Chapter 11: Stay With Me

"God dammit Shinra! That hurt couldn't you have pulled it more gently! I was stabbed through the leg right through to the other side! I'm not some damn vegetable your kitchen knife got to stuck on!" Izaya croaked his throat still sore as he clenched his hands on the cushion of the pillow next to him. He was twisted slightly to his right a little awkwardly as Teito counted off his ribs to see which were broken and which weren't.

"Be glad that it missed a major artery. You have no idea how lucky you truly are, a centimeter to the right and you could bleed to death as soon as pulled the blade out." Shinra spoke evenly as he make quick work of 5 stiches on the top side of his leg, pausing the blood flow from one side. "Celty lift his leg up gently so I can place the last 2 stiches." He said as he injected more numbing serum ignoring the hissing sound from the informant.

"3 broken ribs on his left side Kishitani-sensei. On the locations of 4, 6, and 7. I'll get the medication ready." Teito spoke in a soft voice before crossing the room to the medical cabinet.

"Ok your done Izaya." Shinra smiled as bandaged him up as gently as possible and grabbed the needle from Teito an injected it into his arm. "That should keep you settled for the next 6 hours. Now you can't move any more than you are now. No bending, no stretching, you'll need help dressing, and showering. You'll start taking these pills tomorrow one pill only every 8 to 10 hour alright? These are very strong you will be sleeping most of the time but that doesn't matter since you will be on bed rest for 6 weeks." The underground doctor stated handing a bottle of pills to the raven and writing down on his clip board.

"You can't be serious! 6 weeks? I'm an informant I have to meet my clients Shinra I can't be in bed all the time!" Izaya hissed throwing his arms up and groaning loudly as the strain cause a sharp pain on his side and winced as he was hit on the head with the clip board.

"Did I, or did I not tell you to not stretch! If your strain your body more you risk the chance for liquid filling up your lungs and getting an infection Izaya!" Shinra snapped glaring at him before taking a deep breath and fixing his glasses. "You know, when I was told to prepare room for a heavily injured man from a worried Yakuza boss, I was not expecting you." He frowned looking Izaya over as Teito helped him to lay down.

"He's going to be alright though, right?" Shizuo asked as he walked into the room with a cup of tea and sat himself down next to Izaya who was looking up curiously.

Izaya still wasn't too sure how he got to Shinra's place so fast, the last thing he remembered was laying his head against the glass window of the SUV and wishing how he wanted to be home. He only closed his eyes for a moment and the next time he opened them he was looking at the cream familiar ceiling of Shinra's apartment, and connected to a heart machine and a breathing mask. It was safe to assume that he had passed out as soon as his head hit the window, but someone had to carry him along the way. His gaze shifted to the blonde to his left, did he really carry him all the way here? How embarrassing, was the only thing that passed through his mind. It was almost hilarious thinking that Shizuo turned out to be knight and shining armor, but it truly seemed too fitting. Of course he would be the one, who else could it be? Unpredictable as always. A small tilt of his lips was hidden as he took a sip of his tea, he should never underestimate the brute next to him.

"He should be fine as long as he takes it easy, I won't wrap up his ribs until the swelling goes down so I won't constrict him anymore than needed. But what he really needs is bed rest." Shinra responded fixing his glasses taking the gleam that reflected off the light away. "Now…mind telling me how this happened?" The doctor asked.

Izaya saw the blonde sigh and mess up his hair in mild frustration. "A fucking sick bastard did this." Shizuo growled as he glance at the informant next to him and then back to Shinra.

"I don't get all of it, the gist of it was that that fucker stalked the Flea for months and that's why Izaya left Ikebukoro. To take care of it. It didn't stop and he…took him. Right from under me. That sick fucker!" The blonde hissed as he stood up and began pacing in front of the couch.

"Higarashi was working under a previous client of mine. That client is dead and Higarashi took it upon himself to avenge him." Izaya said as he placed his mug of tea on the side table and laid back down on the couch. "His vengeance went deeper than simple comrade partnership and he blamed me for everything."

