"Hey, did you know?"

"Orihara-kun can do parkour!"

"What's that?"

"It's running across buildings, or something like that!"

"Are you sure it was him?!"

"I would have doubted my eyes, but Heiwajima-kun was chasing him!"

"Yeah, it was definitely Heiwajima-kun!"

"What, he can do parkour too?"

"Well he has that monstrous strength so it shouldn't be surprising, right?"

"That's so unfair, Orihara is already good at so many things."

"Getting all the girls' attention…"

"Well it's not like he'll ever date any of them anyway, since he already made that announcement to the school."

"It seems he really is serious about Heiwajima."

"I never thought he was gay though."

"He said he wasn't gay I think."

"But Heiwajima and Orihara…what an unlikely couple."

"Not only are they both guys Orihara is like the idol of this school and Heiwajima is like the outcast, being the monster he is."

"Have to admit they look good together though."

"What, you going to join their fanclub or something?"

"Haha, no way!"

…

…

"Hey Shizu-chan?"

"Yeah?"

"Seems like people saw us yesterday, since Shizu-chan was shouting so loudly…"

"So?"

"And now they're talking about us."

"I see."

"Haha. Aren't you embarrassed?"

"Why should I be?"

Izaya looked at Shizuo, then smiled, "No reason."

Shizuo looked at him, then spoke as if he didn't care –

"Anyway why were you at my desk before I got here?"

"Why else? Because I wanted to see you."

Izaya said, and waited almost as if he was anticipating Shizuo's reaction. But the blond surprised him again when he felt a sensation on his lips.

"…?!"

It was not the kiss which surprised Izaya, but the fact that Shizuo had done it in front of his whispering wide-eyed classmates, and then drawn back as if he hadn't done something particularly shocking.

"Shizu-chan?"

"What is it?"

"Why did you kiss me?"

"Because I wanted to."

"And why did you want to?"

"Well," said Shizuo, as a smile appeared on his face. "I guess it was because I was happy."

"Happy?"

"Yeah. You said you wanted to see me. So that's why I'm happy."

Izaya's face warmed. He moved back on Shizuo's desk and rested his chin on his knees.

"What? Did I do something wrong?"

"…No."

"Is that so. Come sit here then."

"What?"

The black haired boy stared but the blond boy only gave a smile.

"Isn't the desk uncomfortable? Come sit here with me."

"…Why?"

"Well we're dating right?"

Shizuo said directly and Izaya was still staring. Realizing Shizuo was waiting for him to move, he slipped off the desk – and was pulled onto Shizuo's lap.

"S-Shizuo?!"

"Ah sorry, did I use too much strength? Are you hurt?"

"No but, I think another position would be more suitable –"

"Oh," Shizuo said and turned Izaya around so that his back was against the blond's chest whose voice was by his ear – "Is this better?"

"Not exactly…"

"What? So the previous position was better?"

Shizuo said and moved to turn Izaya but the black haired boy stopped him immediately –

"No! It's not exactly better but I would prefer this, or actually, I would prefer sitting beside you and not on you. Or returning to my original position on top of Shizu-chan's desk."

"…Is that so. But I like it this way…it's nice and comfortable."

Shizuo said casually to Izaya, resting his chin on the glossy black locks with an indulgent smile.

"Anyway let your boyfriend be selfish for a bit, flea. I'll treat you to ice cream later or something."

Izaya's mouth opened and closed but no words came out, until a certain eccentric boy made his presence known –

"Shizuo-kuuuuuuun why didn't you wait for me, don't tell me you're going to be going to school with Izaya from now on – whaaaaaaaaa?!"

"Hey Shinra," Shizuo didn't seem to have noticed Shinra's shock despite his dropped jaw. "I forgot. I'm in a good mood today so I thought I'd leave for school early, but that's a good idea."

"What do you think Izaya? Let's go to school together from now on."

"Huh? A-Alright…."

Izaya said dazedly from his place on Shizuo's lap, and Shizuo gave a dazzling smile and pressed a kiss to Izaya's hair.

"Great. I'll come pick you up from your house tomorrow."

