Izumi ran and twirled through the streets as Izaya chased after her. It was odd that he would chase her and not goad Shizuo but it helped on her morning run to get the adrenaline pumping. She laughed wildly as she skidded around every turn with her long hair that she'd yet to cut flowing madly behind her. Those emerald eyes of hers danced in the light of the rising sun and gleamed at every angle with pride, excitement, and giddy fear. It was the kind of feeling you got when you were young and playing tag or hide and seek, wondering if at any moment you'd get caught.
Just as Izumi was dashing up the steps and to her door she caught a glimpse of Izaya talking to two girls by the street in front of her apartment. She stopped, panting, and leaned on the railing, watching the amusing scene. Izaya's whole form, posture, and all held irritation. His eyes caught hers and he smirked. Izumi saw him address the two then point up to her, she stood, eager to see the girls' faces, but just as they turned Shizuo came up behind her scolding her lateness. Izumi huffed loudly and pulled Shizuo down by the shirt to clamp her hand over his mouth but looked back to late, the girl and Izaya gone.
Shizuo was less than pleased and hauled the small girl effortlessly over his shoulder and headed inside her apartment. Once inside he tossed her into her room, "Hurry up or we'll be late." Izumi rolled her eyes, scoffing, "When have you cared if we were late." but did as she was told. She was happy, this was probably one of the happiest time Izumi could ever hope for.
Izumi quietly creeped out of her room on tiptoe to find, and possibly scare, Shizuo. It was pretty quiet as she approached the living room/kitchen area. As she came closer her eyes spied a hunched over Shizuo, head in hand and utterly defeated. Izumi froze, studying his strong back and shoulders. Izumi reached forward, hands shaking, to touch Shizuo's back gently. This made him jump, a gleam in his eye that confused her, she pulled him to her wrapping her arms around his neck. Her hands cradled his head to her neck, it was weird and awkward but in a comfortable way. Things were quiet a while and Izumi was about to speak but Shizuo's phone rang, breaking the atmosphere like fragile glass.
Then they were out the door, walking side by side as if it never happened.
Izumi ran down ahead of Shizuo, skidding to a stop when two girls appeared in front of her. Shizuo caught up, sighing when he saw the two girls currently staring Izumi down. "So I take it he's in town?" The two smiled and nodded excitedly, the older girl's eyes never leaving Izumi. "Neh, Shizuo is this your girlfriend?"
Before Shizuo could protest Izumi's laughter exploded from her tiny body, "No, obviously she's not" "Awh, but Iza-nee said she was" The girls went back and forth and Izumi laughed again before forcing out, "And you believe the lying bastard?" The twins looked at each other "No." "But it seemed like fun to find out." Shizuo nudged Izumi "We're going to be late, you can talk to Kururi and Mairu Orihara later" Izumi's breathing hitched as Shizuo dragged her away.
A while later Izumi and Shizuo were across the street from a crowd of people, "Kazuka?" Shizuo mused. Izumi looked at him in confusion before the twins appeared once more "Shizuo-san is Yuuhei-sama here?"
Izumi watched as Shizuo blocked their view then carried them off soon after they realized the actor in the center of the crowd. She rushed after their noisy voices as Shizuo threw them into a building and blocked the door. "How come you can put up with them and not Izaya?" Shizuo paused and looked surprised "The same way I put up with you." Izumi smiled as the vending machine was kicked out of place. "I see the family resemblance now."
The older twin whispered to the younger, making her ears perk up. "Who are you anyway?" She looked at Izumi expectantly. "Uhm... Izumi... Orihara?" The pair gave her an odd look and Mairu shrugged, "Hey sis if you marry Shizuo will you introduce us to Yuuhei-sama?" Izumi coughed "Oh my God Mairu, hush, just ask Shizuo..." but when she looked to where the towering blonde was moments before he was already gone, walking to the tax building. "Hey Shizuo! Don't leave meeeee!" She ran hastily after him calling "goodbye" behind her to the sisters she didn't really know but loved all the same.
On the way home Izumi stopped by the grocery mart down the road from her apartment. She planned on making a cake, looking through the mixes she saw a familiar fur trimmed coat approach her. "Het Iza" Izumi mumbled putting a few things into her basket. "Good to know you're already bonding with them" he sounded irritated but then again Izumi always felt he was annoyed by something. "I guess..." She assumed the conversation was over but Izaya's hand on her arm made her turn to face him.
She expected a snarky comment and a jab to make her angry but when she faced him she saw none of that. His face was mostly blank, pursing her lips she looked at the time "Have you had anything to eat?" He looked at her oddly, possibly wondering if she was planning anything, but gave a brief shake of his head. "Well then come on, I've got some time and Shizuo won't be off work until late." She walked to the front of the store with Izaya still gripping her arm.
As Izaya sat at the table he studied his sister, she decided to cook a stew. He tracked her every movement, like a cat eyeing its prey. Izumi sat down across from him and rested her chin on her hands, giving him the same observing look. Izaya felt it a little off putting, to be observed and analyzed. He could feel his muscles coil in defense, "Izaya, why so tense? I promise I'm not poisoning you" He rolled his eyes at her and looked away "Don't pout Izaya" Izumi laughed "It's so unlike you."
Izaya stood abruptly, turning on his heels to the door. Izumi watched his hand grip the knob of the door but he seemed transfixed and decided to turn and sit back at the table. Her eye brow raised in suspicion but he just stared at her emotionlessly.
"Fine Izaya" Izumi sighed before fetching a bowl for both of them and portioning out a bit in each. "Here" They sat in silence as they ate, occasionally glancing at each other. Eventually the bowls were empty and Izaya was gone. It's not like she expected much, he was a person who expected the worst of anyone. He was cautious and meticulous but Izumi liked to think he appreciate the time they spent together.
She wasn't aware of his hesitation or his plans. The next day when she came across an alleyway of blood she wouldn't think of Izaya. When she received a text from Celty to urgently come over, she would think of Shizuo. Not Izaya. Twisted though he may be, she had already accepted her brother for the sociopath he was.