"They were lovers?" Shinra asked confused as he leaned against the wall.

"Yes, and I took his love away." Izaya chuckled dryly and frowned slightly when Shizuo still continued to pace agitated, grumbling to himself. "Ahh~ It's poetic really, a tragedy befell a pair of lovers and one dies. The one that died did not die by mistake but had his wrong doings catch up to him in the end and it came to his demise. The other ignored all signs of his lovers work and ignored what would come about it if it got out of hand and blindly loved him to the end, and when he was gone he couldn't handle it. It tore him to pieces on the inside and the only thing keeping him going was the thought of killing the one that took his everything away. It's like a Shakespearian play!" Izaya shouted out lazily giving a grin to Shinra.

"But it seems like another love story was brewing in the background of this tragedy." Shinra said grinning as he wrote a few more notes onto his clipboard.

"I don't understand what you mean." Izaya sneered hiding his embarrassment and quickly grabbed onto the brutes sleeve halting his movements. "Sit down, your constant pacing is making me nauseous." The raven said quietly and waited for the blond to sit down beside him.

Once the blonde sat down Izaya continued his tale, "Higarashi watched my every move for months according to his records I backed up. He then got entangled in bad a few bad transactions with Eiji-san. He felt dipped and decided to take it out on his close members. I'm sure Shiki has found the missing members by now." Izaya yawned and laid his head on the pillow on the head rest.

"So is it really over then?" Shinra asked narrowing his eyes at Izaya.

"For now, it really is. Higarashi is dead and his members taken care of by now. Shiki is very efficient." Izaya said giving him a sleepy smile and closed his eyes a moment after.

"I'll leave you to rest then. I need to speak with Celty anyways." Shinra huffed gracing Shizuo with a smile and left the room. By the time the door clicked shut Izaya was already in a medical induced haze that bought him to his dreams. His dreams consisted of cold metal chaffing his skin and ghost feelings of painful blows. Those dreams did not last long, and soon they were filled with blonde hair, and warm embraces and the ghost pain turned into a bearable dull ache.

It wasn't until several hours later did Izaya finally wake up, the dull ache in his ribs were still there and so was the tingly sensation coming from his thigh. He managed to sit up and gasped quietly when the ache in his ribs intensified, he held back a hiss when he felt a large hand wrap around his shoulders and guided him to a sitting position.

"What are you still doing here, Shizu-chan?" Izaya asked as soon as he was sitting up-right and his legs on the coffee table.

"Watching over you, Eiji-san says that everyone is ok now so not to worry." Shizou said softly and sat down next to him. The blonde looked more ruffled than usual, his hair that was normally unkempt looked even more messy than usual. He also had deep bags under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept in days, and the etchings of worry lines were slowly disappearing, he was much more relaxed. It was unusual to see, but it oddly left Izaya feeling warm.

"You don't have to be my body guard anymore Shizu-chan, you know that. You should probably leave…" Izaya muttered a bitter tone to his voice as he shifted his gaze to the window. There was no point in getting anymore attached to the blonde than he already had. There was no use, his feelings for the monster next to him wouldn't change and he knew deep down that they wouldn't be recuperated. Shizuo only came to his rescue because it was a part of his job, a direct order from his boss. No deeper feelings that transpired on his part would change anything between them. They were no longer enemies but they weren't friends or even… No they would never be lovers. Izaya knew this, it was impossible, he had never given any reason for the blonde to consider it. Yes they lived with each other, but was that even enough for the blonde to see him differently? Shizuo did mention that he was figuring him out. Maybe…something could―

"Maybe your right. I should probably go." Shizuo sighed as he stood up shaking the wrinkles from his slacks. The raven felt his heart drop into his stomach and his throat clog up with emotion. He knew it. He knew, nothing could come out of it. Then why did it hurt? Why did it feel even worse than being hit with a vending machine? Or the blow to his ribs? Unbearable heat was gathering in the back of his eyes, he couldn't take this. It was too much to take in, in too little time. He took a deep breath before speaking.