- You don't even know where I live.

Izaya would have said, but he was still in a state of prolonged shock, though it didn't stop him from sending Shinra a glare.

"A-hahahaha…well that must be nice," Shinra said with a sheepish laugh, avoiding Izaya's heated glare. "You two certainly are romantic today…"

"We are?" Shizuo said curiously.

"Yeah, you have Izaya on your lap…"

"Well isn't it normal?" Shizuo said as if he didn't feel embarrassed at all.

"Since we're a couple and all. I'm Izaya's boyfriend so I can hold him like this right?"

But you never really explicitly stated he was your boyfriend before!

That thought was shared by everyone in the classroom, who were staring at Shizuo and his calm demeanour.

Izaya looked like he wanted to hide his face somewhere, but Shizuo didn't seem to notice as his arms wrapped around the embarrassed black haired boy and he ruffled the soft hair with a fond smile.

"Hey flea, you're surprisingly docile today. What's with you?"

He is totally oblivious isn't he!

Can't he read the atmosphere?!

Izaya was now looking at Shinra with a look that almost seemed as if he was willing to tackle the male he disliked in a desperate hug just to get away from Shizuo, even with the knowledge that Shinra was unwilling to hold anyone in his arms other than the woman he loved, much less another male.

Shinra gave a look as if to say it wasn't his fault and backed away just in case, but spoke up anyway –

"Um I think he's uncomfortable…"

"What? Why?"

"Because he's emba-"

Shinra was saved from the wrath that was exuding from Izaya's eyes when a voice spoke –

"Orihara-kun, please return to your class, homeroom is about to start. Heiwajima-kun, do release Orihara-kun so he can return to his class."

Shizuo blinked as if realizing the teacher had just arrived, but released his hold on Izaya, to the black haired boy's relief.

"Well I'm going back to my class then."

Izaya said and was about to make his escape when Shizuo commented casually.

"Yeah I'll see you at our usual place during lunch break. And maybe I should study harder so we can be in the same class next year."

"Yeah…"

Izaya muttered, his flushed face turned away as he practically ran out of the classroom, leaving behind a series of whispers.

"…Ahem. While I'm sure Orihara-kun's and Heiwajima-kun's relationship is the school's hottest topic…please return to your seats. Homeroom is about to start. Also, Heiwajima-kun –"

"What?"

"Uh…" the teacher seemed to have changed his mind at the look by the infamous blond delinquent. "Public displays of affection are discouraged…"

Everyone tensed as if waiting for Shizuo to blow up, as he was silent with a sharp stare.

"…But they're not forbidden right? It's not like how we have to keep quiet in a library."

"They're not exactly forbidden, but still they're extremely discouraged in school…"

The teacher said hesitantly, but Shizuo didn't seem to get his point for a satisfied look appeared on his face.

"That's good."

'Which means I can still do it right'? – such a sentence didn't have to be said by Shizuo whose actions spoke more than his words, for he had turned away and seemed satisfied for a reason he shouldn't have been.

Even the teacher seemed to have given up on changing Shizuo's mind or forbidding the feared delinquent from doing anything he wanted to, for he sighed and said:

"Now that everyone is in their seat, homeroom will begin. Mori-kun, if you would be so kind as to close the door which Orihara-kun left open. Minami-kun, please take the attendance of the class today…"

…

…

"Hey Shinra."

"Yeah…?"

The bell had rung a minute ago, signalling it was lunchtime. Shizuo stood, speaking to his apprehensive elementary school friend.

"For some reason Izaya is exceptionally cute today. Don't you think so?"

"U-Uh…"

"Oh yeah I forgot, you're only interested in Celty, you wouldn't be able to tell."

"Huh…"

Shinra said but Shizuo was already turning to a female classmate.

"Hey, don't you think Izaya is exceptionally cute today?"

People stopped at his words, pausing to listen to the unfortunate girl's reply –

"Y-Yes!?"

The girl shrieked in surprise and slight fear but Shizuo didn't seem to notice either –

"Isn't he? Why do you think that's so?"

