Title:- Thrice a fool
Pairing:- Izuo
Rating:- T
Warning:- language, violence, blood
Disclaimer:- I don't own Durarara
Summary:- Sequel to twice shy. The world has left him behind.
A/N:- This one is for Ziggy, who pestered me constantly. Next one will be for freakoutwolf, which means I am up to date on requests. Tada. Feel free to bombard me with more.
Nothing changed. Not for him anyway. Shizuo watched the sands pour from another torn bag. The grains spilled into a pile on the floor. He'd lost count how many punching bags he had destroyed. Too many to count in seven years.
That's how long he had been a donor. Even now he still had the same size and shape. Shizuo was stuck in time. It was a curse placed on him by the vampire he served. Three more years he would finally look another year older. Even then he would age slower.
Things around him changed though. The gym got new equipment. The donors were either killed, died or changed into vampires. He was the only remaining original. The others were gone but it didn't matter given how he was isolated in the first place.
With a sigh, the teen turned away from the bag and left the room. The sun was setting and he didn't want to be anywhere near where the vampire would look for him.
Izaya Orihara was the vampire king. Forever twenty one apparently, drinking his blood every night. Their relationship had started off as purely business. It was the parasite that had tainted what they had. Shizuo couldn't stand him.
"Oh? What's this? You're actually coming to me?" Izaya's cheery voice sounded behind him. Shizuo slowly turned. "I'm here now. You killed another punch bag?"
Shizuo said nothing. He wanted nothing more than to walk away but that would mean extending his time with the vampire. Instead he rolled up his sleeve and unravelled the bandage around his wrist. Striding up to the vampire he held out his wrist.
Izaya smirked at him, crouching to pick up a handful of sand. "Does this remind you of an hourglass? Time is such a fleeting thing, isn't it?"
"Really?" Shizuo growled. "I wouldn't know. You stopped mine. Cut the bullshit and drink."
"You're language is awful, Shizu-chan." Izaya grinned tipping out his palm. "I'm not hungry quite yet."
Shizuo shrugged turning away. "Drink from someone else then." Tugging his sleeve down he left the gym.
"Are you sure you want me to do that?" Izaya asked by his side.
"Piss off."
"You won't get jealous?"
Shizuo laughed bitterly. "Why would I? Go bother someone else."
"Sounds like you're going back on our deal."
Shizuo snapped hoisting the vampire up by his neck and slamming him against the wall. Izaya laughed at him. "Then kill me or compel me." He hissed letting go.
"So hot tempered these days. Puberty is a strenuous time, hm?"
"You'd know," The teen bit back "you stuck me with seven years of it!"
"It's your own fault." Izaya shrugged. "I think I'm hungry now."
Shizuo punched the wall above Izaya's head. His fist went through the traditional style wood. Blood oozed from the cuts on his hand, caught as they trickled down. Izaya's eyes glowed, his hand caught. "Your blood tastes so bitter sweet, Shizu-chan."
"So?"
"It hasn't changed." Izaya murmured licking at his wounds. "I thought it would by now."
"Are you finished?"
"Shizu-chan, do you want me to let you go?"
The teen narrowed his eyes. "What scheme are you up to now?"
"So distrustful." Izaya cooed biting into his wrist. The vampire took more these days. Not enough to bring him to the brink of turning, but enough to give him a scare. "I'm serious." Izaya cradled his wrist, drinking his life force.
Shizuo stared at him doubtfully. "Really? You'd let me go?"
"Not for free of course."
Shizuo snatched his wrist back. Izaya smirked holding on. He found himself pulled into the parasite, one arm around his waist. "Let go."
"Shizu-chan, your blood hasn't changed, so I don't believe you'll change." Izaya shrugged. "I find myself getting bored with you. The condition for your release is for you to find a new donor for me."
Izaya vanished leaving him slumped on the floor. A new donor? He had to find a replacement to leave? "What kind of joke is that? shitty flea."
x-x-x
Like that he was allowed to roam freely. The door was open. Shizuo noticed the illusion on the house had gone. The front door was staring him in the face. Striding towards it, he closed his eyes expecting to slam into a wall. Izaya was messing with him. He hadn't been allowed out in seven years.
But the door opened. Shizuo shielded his eyes from the brilliant vivid colours. The sky was a refreshing blue with the sun beaming down. Taking a step forward, the door slammed behind him. With a grin the teen ran down the path and out through the obnoxious gate.
