I AM SO SORRY FOR MAKING YOU GUYS WAIT! I've had a very busy week and a project due for my Japanese class. Plus, I've been playing a lot if Undertale- haha... sorry. At least it's out now! I'll try to update faster next time. Enjoy~!


Chapter 11: Linked Dreams

"Izaya-!"

...

Where am I...?

Everything is so dark...

What happened there?

Everything was dark except a luminous glow from afar that grew slowly and made the darkness scatter. That voice...

Who was it?

The light that blinded him brought his vision back in place to see vague, light shining dimly through the glass window. He turned his head towards the small faint streak of light that crossed his cheek. The sky was painted a glorious indigo turning to a bright blue, clouds shined with a tint of yellow as dawn was appearing, and the stars could barely be seen. He could feel a warm moist cloth on his forehead and dampening his dark locks.

Oh right, I remember. I passed out.

Izaya tried sitting up but felt an aching headache pound into his skull. He would make a joke about it feeling like he got hit by a rock or a vending machine, but didn't have the energy to do it or even break out a laugh. Izaya groaned at the pain and glared back at the sky that switched to a morning blue accompanied by a bright happy sun.

Was I out this long? The sun comes up, the moon comes down just like every other day; opposites rising. Izaya stayed rest in his comfortable bedding, eyeing the ceiling and thinking deeply in thought.

"Treat you like they should, huh?"...

Exactly, was that a Dream or a Nightmare, Shizu-chan?


"Izaya-!" Shinra called out as the limp body fell into his arms, tightly holding onto the fallen raven. He was out cold but his skin was on fire! His body was skinny and he felt fragile and light for his own looks, which was not a good sign at all. Izaya must not be treating himself properly or this "fever" would have gone silent. Shinra didn't know what to do, neither did Shizuo who was standing in a pose ready to leap out and save the raven from hitting the floor, or Celty who just steadily proceeded her shadows onto stopping the epidemic; holding back Shizuo and protecting Izaya at the times being. But this wasn't like a regular day for them- this was actually serious.

"Shizuo this is your fault! Go take him to the guest room, quickly!" He said with concern flashing through his hazel eyes. Shizuo didn't even respond and stood there for a couple of seconds like a stone statue before stuttering a small "R-Right!" and running to his side. Celty immediately went to go check his bedding to make sure it was neat and prepared since Izaya has been it for a while, it's bound to be wrinkled and messed up.

Shinra let the feverish raven slide out of his arms and into the blond's, giving him a warning glare that could easily be seen as "You BETTER be careful with him..." written in his eyes. Shizuo of course nodded and took off for the door. Izaya was incredibly warm and really light all of a sudden which bothered Shizuo, heart racing with pressure, touch, and worry. Worry?

Why am I worried for this louse?

It was his fault this happened in the first place so the best he can do is... "Make it up" to him, thanks to Shinra ordering him to. He realized that he was being completely blinded by a fog of anger that he couldn't see clearly that Izaya was still in pain. He was too hard on him and it surprisingly got to his brittle heart.

Celty held the door open for the man to pace inside. He sank onto floor level and carefully let Izaya slide out of his arms and onto the soft comforter below him.

Damn it, I screwed up again.

Shizuo opened his eyes once more and took in the scenery of the young man. His breathing was hitched and racing, breathes ragged and gasping while his pale skin flushed a pink and sweat beads formed on his forehead. His fever was fine just a while ago, why'd it come back? The apartment's air was indeed chilly, but he zoned out or he probably faked being fine so he could get up. Whatever the reason was, it wasn't settling with Shizuo's mind.

He'd have to start work tomorrow so it wasn't going to be a problem- but the words so desperate coming from the mouth of a young doctor told him otherwise. The sun had fallen and the moon rose with elegance shining along the dancing stars all around it.

Even if the flea was pitiful and reeked of a stench that even gave a monster a large grimace, he looked so peaceful in this state. His pale skin shined with the faint light from the window, lashes placing a blanket of shadow below his eyes and moon-kissed skin, cheeks sprayed with pink.