"B-Because you were holding him?" She stuttered, backing away slightly in case it was the wrong answer to the unpredictable male. "And he was sitting….on your lap…"

"…Ah I see." Shizuo said and everyone thought he had finally gotten the message –

"That's nice. I should hold him more then."

He said with a contented smile – proving the class's thoughts wrong.

But the blond delinquent was entirely oblivious to the stunned stares he received, as he spoke lightly –

"Anyway Shinra, sorry but I can't have lunch with you today either, I'm meeting my boyfriend on the rooftop."

"R-Right…"

"Yeah, you can join us some other day, I'm sure Izaya wouldn't mind."

With that said Shizuo turned and made his way out of the classroom with a smile, leaving behind murmurs and a befuddled Shinra.

- What has happened to him?!

…

…

"Did you hear?!"

"About Heiwajima?!"

"They say he was seen hugging Orihara!"

"Isn't that normal? Since they're a couple."

"No he was hugging Orihara in front of his class!"

"Huh?!"

"And he didn't seem embarrassed at all, in fact he seemed happy!"

"He had Orihara on his lap!"

"Huh?! Impossible, must be rumors from that crazy fanclub of theirs or something."

"Yeah Heiwajima the guy who looks like he won't even shake someone's hand, having someone on his lap?!"

"Even if he had a girlfriend I doubt he would do such a thing!"

"Well he has a boyfriend. Maybe in private it wouldn't be so unbelievable but it was in public!"

"Kyaaaaa! That's so romantic!"

"Romantic?! It's scary! You should have seen the look on his face when sensei said 'PDA is highly discouraged'!"

"Do you think they did it?! Did they, did they?!"

"What?!"

"It's possible! Right?!"

"I don't know how two guys do it but he did look exceptionally happy…"

"Like he got laid?"

"Yeah man Heiwajima did look like he got laid."

"He was practically glowing!"

"Even Kishitani was shocked."

"Boys! Always thinking of sex! Why can't Heiwajima-kun be happy for another reason?"

"Like what reason?! And it's natural for a man to think about sex!"

"Shut up, you aren't even a man yet! Well, because they went on their first date maybe?"

"Yeah he was seen with Orihara-kun yesterday doing parkour!"

"Huh?! You mean Heiwajima and Orihara didn't have their first date until yesterday?!"

"Hasn't it been at least a month since Orihara made that announcement to the whole school?"

"It's almost worse than you with Eri-chan!"

"Shut up, Yuma!"

"I still say they didn't have sex and Heiwajima-kun is happy for another reason! I bet it was their first date yesterday!"

"And I say they did have sex, though with the kind of guy Heiwajima is, I'm surprised Orihara can still walk."

"Yeah he never showed any interest in girls but he is a guy after all! He definitely had sex with Orihara."

"But Orihara-kun wasn't limping!"

"Maybe Heiwajima was gentle or something."

"Or maybe he was the one fucked."

"Haha, Heiwajima? No way! Orihara is the proper one, and anyway Heiwajima wasn't limping either."

"So they didn't have sex?"

"That monster limping, it's hard to imagine."

"No! They didn't have sex, it was their first date yesterday! Heiwajima-kun didn't have the courage to ask Orihara-kun out until then!"

"Whatever."

"But, they really are together huh?"

…

…

Izaya would never admit he had delayed going to see Shizuo on the rooftop that day.

When he had returned to his class, there had been whispers and murmurs amongst his classmates, and some girls giggling.

Even his teacher had looked at him strangely and asked –

"Did something happen, Orihara-kun? It's unusual for you to be late."

Somehow, saying, "Nothing, just that my boyfriend pulled me onto his lap and embarrassed me in front of his classmates." didn't suit well with Izaya.

He shook his head and thanked his honor student status for the teacher seemed to leave it at that.

"Well, please take your seat."

Izaya listened for once, taking his seat and resting his cheek on his hand as he stared out the window. His cheek felt warm but he ignored it.

"Psst! Orihara!"

He turned to see his male classmates looking at him in amusement.

"Back from a tryst with Heiwajima?"

"Your face is really red."

"Like a tomato."