His nose was assaulted with real smells. He sneezed a little from the pollen but didn't care. He was free. Thanks to the signs he worked out he was in Shinjuku. Not Ikebukuro yet close. Shizuo had no money or clue what he was going to do. He set out to return to his home town, breaking into a run.
x-x-x
There were a lot more people than he remembered. Shizuo found himself feeling a little claustrophobic as he weaved his way through the crowd. His home was in view. Shizuo cut across the distance and knocked on the door. His parents would be surprised to see him. Maybe they thought he had been killed. Then he'd have to explain how he hasn't aged since he'd seen them last. Not to mention the bite marks that littered his body.
"Yes?" Shizuo was taken aback. It wasn't anyone he knew.
"I'm looking for the Heiwajima family."
The woman tapped her chin. "They haven't lived here for years."
"Oh." Shizuo turned away. "Sorry to bother you."
His family were gone. He didn't know when they'd moved away or where. He'd been abandoned.
x-x-x
Shizuo wandered the town feeling out of place. There was so much he didn't recognise. It felt like everything had changed. It wasn't his world. The biggest shock was a movie poster. It was a different name but the man looked like what he imagined his brother would be. Kasuka was an actor.
From the poster he could see his brother looked happy, probably earning a ton of money and paying for their parents. It was a lot more than he could ever hope to achieve. His family were happy. It should have made him the same. Instead he felt an emptiness, scratching at the scars Izaya had given him.
It felt wrong. He had nothing to tell the time or remind him what he was supposed to be doing. Shizuo was free and untethered. He hated it. It scared him that he wanted to turn tail and run back to the house. It felt more like his home than anything else. Shizuo ignored the feeling pressing on. There has to be somewhere he belonged now.
x-x-x
There was no escape. Not really. Izaya probably knew that. That was why he had been let out. Shizuo had no way to prove who he was. No family, no ID and no qualifications. To everyone else he was a ghost.
He was a failure as a human. "Oops. Excuse me." Shizuo stepped bag reminding himself to watch where he's going. Humans weren't like vampires. They didn't have the sense to avoid collisions.
"Sorry." The teen murmured.
"Hey, you look familiar." The man grabbed his arm. Are you related to the Heiwajimas?"
Shizuo brightened a little. This man knew his family. "Yeah."
"I used to go school with Shizuo. Are you his younger brother?"
Tom. Shizuo remembered. The guy that advised him to dye his hair. "...yeah." He murmured.
"How is he doing now? I haven't heard much so I guess he managed to control his strength."
"Yeah." Shizuo shuffled awkwardly. His old sempai felt like a stranger. "I should go."
"Nice meeting you." The man nodded. "Give my regards to Shizuo."
Shizuo nodded walking away. He felt sick. Here in Ikebukuro, he was a nobody.
x-x-x
With no money, the teen had nowhere to stay. Going back to the vampire was out of the question. He ended up at the place he had been kidnapped, only to find it had been remodelled. The gates were locked, but he got in with ease. It was clear the school itself was alarmed, so Shizuo headed for the sports field. Maybe he could sleep underneath the bleachers.
The sun had already set, leaving his eyesight and instincts to guide the way. The sports field was spacious, the bleachers running the whole length. Shizuo made his way up to the top step. Along to the right he followed the bench down to the end. With a sigh he sat down head in his hands.
"Bad day?" Izaya asked. Shizuo froze looking up. The vampire was sitting right next to him. "You decided you want to find your replacement, after all?"
"What's the point?" Shizuo grumbled.
"Hm?"
"I don't have anything to return to. You took everything away."
"Seven years is nothing, Shizu-chan." Izaya shrugged leaning against him.
"It is to me." Shizuo pushed the vampire away. Izaya would find him wherever he went. "My family moved away. My brother is-"
"Happy? They've moved on with their lives. Surely you weren't going to have your little brother replace you? I have to say he's quite boring. No fun at all."
Shizuo winced. "You've met Kasuka?"
"What do you humans call it, peace of mind?"
"...you compelled them."
"I did. There's no point in them worrying since you have a new life now."
Shizuo growled standing up. "You had no right! They-"
"Are happier without you. Sad but true. Now they don't have to worry or pay for the damages you caused." Izaya said it so matter of factly.
