So for the past month, I have been through hell and back. I didn't mean to go this long without an update. I actually had most of the story already written. But my laptop's hard drive failed and I failed to rescue anything from it. So years and years worth of work and stories are gone. It really discouraged me. Everything I wrote for this is gone along with the hundreds of half started stories I planned to post after this. Once I finally got my laptop up and running, my internet shorted out for about two weeks. I couldn't post anything even if I wanted to. And then of course I was out of the country for two weeks so once the internet got fixed, I had other things to attend to. So I'm just really sorry. I'm sorry for how long this chapter took to put up. I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. I finally convinced myself to rewrite everything so I've been kind of working on this and kind of trying to recreate everything I lost. I have a few things I'd like to publish after this if this story ends up doing well. I'll try to update as frequently as possible but trying to recapture what I write in a certain mood at 4am is difficult. I hope that there are people out there who actually read this story hah. So here you go. Again, sorry sorry sorry. :c
The greeting I receive at the door isn't a friendly one. I mean it was rare for Shinra to ever be thrilled about seeing me, but he looks as if he would rather be dead than have to deal with me.
He lingers in the doorway rather than letting me in like usual.
"Don't look so excited," I tease letting myself in.
"What do you want?" his hostility made me wonder if he was expecting this visit. My curiosity always gets the best of me. I look around the quiet apartment. It's looking messier than usual... come to think of it...
Shinra looks less put together than usual. Hair messy and dark circles around his eyes that I can easily see behind his glasses; I wonder what he's doing.
"Where's the courier?"
I could see Shinra visibly flinch.
"Sleeping."
Liar.
Celty definitely wasn't here. Don't lie to me, Shinra.
"You look like you haven't gotten much sleep yourself," I note walking through his living room. This sets him even more on edge as he rushes ahead of me.
"Have a seat," he motioned to the couch. He doesn't want me lurking.
He's hiding something.
"I need a favor," I say, taking a seat. Shinra remained standing looming between the door to the next room and me. His defenses are ridiculous right now...
"Is there ever any other reason for you to be here?"
I laugh, "Patch ups? Or maybe to see how my dear friend is doing?"
"What's the favor?" he sighs, rolling his eyes. Straight to the chase, how boring. I pull out the small packet of white powder.
Shinra's eyes widen, that's what I've been waiting for. Shinra has definitely seen this before. This is suddenly more interesting than I expected. Immediate theories begin forming in my head. I can't help but suspect him.
"What's the matter?"
He immediately snaps out of it.
He knows that I can read him, what's the use?
"You don't strike me as someone who would personally get involved with something like this..."
I didn't answer right away, I didn't want to hurt my chances of Shinra doing this for me by being snippy. Instead, I genuinely smile keeping my eyes away from the next room.
"I need you to tell me what this is and what it does."
Shinra takes the packet from me, reluctantly, and holds it up to the light. He seems lost in thought for a bit, probably debating the substances and whether or not to help me.
He will... he has no choice.
Finally, he drops it into the pocket of his jacket.
"What's your purpose?" he mumbles carefully watching me. I lean back smiling.
"My current point of interest seems to be involved with this stuff. I'm just a bit curious."
"Too curious for your own good..." Shinra begins pacing. What was wrong with him?
"The usual?" I ask.
"Two conditions," Shinra mutters. I look at him skeptically.
"They are?"
One... you don't involve Celty in this one. In any way, shape, or form. Whatever you're scheming, just leave her out of it."
I smirk. There is no doubt in my mind that he knows something about this stuff.
"Two?"
Shinra pauses, pursing his lips together, almost as if he doesn't want to ask. But when he stops pacing, he looks me dead in the eyes.
"Find the source."
Hah!
Fantastic, Shinra.
There goes my theory. So Shinra isn't the one supplying Shizuo with the drug. Although, it's clear he recognizes the stuff.
I nod, standing up to leave.
"Izaya..."
I stop and turn to him.
"Don't... uh,"
I shrug when he pauses.
"Don't be careless..."
I nod at my friend confidently.
"No worries!"
.
.
.
The thing is...
I kind of set myself on hold now. What was I supposed to do until Shinra called? How long would that even be? I'm rarely anxious but...
Maybe because it's him.
Maybe... it wouldn't hurt to pay him a visit and watch his withdrawal symptoms.
I flip open my phone and dial Shinra's number. I've barely made it down the block from his apartment, but I've made up my mind before I even hear the ringing.
"Did you forget something?" the voice comes suddenly on the line.
Not even a hello?
"Two things," I answer.
"One?"
"Do you have an estimated time that this will be done by?"
"I'd give it a day or so, possibly. Probably."
"Perfect."
"And two?" I pause for a moment wondering whether this was a good idea or not.
What could go wrong?
"Do you need more samples?"
.
.
.
Somehow I always end up back here. Back in this city, back on this street, in front of this apartment...
Waiting for the sunlight to reflect off of the third story window and shine directly in my eyes.
The second the light hits me, my point of interest walks by across the street, unaware of my perception. He can pick me out of a crowd almost anywhere.
But at his home, he's completely off guard.
Here, his defenses are at his lowest. I absentmindedly wonder how many people have realized this about him. Or whether I'm just incredibly stupid to follow the strongest man in Ikebukuro home.
He flicks his finished cigarette into a nearby alley and immediately pulls another one out of his pocket.