They laughed at that, and Izaya's face warmed further, as the other gender joined in –

"Hey! Don't laugh at Orihara-kun!"

"Boys, always so insensitive!"

"Except Orihara-kun!"

"It's really too bad he's with Heiwajima-kun…"

"Really? I think it's cute!"

"He's blushing! It's so adorable!"

The girls giggled again and Izaya wanted to run out of a classroom again. He settled for burying his face in his hands instead.

"Aww, he's really embarrassed!"

"Wow, Orihara the cool guy is blushing?"

"I can say he's almost cute, even though I don't swing that way."

"Tch better not say that in front of Heiwajima, he'd kill you in a heartbeat."

"Yeah that monster's scary."

"Hey! Don't call Orihara-kun's boyfriend a monster!"

"Whatever…"

The normal male-female dynamics were playing out around him but Izaya wasn't amused for once.

"Hey hey that's enough. Give a guy a break, will ya?"

A male voice sounded, and the others responded –

"Chill, Kadota."'

"We're just joking."

"After all, it's not often you get to see Orihara Izaya embarrassed!"

"Why can't we tease him a little?"

"It's none of you guys' business."

"Orihara-kun," the teacher cut in between the boys –

"Perhaps you'll like to take the attendance today?"

Izaya nodded and got up from his seat, hoping engaging in another more productive activity would help get rid of the seemingly permanent heat on his face.

"Ayumi Mira."

"Here, Orihara-kun!"

"Ginjiro Nori."

"Here, Orihara."

"Hikaru Rin."

"I'm here, I'm here, Orihara-kun!"

"Jirou Gin."

"Here."

"Kadota Kyohei."

"Present."

It continued on like that for a while, with various degrees of excitement being shown by his classmates when their names were called by him, which would usually amuse him but for once didn't.

"Yumikawa Shizu-o."

There was silence, and Izaya realized what he had just said. His eyes widened and he corrected –

"I mean, Yumikawa Shizune. Sorry. Shizu-ne…-chan, are you here?"

"Aww, I don't get a 'Shizu-chan'?" The girl said playfully, and Izaya blushed, bringing the clipboard up to hide his face. She giggled, "It's alright, Orihara-kun! And yes, I'm here!"

"R-Right…"

"Orihara-kun, you're so cute!"

"Really, what happened with Heiwajima-kun?"

"Won't you tell us?!"

"Yeah Orihara, everyone wants to know!"

"The juicy details."

"Even sensei! Right, Sensei?!"

"Huh?!" The teacher said in surprise, "Of course not! Orihara-kun's relationship is his own private affair."

"Oh come on, sensei gossips with his colleagues too right?"

"And it's Orihara Izaya, the teachers' favorite!"

"Still, it is his own private affair! You should respect his privacy!"

The teacher said but he was only human and he couldn't keep the curiosity off his face.

"Seriously," Izaya finally spoke in a relatively stable voice, though his face was turned away. "Nothing happened with Shizuo-kun. He just…surprised me."

"But why are you blushing?"

"What did he do to surprise you?"

Izaya recalled, and blushed again at the memory. "Nothing," he muttered.

"He just…hugged me."

He relented at his classmates' insistent expressions, feeling peer pressure for the first time.

"Hugged you?"

"That can't be it!"

"You look like he kissed you!"

"Or did something more."

"Orihara-kun," the teacher seemed to take pity on him as he backed away, his face cherry red. "Do you want to excuse yourself for a while?"

"That," Izaya said, "Is an excellent idea, Sensei. If you would excuse me, I'm off to the washroom."

He pushed the clipboard towards his teacher, whirled, and ran out of the classroom.

- That…was the most humiliating experience I've ever had.

Izaya gritted his teeth as he entered the washroom, immediately making his way to the sink to splash water to cool down his blushing face.

- Shizu-chan, I'm going to kill you!

…

…

Despite his thoughts, he loitered around school during lunchtime after his lunch before gathering himself enough to ascend the stairs to the rooftop.

Shizuo wasn't there. Izaya blinked, and wondered if he came too late.

But then he heard the sound of soft snoring, which directed his gaze up.