Shizuo slumped on the bench, his knees giving way. "...did they hate me?"He asked quietly.
"No. Their love for you was unconditional. They were afraid-"
"I knew it." Shizuo groaned.
"-for you. You spent most of your childhood in and out of hospital."
"You're lying." Shizuo growled.
Izaya shrugged with a smile. "I don't lie, Shizu-chan. Play games, yes. You'll find being forever twenty one can get tiresome. You've lost seven years. That's a blink of an eye for me."
"How old are you?" Shizuo asked.
"I told you. Forever twenty one."
"Fine. Don't tell me." Shizuo stood again climbing down the benches. Izaya followed gracefully without a sound. "I suppose you came to take me back?"
"Of course. You weren't planning on sleeping here, were you?" Izaya hopped down next to him. "You can continue your search tomorrow if you wish."
Shizuo sighed. "But you don't want me to?"
"No. I don't. You are not a substitute, Shizu-chan."
"Hah. I bet you say that to all your donors." Shizuo stuffed his hands in his pockets walking on ahead.
"You're an awkward protozoan. I don't know what I have to do to prove my sincerity. I like you, Shizu-chan."
"I already told you-"
"There's nothing wrong with me loving you." Izaya shrugged. "You can't control my feelings any more than I can yours."
"I wasn't-"
"You do. You infuriate me, Shizu-chan. You don't behave the way you should. You made me fall for you and now you don't dare explore your own feelings."
Shizuo shook his head. "I never asked for you to. I can't love anyone. I keep telling you this." His fists clenched in anger, palms sweaty in his pockets.
"That's not true. You love your family. They were the first ones you sought. You were hurt your old friend didn't recognise you."
"No. I-"
"You can feel. You just don't want to. You're scared of being rejected. But in truth you want someone to love you."
"No-"
"You want someone to hold you and never let go."
"No-"
"You want to have that special someone." Izaya pushed standing in front of him.
"No. Shut up!" Shizuo snapped. His fist clocked Izaya's jaw, sending the vampire to the grass. "D-don't say anything else."
On the ground the raven laughed nursing his jaw. "You don't want to open your heart, you don't want to stay home and you don't want to find a replacement. I guess that only leaves one option."
Shizuo shrank back as the vampire got to his feet. "You're going to compel me?"
"I already told you I wouldn't. I won't turn you either and letting you die is out of the question."
"Then what- what is that?" Shizuo stared at the instrument in Izaya's hand. Whatever it was, was wrapped in a thick cloth.
"The only option left is for you to kill me." Izaya flipped the cloth back. Shizuo stared at the pointed length of wood. "If you want to get away so badly it shouldn't be a problem, ne?"
"You're crazy." The teen gasped. "That won't really kill you."
"One hit, straight through the heart." Izaya dropped the stake into his hand. "That's my trust, Shizu-chan. If you want me to go away, that is the only way."
Izaya stepped into him, cupping his chin.
"You're freezing." Shizuo whacked Izaya's hand away.
"Yeah. I haven't showered yet or drank blood."
Shizuo reached for his collar, his hand pausing. It didn't feel right. Allowing Izaya to drink from him after such a conversation...
"You didn't take from one of the others?" Shizuo asked returning his hand to his pocket. Izaya noticed giving him a sad smile.
"No."
"Go and drink, idiot." Clenching his fists he strode on ahead.
"Yeah. Okay. I'll drink on the way back."
x-x-x
Shizuo cursed himself for not sucking it up and just letting the vampire drink from him. It would have saved a lot of time. They were outside an office building, watching as the last light went out and moments later the door opened.
Dressed immaculately was a young woman who had just finished overtime. Or so Izaya had said. She clutched her keys looking around her before heading for the parking lot. Shizuo stayed back leaning against the wall.
"Working late?" Izaya asked leaning on the woman's car bonnet.
The woman's reaction was immediate. She was on guard, projecting so much fear, that even he could smell it. Then it was gone. Izaya smiled, caressing her cheek.
Shizuo tilted his head wondering if she had been compelled already. It certainly looked that way. The woman draped herself across Izaya. She seemed to be clinging to him, her hands everywhere. Shizuo watched as she nuzzled her mouth against the vampire's throat. She moved to kiss him.
Shizuo felt his stomach twist. He hadn't eaten a thing all day. His own fault for not being better prepared.
