agreement, however. In the midst of admitting that, I had looked away from him, and noticed people a few tables away looking over and smirking like they were about to get a free show.

My face burned again, and I hastily grabbed hold of one of his arms.

"Not here," I replied. He straightened his head and looked confused.

"Excuse me?"

"People are staring," I emphasized, darting my eyes around.

"... you're that self-conscious?" He asked in a disbelieving tone. I stubbornly glared at him. He sighed and made to get off my lap.

Something about that sigh made my chest itch.

I quickly grabbed hold of his sleeve.

"It's not that I don't want to," I said quickly. He looked down at my hand holding his sleeve before turning away. I momentarily felt my chest constrict. Damn it, I just didn't want all those eyes on me; I didn't intend to make him lose interest!

"Come with me," he said suddenly, turning around to face me with a mysterious little smile adorning his lips. In a quick movement, he yanked his sleeve from my hand and then grabbed that hand within his own.


Weee, part two :3 Hard at work on part 3!

To all of you who mentioned my unfinished stories: If you look at my profile, you'll notice I have now discontinued Blind and Blurry. Sorry, but I really don't see myself ever going back to them. However, I always love my reviews, so I will keep those stories up. Not Quite Dancing In The Rain is still active.

I fixed Izaya's name popping up, I'm so sorry Dx My fingers just want to type his name, man, if you see any more instances of this, please tell me asap!

I'M GOING TO NEW YORK FOR A WEEK :DDD In other words, after I get this story finished, I won't be writing for at least a week.