"Make sure you don't leave anything in the apartment behind then." He muttered not turning to look at him trying to calm his breathing, and focused on the pain in his ribs and thigh, anything to distract him from the burning heat in his eyes or the spreading dread in his stomach.

"The apartment?" Shizuo asked as he shifted his gaze to the injured man beside him, only to be met with the back of his head. "What are you talking about?"

"It shouldn't be too hard for your protozoan brain to get Shizu-chan, your job is done. Your time with me is no longer needed. You can stop pretending to tolerate me and move on with your life now. We can go back to be being what we were before…" The informant said quietly as he cradled his chin on his open palm, leaning against it as he watched a passing bird fly by the window.

"Why would I want that?" Shizuo growled as he clenched his fists. "I wasn't pretending anything, I chose to stay with you regardless of what Eiji said. I knew beforehand what was the meeting was 'bout that day. He called me in to warn me, I offered to be your body guard in the first place, Stupid flea!" he hissed, as Izaya snapped his head back towards him.

"Y-you what?" Izaya asked wide eyed his jaw dropping slightly.

"I offered to protect you!" the blonde hissed clenching his fists before he sagged backed into his seat.

"Why would you even do that in the first place?" The info broker asked as he held his ribs the pain sharpening slightly as he moved to be closer to him.

"I just wanted to, there wasn't really a reason I think. Just thought I should make sure you weren't acting weird, and if you were I'd at least find out why if I was with you without wanting to kill you, like usule." The blond shrugged before shaking his head slightly. "I was going back to get you a new set of clothes, and speak with Namie."

"O-oh…" Izaya frowned, "Why are you still being nice to me? Why did you even save me?" he asked quietly as he stared down at the navy blue sheet covering his legs. It still didn't make any sense to the info broker but if he were to look to the blonde beside him he might have been given a clue.

"Your smart flea, figure it out for yourself." Shizuo said in a soft fond voice, "I'll be back, but I'll give you hint." He said cheekily.

"What do you mean by a hi―" Izaya felt his eyes widen as a warm pair of lips pressed against his own. His face quickly heated in color as soon as the kiss ended, and the blonde was out the door before he could respond.

He could only stare blankly at the door with his mouth agape, there was no possible reason what just happened, happened. Was it even reality? Was he still dreaming? There was no way that Shizuo would willingly kiss him otherwise, he hated him… right? Izaya quickly covered his mouth with the palm of his hand as he looked back out the window, his face incredibly warm. He then lightly with the tip of his finger brushed against the bottom of his lip, it still tingled. It wasn't a dream. Heiwajima Shizuo kissed. Kissed him, his worst enemy.

The raven couldn't help the small smile that quickly over took his features. "Shizuo really kissed me…" He whispered to himself as he gently brushed his finger across his lips again. The kiss was soft and warm, it was just like any other kiss one would receive. But at the same time it wasn't, it wasn't like in the fairy tales with fireworks erupting with a touch of the lips, and it was different than any other kiss he has shared with ex-lovers, but there was an incredible warmth that overcame him. It was a type of warmth he's never experienced before, and he soon wanted more. He wanted to experience that gentle pressure on top of his lips again, and again.

A small chuckle escaped his lips as he realized how ridiculous his thoughts became, but he couldn't help it. He was happy, so incredibly happy because all if his doubts could be put aside. He has a chance that small brush of the lips said so, they may have been enemies before but now things can change. They can change together, and see how far what they have between them could go. Or so he hoped. He may have been happy for the moment, but he knew things were only beginning. But there was hope at least.

"What's got you so happy Izaya?" Shinra asked as he walked up to the couch his eyebrow raised. "It's really weird, I've never seen you like this." He said as he fixed his glasses and leaned closer to inspect him.

"Shut up, Shinra." Izaya grumbled his smile quickly forming into a frown as he avoided eye contact with the doctor.

"Ohoho~ this must be good, tell me." The doctor grinning slyly as he took out his stethoscope to monitor his breathing.