Shizuo was on the building of the school rooftop. There was a ladder to climb up but Izaya doubted Shizuo had used it, for it was still intact for him to climb up.

He was soon on the building and he made his way towards the sleeping blond.

"Shizu-chan? Shizu-chaaaaan!"

The blond didn't wake up. Izaya stared, then sighed.

"Fine, guess I'll go to sleep too."

He said loudly and was about to prop his back against the same surface Shizuo was sleeping on, when an idea came to him.

Smiling mischievously, the black haired boy happily deposited himself onto Shizuo's chest, making himself comfortable against the sleeping blond.

"Ahhh-Shizu-chan's so comfortable!"

He said out loud, but his boyfriend continued sleeping.

Izaya's lips curled. He withdrew, his hands moving to loosen his tie and unbutton his blazer, removing it from his person and flinging it almost carelessly away.

"Hey Shizu-chan…" he leaned in close, murmuring as he trailed his fingers across Shizuo's cheek.

"I really am going to fall asleep on you, you know?"

Shizuo mumbled something but otherwise didn't stir. Izaya stared, then shrugged weakly, letting himself fall onto Shizuo's chest.

"Ah whatever…you lazy brute. I'm too tired already."

He muttered, his eyes closed as he clutched onto Shizuo, and allowed his consciousness to fade.

…

…

"So, that's him?"

"Yeah it's him. You've heard of him before right?"

"Yeah. He's pretty famous isn't he. Never thought I'd see him so defenceless though."

"Ah yeah I was surprised too. I woke up to find this little flea on me. He fell asleep on me I think."

"Hah, he must really trust you a lot. I've never seen him asleep before and he's in my class. And I never saw him remove his blazer either, unless we're changing or something."

"You're in the same class as Izaya?"

"Yeah. We don't really know each other well though. It's surprising to see him so normal. Looks like even he can get tired. But then again I never thought he'd be the type to blush, or make an announcement like that…I almost choked on my drink then."

"…Damn it, that announcement again. Makes me wish I had heard it, even though I'd have probably been even more pissed…"

"Haha! Yeah it was pretty romantic. For someone like him."

"…He did it on purpose, didn't he? He chose that day because I was absent from school."

"Probably. Anyway you really are his boyfriend, Shizuo?"

"…Yeah. I am."

"Well that's great. I'm happy for you. Even though it's still hard to digest."

"Thanks, Kadota. Ahh yeah…it was…but now, I know it's real. …I still don't know why he chose me though."

"Have more confidence in yourself, will you? If Raijin High's idol Orihara Izaya chose you, there must be a good reason right? He's never dated any of the girls who confessed to him, I've happened upon such a scene many times, of him rejecting them. And yet he's so attached to you, to the point of making an announcement to the whole school, even though you're both guys."

"Hah. I totally don't deserve him. But, I'm happy to have him. It was kind of a pleasant surprise to find him asleep on me, he's so cute when he's asleep. Heh, he really is exceptionally cute today."

"I can't give a proper reply…because I don't swing that way. But I take it those rumors are true then?"

"I don't either. I just like him. What rumors?"

"Of you making him sit on your lap…"

"Yeah I did do that. Why?"

"Ah no, it's just…that's unusually bold of you."

"Really? Was that why he was so surprised? But I thought it was fine since we were dating."

"Yeah, that's probably the reason…"

…

…

Izaya woke up to the sound of chatter from two distinct masculine voices.

He blearily opened his eyes, yawning which drew the two males' attention towards him.

"Oh flea, you're awake."

Shizuo spoke with a smile as he ruffled Izaya's hair, as the black haired boy shifted his head sleepily on his lap.

He turned, "This guy here is Kadota."

"Ka…dota…?"

"Yeah. He's in your class right? Haha, he's also a guy I know."

"Dota…dota-chi?"

"Huh?"

Izaya blinked. Then blinked again.

Then he realized a stranger was seeing him and he shot up, raising his hands to style his messy hair which had fallen over his eyes back into place, as he formed an apologetic smile.

"Hey, Kadota-kun. Apologies for my unsightly image."