Izaya looked exactly how he did from when he had fallen into the depths of the water and was saved, placed right under the beast. He had been close to being trapped in the arms of death, and yet, a monster who was certain he'd kill him actually saved him.

So peaceful and in a state of heavenly beauty placed on such a young man.

The room was getting darker and darker while the being below him shined brighter and brighter like the moon had blessed his skin a luminous color.

He's so... Damn it, what am I saying? That annoying feeling is coming back.

His chest ached as if a true monster gnawed and placed immense pressure on it. What is this feeling? Why won't it go away?

...Was it because it's my fault this happened? Guilt...?

No- that's not it either. Dammit!

Dammit!

Shizuo tried to block all the annoying thoughts with a wall of consciousness but they flooded every inch of his mind.

He fixed his eyes on a somn raven, resting peacefully. The least he could do was watch over him, right?

He reached his massive hand over the small frail one and took it carefully. He was so frail and light that it started to place worry on Shizuo. He slightly entwined their fingers and resting them there.

God, what is this?

The feeling grew but the pressure subsided and he actually felt his pulse risen. What is this!?

He glanced back down on the sleeping raven.

Ah fuck it. The more I worry on it the more troublesome it gets.

Time passed,

And passed,

And passed.

His eyelids became heavy with a drowsy weight tugging at them to close. Shizuo tried to resist but couldn't help the feeling. He felt safe here. He could sleep here. Sleep here even in this position.

Why is that?

...

It's all dark again. What happened?

Everything was dark again. But he felt something in his grasp. Was he embracing someone?

The light of an orange tint changing to pink and back illuminated from his very being but-

He knew right away from where the light truly came from.

He was holding someone.

The light was shining from both of them.

Shizuo had no idea where he was or why this was happening. They were levitating in darkness but a ball of light was emitting from them. He looked down in between his arms and caught a glimpse of-

Silky black hair.

Silky black hair and black clothing.

No way. Is it from before?

...! If so then-!

"...Izaya?"

Silence was all that greeted to him until the figure shifted slowly, bringing it's head up and their eyes opened glancing into his mocha eyes.

"...S-Shizu-chan?"

He couldn't trust his ears. What happened? If it was where they left off from the other-

That's it.

Shizuo's eyes widened in surprise taking him aback and tense up. He realized quickly what was going on.

And it shocked him.

They stared into each other's eyes like a linked chain that would never break. Both the Orihara and the Heiwajima continued in their trance of staring, faces slightly burning from the heat rushing to them. Just when Izaya's lips opened slightly the shadows were obliterated by a flash of white light.

Shizuo opened his eyes first and found that there was no black background but now a completely white background. Everything was bright and small flower petals of the colors pink, orange, yellow and white blew in the air around them.

It was gorgeous and Shizuo couldn't take his eyes off the scene happening around them. Izaya's eyes fluttered open and was filled with surprise. Was this what became of the disgusting shadows from before?

"It's so beautiful."

Shizuo looked down to see the raven mesmerized by the ongoing beauty before him. A few petals blew in their way but red ones of a rose suddenly slipped in and entangled into the side of Izaya's hair. They matched the color of his eyes so well that Shizuo couldn't take his eyes off him.

"...You're beautiful."

What am I...?

Izaya looked back up at the man before him with utter shock. "W-What?" He stuttered as the heat bloomed into his cheeks. This was a dream right? Why am I having this one?

"I don't even know what I said, but I guess I'll say it again."

"You're beautiful."

Izaya only gaped at Shizuo with such disbelief running through his twinkling red eyes. This certainly can't be right! This is definitely a dream. He thought as his blood boiled with embarrassment. It all made him embarrassed and he couldn't hide his burning cheeks from the blond. But the most embarrassing thing here wasn't only because his most hated enemy had called him Beautiful, but he was being held in a gentle embrace by him as well.

It felt so warm and he was so cold. Cold because of them. Their damned hands that would freeze anyone in fear. But these were different. Izaya slowly brought himself closer to Shizuo's broad chest and buried his face into it. Shizuo looked down appalled about to say something but Izaya was cutting off his words.

"Why?"

"You hate me. So why are you saying this?" He said with a muffled weak voice. The raven slightly quivered before clenching onto Shizuo's vest tighter. This was all a dream so he can say what he wants. No, what he needs to say.