"There's nothing to tell." The raven grumbled again as he calmly breathed in and out, praying that his friend would not ask about his elevated hear rate.

"Hm… looks like you're hiding something!' Shinra teased as he stood up and walked to his work bench where a tray of food was located and brought it back to the injured informant, placing it on his lap carefully. "And it seems like it something good!" he declared cheerfully.

"Shut up Shinra! Nothing happened!" He insisted with as he stubbornly took the bowl of miso and drank some of the salty liquid.

"Oh so it has nothing to do with Shizuo walking out of this door bright red but smiling like a duff?" The doctor asked as he continued to check his vitals with a raised eyebrow. Smirking when he noticed the heart rate of the man sitting in front of him increased.

"Positive?" Shinra asked slyly.

"Shut up Shinra…" The information broker hissed quietly as he grabbed his fried chicken with his chopsticks and stuffed it into his mouth while his cheeks lit up in a flush, ignoring the chuckle that came from the doctor.

"Your lying Izaya~ How unlike you to be so obvious...~" He teased him as he continued eating and walked back to the counter to retrieve Izaya's pain killers.

"I swear Shinra…be quiet. Nothing has happened." The raven insisted as he stuffed some steamed vegetables in his mouth unable to meet his eyes.

"Don't mess this up Izaya, he good for you, just how you're good for him." Shinra smiled as he placed one white pill on his empty plate and headed to the door without another word.

Another smile spread across his lips as he swallowed the pill washing it down with some tea, good for each other was it? Maybe that could be true, maybe this is what both of them needed. Even though he didn't expect nothing much to change between them. He still planned on being his conniving self and watching over his "precious," humans as he sees fit, but having someone to come home to sounds…nice. He couldn't wait to go home, and mess with his monster, driving him crazy was so much fun.

It wasn't until late at night that Izaya found himself being shaken awake once again by the blonde. Groggily he rubbed his eyes and hissed quietly as he tried to sit up holding his ribs gently. "What time is it?" He asked yawing.

"11 at night, come on get up. I brought you some clothes to change into, we're leaving. Kasuka is giving us a ride to your place." Shizuo said gently, as he picked out the clothes from the red polka-dotted black cloth bag.

"Your precious little brother is giving us a ride? Why? He can't stand me." Izaya chuckled as he slowly shimmed out of his sweat pants and underwear, wincing at his bandaged leg. He soon grabbed a new pair of black sweats and underwear that was given to him and shimmed the pants up, avoiding looking at the blonde. He may have been sure of their feelings for the most part, but he wasn't sure how to act around him now.

"Here spread your arms out and let me change your shirt." Shizuo said as he grabbed one arm and slid it out of the sleeve hole and carefully repeated the process when he did the side where Izaya had been hurt. He then grabbed he burgundy shirt and slipped it on the male and the green sweatshirt was the last article of clothing to be put on. "There, done." He declared coughing a bit as he finally looked up to Izaya.

The raven noticed the light flush on the blonde's cheeks and felt his own fill up with warmth as the blonde slowly leaned in closer. He felt his eyes slid closed as he leaned in as well and felt light brush of air at his lips before a frim but warm lips were pressed against his own. He melted into the kiss as he hesitantly moved his lips against his and smiled when he felt a warm hand being placed on his cheek when they parted. He chuckled lightly when they pressed their foreheads together and finally opened his eyes being met with incredible warm honey eyes.

"Ne, Shizuo….what was that for?" He teasingly asked as he smiled wider knowing his cheeks were only getting warmer by the second.

"Tsk….You know why tiny flea." He muttered before leaning back and kissing his forehead.

"Ohoho~ so this is what happened earlier then!" Shinra said loudly as he finally let himself be known, leaning casually against the door frame.

"SHINRA!" Shizuo snapped jumping up in surprise, his cheeks heating up. "Why are you here?! I told you to wait outside!" He hissed as quickly stuffed Izaya's clothes back into the bag.