Izaya lowered his fangs to her throat. Shizuo heard a crunch behind him. With a sigh he dropped the single brick he'd gouged from the wall. He watched Izaya drink his fill, the woman rutting against him. Turning away he strode off, giving Izaya the privacy he needed. It looked like that was the reaction he was supposed to have. He shouldn't have missed his meals. He felt sick.
x-x-x
"What's wrong?" Izaya asked wiping his mouth.
Shizuo glanced at him. There was lipstick on the vampire's cheek. "Nothing. I haven't eaten yet. "
"Oh. Is that all?" Izaya gave him that look again. The vampire wanted to get inside his head.
"Yeah. I'll get back to work tomorrow." Shizuo promised.
"I see. There should be a restaurant around here..."
"I'd rather just go back." For some reason he didn't feel like eating. His appetite was gone.
"...if you're sure." Izaya sighed leading the way.
x-x-x
"Goodnight, Shizu-chan." Izaya stood outside his door. The vampire had insisted on making sure he received his meals.
"Night, flea." Shizuo closed the door, sitting at the kotatsu. In front of him was all three meals he should have eaten during the day.
Scratching at his throat, he tried to eat. It tasted flavourless to him. Trying not to gag, the teen swallowed it down. Maybe he was getting sick again. He didn't feel like completing his usual routine.
Leaving most of the spread on the table, Shizuo crawled into bed, curling into the warmth. He closed his eyes, catching flashes of the woman all over Izaya. His eyes snapped open, brows furrowing. The woman hadn't been all that attractive to him. He didn't get why he was thinking of her.
With a groan he turned over, closing his eyes. Again the woman was there. Her hands touching Izaya in a way that wasn't anywhere near decent. It was obscene. She had drowned in Izaya's compulsion.
"Stop thinking." Shizuo groaned, grabbing one of his pillows. He held it against his ears, as if it would block out everything.
x-x-x
Shizuo noticed he could see the real path through the house. If he wanted to, he could easily leave. It didn't matter. There's nothing outside the house for him.
The teen sighs. He's been doing a lot of that lately. He's left with yet more free time as both his laptop and his session in the massage parlour have been cancelled.
Shizuo works out in the gym, but his punches are half hearted. Despite that he still floors another bag. He almost thinks about visiting the doctor but thinks better of it. It's shock. That's all. Seeing his family had left him behind, pushed him into a slump. He'll get over it.
x-x-x
Shizuo reports to Izaya's bedroom, his stomach twisting. His heart thuds painfully in his rib cage, expecting annoying questions and observations to be thrown at him. He's not sure he can deal with much more of Izaya's poison.
The teen knocks twice on the door in quick succession. He takes a step back hearing the single word. "Enter." He should have stayed in the gym.
Opening the door, Shizuo steps inside. Izaya is standing there, fresh out of the shower with nothing but a towel around his waist. "Good morning, Shizu-chan."
"Put some damn clothes on!" Shizuo snaps turning away. He closes the door half wanting to run.
"Eh? It's never bothered you before."
"Shut up and get dressed." Shizuo growls crossing his arm. He can hear the blood rush in his ears.
"Okay, dry my hair first." Izaya grins.
Shizuo catches for brush tossed to him. "Why can't you-"
"Shizu-chan, you're my donor."
"Yeah. Not your slave." He keeps his distance, looking anywhere but the vampire's state of undress.
"Fine. I'm hungry."
Shizuo shakes his head. "You are not drinking from me like that."
"Alright. Hang on." Shizuo glances back seeing the vampire take his sweet ass time.
"Can't you use your speed?"
"Don't feel like it. It expends too much energy. I don't want to go cold yet."
"Cold?" The teen finds himself asking.
"Yeah." Izaya smirks standing in front of him in his pants. He can see the steam of the shower trailing the vampire's skin. "You forgot already?" Izaya grabs his wrist, guiding his hand to the vampire's bare chest.
Shizuo's stomach does flips. "Woah." He snaps his hand back sharply. "Forgot what?"
"I can absorb the heat from water for a short amount of time. It lasts longer when I consume blood. Right now I'm warm."
"And not wearing anything." Shizuo scowls. "I'll come back when you're dressed."
"It bothers you? Why?"
"Does there need to be a reason for everything?" Izaya doesn't answer playing with the bristles of the hair brush. "Give it here."