"I don't hate you, louse. You make me annoyed to the point I feel like I need to hate you, but I don't even know why I feel the need to do it."

What is he saying?

Izaya looked back up into mocha honey eyes smiling down at him. Why was he saying this? "But I hate you. Don't hide your lies by sugar coating it. Shizu-chan is a bad liar." Izaya looked away bitterly until arms tightened around him and he found Shizuo giving a serious expression. "I'm not lying, Izaya."

He said his name. It was normal all of the other times screaming like a maniac out to kill, but this was different. He said his name with a genuine voice and a light smile. The way his name rolled of this man's tongue made a small chill run down his spine and his face burning with a darker shade of blush.

"Stop lying you monster."

"I'm not lying."

"I said stop lying already!" He hissed.

"And I said,

I'm not lying."

Stubborn. So very stubborn. "Let me go, brute!" He snapped fiercely to the man before him but a hand snaked to the back of his head and pulled him closer until his face was placed back into Shizuo's chest. "And I said no."

"L-Let me go..." he whispered weakly, voice shaking. "And I still say no." Was all the beast had said.

"W-Why are you so unpredictable, damn brute..?"

"I told you to... let go..." his voice got quieter as he spoke. The hand in his hair began to slide up and down, stroking it. "Because you can't do everything on your own, louse."

If he could look up and glare into those sunshine explored eyes, he would've done it with either a death glare or one of sorrow. This was supposed Orihara Izaya. The man who thought he couldn't break and watched over his beloved humans like a God. But this man was unraveling his facade like present wrapping. This was all a dream. A terrible dream that tells the truth of his desires.

The arms around him comforted him in a warm embrace that made his crimson orbs sparkle with tears. "I hate you..." he whispered choking on his tears as they streamed down his cheeks like rivers. "I know."

"I hate you so much." He sniffled as Shizuo pulled him closer. "I know" Shizuo repeated.

...

"...Hold me, please..."

"Never let me go until this dream ends..."

And Shizuo did so. This was not the flea bastard he once new, but it was what was needed to be shown. Whether it's a simple dream of your fantasies or the actual truth hidden in lies, he didn't care. They alleviated through the air as the flower pedals continuously flowed around them. Izaya relaxed into Shizuo's hold and didn't even move. They stayed floating there with a warm hearted embrace as they entwined with each other.

Many minutes passed. And those minutes turned into hours. And the hours felt like eternity. He didn't care how long it has been or will be, he loved Izaya in his arms. This should be wrong though. Shizuo hates Izaya! But he did say he didn't hate him. He's just tired of how annoying he is.

"I'll never let go" he finally said after the infinite time of elevating in bliss.

Izaya pulled his head back slowly and glared into those mocha eyes. They had a moment of gazing into their lit eyes before Izaya began shifting and leaning forward slowly.

It took Shizuo a little by surprise before realizing Izaya was getting closer to his face slightly closing his eyes. Shizuo froze unable to think. This was a Dream...

He leaned forward as well, their faces centimeters away and faint blush forming.

Their lips almost touching.

They leaned even more until...

...

White.

Everything was gone in a flash of white and turned back into black. Shizuo's eyes fluttered open as he took where he was and what happened. He felt a sudden warm hand carressed into his causing him to look down. It was Izaya's hand. But it was finally warm and the heat on his cheeks were no longer able to be seen. He began to notice that he must have slept in this position since he first sat with Izaya.

...What happened? Was what he began to think until he saw the dark sky becoming a light shade of morning blue, the Sun's golden ray half way beaming through the city. Oh, I'm awake.

Shit. I've gotta work today.

Shizuo moved his body making his bones crack. He gave one last gaze at the resting raven and took in his physique.

"...Never let me go..."

Shizuo closed his eyes and slithered his hand out of the raven's grasp. He began making his way out trying not to wake anyone. He left Shinra's home and headed to his for a quick shower and a change of clothes for work.

Once he was out of the building he took in the setting of early dawn and smiled genuinely.

"I'll never let you go.

What have I been thinking about...?"