"Well Kasuka-kun, wanted to come in~" He teased laughing as he turned his gaze to Izaya who quickly threw the hood over his head glad it hid the entirety of his face.

"Kasuka?" The blonde asked confused.

"Nii-san, I'm double parked outside, we need to leave soon or I could get a ticket." The younger Heiwajima sibling said as he walked in with a small bag containing Izaya's medication for the month.

"Ah…" Shizuo said clearing his throat as he rubbed the back of his neck as he glanced back at the raven embarrassed.

"I never knew Nii-san was so forward." Kasuka commented as Shizuo was leaning down to pick up the info broker nearly losing his footing. Making Shizuo clear his throat again and felt his heart flutter when he heard the tiniest whine coming from the man hiding in his hood.

"L-let's jus go." Shizuo muttered embarrassed as he walked out of the room and nodded to the doctor ignoring his sly smile and nodded to the headless woman as he walked by and walked out of the apartment. They soon walked to the elevator and out the complex building in a matter of minutes, and soon were inside the car driving away to Shinguku. It was 15 minutes later when they arrived at the condo parking lot and Kasuka was parking the car. The drive to the condo had been quiet and a little awkward on Izaya's part, he took his hood off as soon as he knew his cheeks had cooled down but he still felt humiliated to be interrupted at such a vulnerable moment for him. He just really wanted to go to his bed and hide under his cover until he forgot the entire ordeal.

It was moments later that he saw the car door being opened on Shizuo's side and he glanced to the side to be met with Kasuka's blank stare.

"Is NIi-san sure about this?" He asked as Shizuo got out of the car hearing a grunt as a response from his older brother. Izaya began to scoot to the open side of the door sighing as he waited for the disapproval of the younger brother. He didn't expect the younger brother to warm up to him anytime soon, and would most likely try to convince the blonde to leave him as much as possible.

"Even with your past?" He asked as he stared at his brother, Izaya simply glanced at the blonde to his side nervously gripping the leather seat. Here it comes…

"Even with the past Kasuka, things aren't the same anymore and I prefer it like this than it was before." He said simply and shifted his gaze to the raven sitting down a gentle smile taking over his features. Making Izaya smile back as he wrapped his arms around his neck to make it easier to be held. Ignoring the annoyance of being held like a woman. Once he was comfortable in the blonde's arms he turned his gaze back to Kasuka, waiting for him to speak only to be met with silence.

"Kasuka-kun, I know you despise me for the trouble I caused your brother… But things are different now. And maybe things could have been easier if I….." Izaya trailed off silently before taking a deep breath and speaking again, "If I realized things much much earlier, but now that I have… I don't want to completely go back to the way things were back then…And I don't think Shizuo does either." He said quietly towards the end and took a chance to look at Shizuo only to be met with a smile that made his stomach twist in a pleasant way. He turned his gaze back to Kasuka, awaiting his answer.

"Okay…" Kasuka whispered gently before glancing back to his brother and then back at Izaya, "Okay." He repeated as a very small smile spread across his features and turned to go back into his car and drove away.

The two stayed quiet as they walked back to the elevator of the garage and Shizuo pressed the button for the elevator to come down. Izaya bit his lip and tried to ignore the fast fluttering of his heart and cleared his throat before speaking.

"Ne, Shizu-chan…." He spoke quietly as he glanced back to the blonde his arms around him tightening and loosening quickly. He continued when he got a grunt as a reply. "Do you really want to…stay with me?" He asked nervously biting his lip. He felt a chuckle before he actually heard it from Shizuo and waited for him to speak in agitation.

"I'm staying Izaya." He said gently as he stepped into the empty elevator and looked back down at Izaya. "Is that ok with you?" He asked as he smiled leaning down more to Izaya.

"It's ok," Izaya whispered smiling as he tilted his head up and pressed their lips together ignoring the ding of the elevator doors closing and the movement of the elevator going up. He tilted his head more to press harder into the kiss and shivered when he was coaxed into parting his lips.

It's more than okay…

The End

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Okay! It's done guys! I hope this was fluffy enough? I can't believe its over .