Shizuo sighs sitting on the edge of the bed. Izaya plops down in front of him. "Thanks, Shizu-chan. You're in more of a bad mood than usual."
"Tch. I didn't get much sleep."
"Why not?" Izaya cranes his head back. "Bad dreams?"
"Nah. Think I'm coming down with a cold." Shizuo grumbles pulling the brush through Izaya's soft hair.
"I'll let you know in a minute." The vampire says leaning back against the bed. Shizuo can feel Izaya's shoulders touching his legs. The vampire wasn't lying. He feels warm to touch.
"Done." Shizuo hands the brush back.
"Thanks, Shizu-chan." Thankfully the vampire gets dressed in his usual basic black. It's the only reason he isn't knocking him away, as he's joined on the bed.
Shizuo pulls down his collar, baring his throat to Izaya. His fingers are tingling, his body feels warm. His pulse feels like it's going through the roof and he wonders when he's started to fear being bitten.
"Shizu-chan?" The vampire looks at him questionably. He knows if he can hear the blood pounding in his skull, then Izaya can too.
"Hurry up and drink, flea." Shizuo growls. This is is job, he'll get over it. The fear was in his mind.
"Okay, protozoan. Hold still."
"I am holding still." Why wouldn't the vampire just take what he needed? His eyes slip shut of their own accord. He can feel Izaya's presence draped over him.
Soft lips touch his throat. Shizuo clenches his fists in his pants. "Relax," Izaya whispers "or it's going to hurt."
"Hurts anyway." The teen grumbles. "Get on with it."
"You're very jumpy today." The vampire notes.
"I don't like getting sick." Shizuo cracks one eye open, quickly closing it again when he sees how close Izaya is.
"Makes you feel vulnerable, ne?"
"Don't talk like you know everything." Shizuo snapped. "Pisses me off."
"Okay. I'll let you rest after I've had my fill." Izaya soothes with a chuckle. Shizuo tries to relax using the meditative state he'd been taught. It doesn't work so well around the flea.
He can feel the vampire's fangs graze his skin, anxious to bite down. Shizuo braces himself feeling the points slide in. They're soon gone, Izaya suckling his blood as it bleeds freely. It will be over soon. But it's not.
Izaya's stopped at the first zip. Shizuo opens his eyes glancing at the raven. His blood is being swirled around Izaya's tongue. "What? What's wrong? Am I getting sick?"
He's never seen the vampire like this. Izaya swallows and smiles. "No, you're not getting sick."
"Then hurry up." Shizuo grumbles. His face feels hot. Izaya cups his chin making him flinch. His eyes are wide as those soft lips press against his own. "No! I said-"
Izaya stops. The vampire stares at him critically. Shizuo panics feeling cooling fingers on his cheek. Izaya moves back to his throat where blood has stained his shirt. The vampire drinks slower than usual as if savouring every mouthful. He can't imagine his blood tasting that good. Izaya though, looks like he's in heaven.
Shizuo finds himself watching his benefactor's expressions. Izaya's smiling like a kid in a candy store, lapping at his blood. Strangely he doesn't find it gross. Izaya notices him watching. Crimson orbs flick up to meet his own. Shizuo stares back, feeling lost in a trance. Maybe he's lost his resistance to compulsion. He can't seem to look away.
Izaya leans closer nipping at his ear. The teen jerks shaking himself out of Izaya's spell. He's on his back staring up at the vampire with his wild beating heart. "Hurry up and notice, Shizu-chan." Izaya whispers.
Shizuo shivers sitting up bolt right, pushing the vampire away. "I-it's past my curfew." He's up and dashing for the door. Strong slim arms encircle him from behind, pulling him back. He can feel Izaya's heat through his back.
"Shizu-chan, there's only so far you can run from me." Izaya's tone leaves him cold. It's soft and full of adoration.
"G-goodnight." Shizuo breaks away hurling himself through the door. He returns to his room as fast as he can and slams the door.
Sliding down, he slumps to the floor. Hand over his heart he can feel it trying to leap from his chest. His face feels like it's on fire, stemming from the new bite marks. Reaching up he catches a couple of droplets on his fingers. Shizuo stares at the red specks, touching them with his tongue. It's the same as usual. A metallic taste. He doesn't get why Izaya is so hyped up. Shizuo thinks back to the smile Izaya gave him. His head drops against his knees. The vampire was wrong. He was coming down with a fever.
End