"I'm strong physically but when it comes to emotions I really suck…that's why I've been trying so hard to say how I really feel."
Izaya fixed some barley tea.
"Here, have a cup. Might as well drink something if you're going to go all lovey dovey on me."
Shizuo smiled but covered it as best he could. The last thing he wanted was for Izaya to not take him seriously.
"If you don't mind me saying, you're not too great at talking about your emotions either."
Izaya lifted an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"All this time and only now do you tell me that you love me."
"Are you sure I never told you before? Human memory can be highly faulty. Not to mention selective."
"I'd remember. Trust me on this."
Izaya studied him in silence for a long time.
"I guess you would. I remember our first date, you were so awkward."
"Can you blame me? Just asking you out was difficult. I mean, you're so popular."
"I'm glad you did. It surprised me greatly. To be honest, I thought that you were trolling at first."
Shizuo blinked.
"Trolling…?"
"It might be a case of judging others by my own standards. But I'll admit it, I am not at my best when it comes to verbalizing my actual thoughts and feelings. Part of it is a professional defect, it comes with the territory."
"And the other part?"
"The other part pertains to the fact that I'm afraid of coming across as weak."
"Weak? You?"
"You sound amazed. Thing is, I can't escape the feeling that if I am honest and show how much you mean to me that it'll go back to 'Izaya-KUN!'"
Shizuo scratched his head.
"I had no idea you felt that way."
"Also, you're so absurdly strong that if I show as much as a hint of weakness I'm toast."
"Really? That is so weird to hear…"
Izaya lifted an eyebrow.
"Why is it weird."
"Well, no matter how you look at it you're the strongest one. My kind of strength doesn't matter much, I know that. So I can throw stuff and beat up people, it's not like that'll get me very far in life."
"That's because you're not a professional wrestler, I bet you could make big money that way."
Shizuo chuckled.
"Nah. You know that wouldn't work…I'd go overboard and end up hitting the referee too. That's the whole problem, I kinda lose track of who I'm attacking."
"But you didn't actually attack me even when you were so angry."
"That's because I love you."
Izaya placed a finger over Shizuo's lips.
"Hold it right there. You are this close to 'the power of love redeems'. Next thing I know a soundtrack will kick in the background."
Shizuo kissed Izaya's finger.
"See? This is what I mean. You always know how to gain control of talk and talk is real important in life. Remember that silly reporter that wanted to know who was 'bukuro's strongest person?"
"Didn't you beat him up?"
"Yeah and in that case I meant it. Nasty bugger."
"Heh, so mean of you."
"Before he got all crazy he actually asked me who I thought was the strongest guy."
Izaya was visibly curious.
"Oh? And what did you say?"
"The truth. That you're the strongest guy in Ikebukuro."
"I must admit, I did not expect that."
"But it's true. In this city what really matters is how far ahead you can see and how well you can plot to make things go your way. No one can do that better than you."
Izaya sat in bed and crossed a leg, leaning forward very slightly as he did so.
"Heiwajima Shizuo, I believe that you're trying to sweet talk me into some sexy times with yours truly."
"That's not it-"
"And it's working."
Izaya had time to unzip his jacket before Shizuo kissed him deeply.
"Izaya…"
"You're more fragile then what I thought."
"And that's a bad thing?"
"Not at all. I quite like it."
Izaya drew patterns with his finger on Shizuo's chest.
"Really?"
"Really. Don't forget that I get off on control."
Shizuo smiled broadly with a hint of goofiness.
"I'd noticed."
Shizuo took his own sweet time unpeeling Izaya of clothes.
"People call it a 'god complex'."
"You're into kinky stuff like roleplay. Want me to call you 'god'?"
Shizuo clambered on top of Izaya.
"No need. Sex with me is already 'oh my god' worthy."
"Cocky, aren't you?"
"Always. And you wouldn't want me any other way."