He spoke smoothly as he moved to stand and gather his blue blazer from the ground, throwing it on gracefully and sliding his slender arms through the sleeves, buttoning it with one hand as the other was occupied arranging his hair –

All the while directing a polite smile at Shizuo's associate.

"Nah it's fine. You're Shizuo's boyfriend aren't you, Orihara? Shizuo and I are friends, so it's totally fine."

- Shizuo had another friend besides me and Shinra?

- …I didn't know that.

- Just how much more do I not know about him?

Izaya thought, but the smile remained on his face as he walked to stand beside Shizuo.

"Really? Then, there's no need to be so formal then. Right, Dotachin?"

"D-Dota -?!"

"What, you don't like it? I think it's cute. Oh not as cute as Shizu-chan of course!"

"D-Dotachin….?"

"Yeah! Dotachin!"

The boy with spiky, slicked back brown hair stared for a while, before he turned to his blond delinquent friend.

"…Oi, Shizuo. Can you tell your boyfriend to not call me such an embarrassing nickname?"

"...Tch. I've told him so many times to stop with that 'Shizu-chan' but he never listens to me. We're in the same boat, Kadota."

"…I pity you, man. Wait, was he always like that?"

Kadota asked Shizuo disbelievingly, and Shizuo blinked and said.

"What do you mean? He's always been a flea."

"Flea…?

"Yeah he's small, and he's always hopping around, wanting to get your attention, and you can't ignore him. Like a flea. Oh but he looks cute when doing so. So he's a cute flea."

Shizuo said as he stood up. He was smiling again as he reached out and pulled Izaya's head against his shoulder, causing the boy to blink.

"My cute flea."

He corrected as he moved his hand to smooth Izaya's glossy black locks,

Izaya blinked when Shizuo's skin contacted with his. Heat rose to his cheeks and he swiftly removed his hand, dropping it to his side and letting Shizuo arrange his hair for him instead.

"Uh but don't fleas suck blood and are pests? …Actually that isn't the point."

Kadota muttered as Shizuo looked as if he was thinking.

"Well," Shizuo thought about it, "Izaya's definitely not a pest, and he doesn't suck my blood or anything but he does suck my emotions I guess?"

"Like when I'm with him I feel like I'm able to show my emotions more…or something like that."

"He sucks all the bad things away from me, even my greatest fear."

He smiled softly as he said this, looking at Izaya who stood beside him.

"…Thanks to this flea, I feel like I've grown a lot in this past month."

…

Izaya could only stare at Shizuo in stunned silence, unused to such sincerity directed towards him.

The wind blew, past a butterfly's wings as it flitted past in the silence as Shizuo smiled at Izaya and Kadota looked at them.

"Well," he said as he looked at his changed, smiling friend.

"You really have changed Shizuo, in a good way."

"Yeah."

Shizuo smiled at Kadota at that and Izaya felt awkward. So he pushed Shizuo's hand away from his now neat hair, pulled a smile onto his face and spoke loudly.

"So Dotachin! How do you know Shizu-chan? Are you two fellow gangster buddies or something?"

"Nah. Kadota doesn't really fight unless he has to. He's not like me, he's much calmer and composed."

It was Shizuo who answered, and Kadota stared, then sighed.

"Oy oy, you've got to start giving yourself more credit, Shizuo. Long story short I saw Shizuo fighting in front of a kid and I told him to stop. Surprisingly, he listened to me, and said he didn't know the kid was there. He doesn't want children to see violence at such a young age, and he apologized. We kind of got to know each other after that."

"Yeah I wouldn't call Kadota a gangster 'cause he fights for the greater good. He was the first to stop me when I was pissed and make me realize the mistake I made. And he isn't part of those bastard gangs either – oi what is it they call you again, Kadota? The Light Man?"

"I have no idea, Shizuo. I only know you're the Shadow Boss."

"Hah, then you must be the Light Boss!"

"No no I'm just the Light Man – what kind of name is that anyway?"

"Really, then I'll be the Shadow Man then."

"Ha! Hahahaha! Hahahahahaha!"