Addition at it's finest.
I fiddle with the empty coffee cup in my hands. How narcissistic of me to say. And then I question why I'm jittery. It's funny... all he has to do is turn his head and he'd see me leaning against this post. I truly am being quite stupid. The street is still damaged from our fight the other day.
Heh.
Yes, the other day. Where I somehow acted on impulse rather than reason. My eyes follow him until he walks through the doors of the complex and disappears.
What do I do now?
My hand slides over the smooth surface of my knife in my pocket. It could be fun to test him. See how long it takes for him to destroy his own home. Things have been different lately. His usual anger isn't triggered by me, or rather... it's not as destructive.
I laugh to myself. I guess I don't have to be on stand by. I could always have a bit of fun.
I tell myself this as I toss the empty coffee cup into a nearby trashcan and near the complex. As I walk through the doors, I repeat the words again. I take my time getting up the stairs. It isn't until I reach his door that I realize I'm holding my breath. My hand wraps around the handle before I have time to talk myself out of it. I take a second to listen to the noise, trying to gauge how close the blond was to me. How well thought through is this plan exactly?
It isn't.
At all.
There isn't much to it. Get in, get the sample, don't die, get out. No sweat.
I open the door, one hand in my pocket ready to put my knife to good use. I silently step inside. Shizuo was no where to be seen. I take a deep breath, but keep my guard up. If he's not in the kitchen, he's probably in his bedroom. I have a small window of opportunity. I open the small closet door, revealing the jacket I found the first packet in. My hand slips into the pocket, but there's nothing inside. I check all the pockets, only to discover them empty.
Shit.
He moved it? Or maybe he used the rest? Or maybe he realized his first batch was missing and now he hid it better? Technically, I didn't have to get anymore or put myself in such immediate danger, but Shinra was so damn interested in this stuff. Even if he wouldn't admit it, how could I refuse his precious curiosity?
Or at least that was my excuse. This was now a game. Who could stay ahead of the other. Ah, the struggles of being an informant.
I carefully approach the hallway and immediately feel a sense of relief. I hear the water running. He was in the shower.
Perfect.
This gives me access to his bedroom. I don't even look back before going in. His clothes are thrown carelessly on his bed. The room all together, though, was relatively neat. Surprising for someone like Shizuo. It almost makes me laugh. I check the pockets of his discarded clothes, but all I find is his cell phone.
What the hell did he do with it?
I check the drawers of his nightstand, but once again I find nothing interesting. Just some bills. There is nothing to be found anywhere. Not under his bed, between the mattresses, hidden in the window, it's like he knew I would look here.
Since when was the brute this perceptive?
How do you outsmart yourself?
Hah. Easy. Be obvious.
I leave the bedroom and excitedly head back to the kitchen. How stupid could he be? I open the counter and sift through all the pots.
Nothing...
Still nothing? Seriously? Maybe obvious wasn't the answer. Maybe... actually thinking perceptively was the answer?
Could Shizuo have predicted that I'd show up here and choose to look in obvious places? Is he even capable of preparing for something like that? I would have heard about it by now if he knew it was me. There's no way... he wasn't smart enough for that.
In the corner of the kitchen, there was a slightly hidden trash bin. By the looks of it, it was empty.
I wonder...
I carefully take the lid off and flip it.
Bingo.
There it is. My golden gem. The little packet taped to the inside of the lid.
"Oh Shizu-chan, you never fail to keep my interest," I laugh to myself pulling the packet off and hiding it in the inside of my coat. What a fun game all of this was, but it was silly of the blond to think he could win. He knows what I'm capable of.
At least Shinra would be satisfied. I decide it's probably a good idea to get this to him sooner than later. I sigh heavily heading for the door.
"Can I help you find something, Izaya-kun?"
Oh fuck...
The icy tone of his voice alone was enough to make my heart stop. Standing in front of the door, arms crossed, shirtless, hair still dripping wet, was Shizuo Heiwajima.
"Not in particular, maybe I just dropped by to say hi? How have you been since we last met, Shizu-chan?" I teased, hand already around my knife.
"Don't make me kill you, flea. Cause I'm so damn close," his voice lower than usual.
"Mmmhow can you say something like that with a straight face?" I can't help but remember how cute he looked when flustered. It truly is enjoyable to mess with him like this. I'm already caught, might as well make the most of it. He blushes immediately, and matched with his messy hair it's almost too much. It catches me off guard.
This isn't like me.
Then why?
"You're still thinking about the other day, aren't you?" I tease in attempt to hide my discomfort. I can't figure out why I can't get him to snap? In any other instance, he would have torn me apart by now. What the hell kind of drug is this.
"If I recall, I told you to leave the city," he responds calmly.
That you did.
"If I recall, you kissed me back," I smirk. His shoulders drop.
"So what's your reason for breaking into my home? Are you here for round two? Here to mess with me some more? Or do you just get off from pissing me off?" he inched closer.
Run.
"The door..." I shake my head, "It was unlocked..."
Fucking run idiot!
He stares at me for a moment, that golden aura that captivates me every time. He is fully aware of it when our lips meet again.
Only a bit more development. I might switch back to the present for a chapter soon because I miss torturing Izaya. I have a thing for background insight after initially knowing things are bad. Things are moving forward though! Please leave reviews. I'd love some encouragement after all the nonsense I've been through this month.