The two boys laughed at their shared joke, sharing a boisterous grin with each other as if they were two normal teenage boys having idle chatter.

"Nah, you're definitely the Boss."

"I ain't gonna be Boss if you're not."

Shizuo said and Kadota chuckled as he stood and gave a light punch to Shizuo's shoulder.

"Well that's friendship for you."

Izaya stared as Shizuo gave a grin, bumping fists with Kadota. He had never seen Shizuo so relaxed, not even in the past when they had been best friends.

No…

Maybe I wasn't his best friend.

Kadota was.

I mean, it's not as if we met each other on the rooftop everyday.

Kadota seemed to have noticed Izaya's expression. "Anyway Shizuo, since your boyfriend's awake I'll be going now. Sorry for disturbing," he turned to Izaya, then looked at the couple with a wry smile.

"Have fun, you two."

"Yeah. See you, Kadota."

Kadota raised a hand in a casual gesture as he jumped off the building, landing neatly onto the rooftop. He walked through the open door then closed it behind him, leaving Shizuo and Izaya alone with each other.

"You okay, flea?"

"Yeah…"

"…Is that so. Sorry, I kind of fell asleep after eating my lunch, the sun's really nice to bask in today."

"It's fine…"

"Izaya." Shizuo said, reaching out to turn Izaya's face towards him.

"What's wrong?"

Izaya inhaled, then spoke slowly.

"Is there something I'm missing?"

"What?"

"Is there something I should have, that I'm missing?"

"What? No, you're perfect the way you are."

"But…"

Izaya averted his gaze, and Shizuo blinked, before seeming to realize.

Cupping Izaya's cheek, he leaned down and kissed the downhearted boy, meeting Izaya's eyes when he withdrew.

"Don't look like that. Kadota's just my friend. I'm not interested in him like I'm interested in you."

He paused, then decided to just say his thoughts out loud.

"I told him, didn't I? You're my flea. The one who's helped me so much just by being with me. That's why, you really can't compare yourself to Kadota. He's not my boyfriend, or my flea. You are, Izaya."

He said and kissed Izaya gently again, then withdrew and brushed his hair away from his eyes with a fond smile.

"So, don't worry about it."

Still…

You've never given me that sort of expression before.

You looked so happy just now.

"If Shizu-chan says so…"

Izaya said and leaned against Shizuo, suddenly feeling tired.

"Did you have your lunch?"

Shizuo asked as he stroked Izaya's hair, holding the other boy close to his chest.

"Yeah…a while ago in the cafeteria. Since I didn't feel like seeing Shizu-chan."

"Huh? What did I do?"

Izaya glared at him and Shizuo blinked.

"Never do that again."

"What?"

"That!" Izaya jabbed his finger into the indestructible muscles of Shizuo's chest.

"That public display of affection! In front of your classmates! Do you know how embarrassing it was?!"

"…It was embarrassing?"

Izaya's glare turned scorching and Shizuo conceded, "Alright fine, I won't do it again. Sorry."

"But," he smiled as he sat down and gathered the smaller black haired boy into his lap, one eye closing in a playful wink.

"Like this is alright, right?"

Izaya's face turned red again and he retreated back into Shizuo's chest, mumbling something incomprehensible. Shizuo laughed and ruffled his hair, speaking fondly.

"You're so adorable."

"What happened to my Shizu-chan? When did he become so bold?"

Izaya grumbled and Shizuo laughed again, pressing a kiss to his hair.

"What are you talking about flea, I'm just doing my duty as your boyfriend. Didn't you want my attention?"

There was a pause from Shizuo, before he spoke again.

"That's why, from now on, you don't have to do anything. You don't have to work so hard to keep this relationship going. Because it's my turn to contribute."

Izaya looked up as Shizuo's voice had turned serious, and found Shizuo looking at him with that intense gaze.

"So, trust me. Let me handle our relationship, since you've got other more important things to handle as Raijin High's honor student. You've got to maintain your great grades, participate and win those competitions, and attend those meetings. And you said once you've got two little sisters to take care of too, right? That's a lot of things to do isn't it."

"So, you can leave the romance part to me. I'm not the most romantic guy…but I'll try my best."

…I see.

Is this why he's been so affectionate?

Izaya felt relieved, for this was the Shizuo he recognized, yet at the same time it got him thinking.

But…

…What am I to you, really?

Is it because I'm a model student that there's a gap between us?

If it's for you, Shizu-chan….

…I wouldn't particularly mind giving that up.

It's getting boring anyway.

Being with you is so much more exciting.

Even more so now that I know that you have that superhuman strength and you can do parkour.

Besides my family, you're the only human I need.

…

"I guess it can't be helped," said Izaya as he wrapped his arms around Shizuo and laid on the blond's chest.

"Since Shizu-chan has finally accepted that he's my boyfriend now, he wants to show his affection right? To make up for all his times of negligence. I guess I'll have to trust you then."

He said and directed a smile at Shizuo and while it was not insincere, those uncomfortable feelings lingered in his heart.

"Thanks, Izaya…I won't let you down this time."

Shizuo smiled with his usual honesty and Izaya let him hold him close, clutching onto Shizuo as those feelings raged in his heart, as he listened to the steady beating of Shizuo's heart.

So…

Just how…

Can I connect to you –

Shizuo?

…

…

…

So I decided to post this chapter in the end 'cause the last chapter ended so nicely it made me not want to write and have the perfect ending lol.

I think this isn't a bad place to leave off either. At a turning point of Izaya's feelings. Shizuo has accepted their relationship now like Izaya did in the past, so it's now Izaya's turn to feel insecure just like Shizuo was. There needs to be balance in a relationship I think.

(Hopefully he wasn't too OOC, but I see Shizuo as the type who may seem distant and quiet but can get really affectionate if he feels he can really like the person. Like how he's fond towards Vorona and Akane. So if he had a lover who accepts him and his strength, I think he can be quite, well, loving lol (even if he still is oblivious!), especially as he's never had the opportunity to be so close to someone before.)

Oh for those who didn't see my tumblr post - I'm pausing this story - not hiatus because I know what I want to write, I just want to focus on other stories for a while. They do say doing the same thing for an extended period can get tiring. Haha, it's long enough to tide over the wait right? Please check out my tumblr post for more details.

In the meantime, I'll be focusing on Lies and Truth and Top of the World, so please support me there as well! I may also do an update of May the best man win because seeing how awesome Vorona was in the new episode makes me want to write the next chapter haha. It'll be mostly a chapter in my little crow's point of view! I loved her thoughts and viewpoint in the novel. Shizuo is acting like a bit of a bastard there, but at least his senpai-kouhai relationship with Vorona remains intact haha. They're so adorable together. Izaya is absent sorry but he dominates all my other stories lol well he'll probably be in the next chapter (as in chapter wise not part wise). Ok I'll stop rambling now lol.

Also someone brought this up, that Izaya in the novels learned parkour from being chased by Shizuo. I'm glad someone asked! Unfortunately he's not carrying out any shady activities (I think), unlike the novels where Shinra introduced Izaya and Shizuo to each other and they met early, here Shizuo and Izaya only met after about 7 months (please refer to the Japanese school year calendar in chapter 6, and the chapter title). So they've been alone for quite some time, I'm guessing Izaya learnt parkour on his own because he was either bored or stressed out (wow, but hey he's an honor student, yuutosei here so...), parkour is a sport which requires not only great physical fitness but mental fitness, it can be used to train the mind.

Shizuo didn't learn parkour, but since he's alone (without Izaya, the gangs don't attack him as often) he probably went up to high spots to think, so he inadvertently learned parkour on his own. So it just so happened that they both knew parkour when they met each other lol. Notice how the narration mentioned Izaya isn't excellent in parkour due to lack of time, but he can't stop because of Shizuo so that's why he can keep up, which I think would make sense given that in canon he learnt parkour just from being chased by Shizuo alone. And Shizuo learnt parkour from chasing Izaya, so I'm taking it that he's a more movement and instinct type of guy from the narration in the novel when he was escaping from the Awakusu-kai, so he learnt parkour on his own without knowing, just like he did on his own here.