Tough lesson
Celty had a glow about her as they met up outside the gate. It looked like it had been the right thing to do no matter what his jealous lover said. Has he been any trouble? Shizuo looked down at the sleeping child. "No, no trouble at all." Carefully handing Kenta back to his mother the blond sighed stuffing his hands back into his pockets.
Do you wanna talk about it? Celty typed one handed balancing Kenta in her arms. Shizuo shook his head glancing at the school gate where in a few minutes his daughter should be running through. A tap on his shoulder drew his attention back to the screen. Izaya wanted to spend the day with you didn't he? You didn't have to sacrifice your anniversary for us.
"It's fine. We spent the day together anyway just not the way he hoped. Besides Kenta being there stopped another argument." Their conversation was disrupted a group of children running from the gate.
"Mama!" Came a loud cry, Emi running into his arms. Shizuo grinned his smile slipping as he struggled to lift her. Maybe it was something to see Shinra about after all. Hoping the strain didn't show on his face the blond groaned feeling his stomach twist, his daughter slipping from his arms and down his legs. "Mama?"
Covering his mouth Shizuo was glad there was a bin close by, grabbing the sides he emptied the contents of his stomach blaming Izaya for buying bad sushi. That was the only thing he had eaten differently. "Mama?" His daughter asked panicking. "Do you need dada?"
Shaking his head his cheeks flushed feeling dozens of eyes on him. Of all places to be sick it had to be outside of school with a bunch of parents and their children watching. A small hand rested on his leg. Glancing down he could see his daughter stretching trying to reach higher. It was Celty who laid a delicate hand on his back rubbing gently in circles. "I'm calling dada."
Shizuo shook his head the movement making him throw up again. His phone was gone from his pocket and into his daughter's hand. It wasn't too hard to work his phone considering Izaya was on speed dial. "Dada." The blond groaned hearing the call go through. "Mama is being sick."
"Emi, pass me the phone." Embarrassment flooded him, all he wanted to do was leave the area. His stomach though had other ideas keeping him pinned to the spot. There wasn't even that much left in his stomach to keep throwing up.
"Uh huh. Okay dada. I'll let mama know." His little girl smiled handing the phone back. "Dada said he's on his way and to make sure you don't go anywhere until he gets here." Emi informed him standing there like an angel the shining halo practically blinding. Shaking his head he tried to turn away only for Aiko and Celty to add their bits.
I think you should wait for Izaya. Shizuo glanced at the message watching the road for his damn lover to turn up. The least they could let him do was move away from the school. "Orihara-san? Is everything okay?" Of course it just has to be his daughter's teacher that happened to see him puking his guts up.
"Fine. I ate something dodgy at lunch." The woman- he forgot her name- nodded in understanding.
"Do you want to sit down?" Shizuo shook his head wanting the ground to swallow him up. It didn't take long at all to hear the screeching of tyres as Izaya's sleek car slid neatly next to the curb. "Ah, it looks like you're in good hands." The woman's fear of Izaya was palpable, the blond watched her scurry away and he didn't blame her.
The driver's door was thrown open a stern looking Izaya hopping out hurrying to his side. Shizuo stood frozen unable to move. He hated having the attention on him and with the number of people increasing around him it only made him feel worse. "Come on, Shizu-chan." The rear door was opened, the flea ushering him inside. "Do you need a lift?"
The blond slouched his head between his knees as he tried to steady himself. Next to him he could hear the click of a seat belt Celty, Aiko and Emi climbing into the car. He could feel Celty's hand on his shoulder. "Ugh." Shizuo groaned. If he knew the flea they were heading straight for Shinra's.
"Dada what's wrong with mama?" His daughter asked from the passenger seat.
"Bad sushi." The blond mumbled out.
"I'm feeling fine, Shizu-chan. It's not the sushi. I'll get Shinra to do a check up."
"It'll pass flea, I'll be better after a nap."
"Hn. This isn't up for discussion. This might have something to do with why you're losing your strength." Shizuo slumped closing his eyes deciding to conserve his energy rather than get into a fight with his stubborn lover.
x-x-x
Shizuo blinked slowly raising his head as the car door closed, the vehicle slowly pulling away from outside of his best friend's home. "...Iz-"
"You aren't well enough to make the trip up there. I'll arrange for Shinra to drop round." Izaya quickly interrupted. "We'll be home soon." Shizuo nodded clutching at his head not understanding why he was feeling so weak.
A soft click sounded loudly against his ears. "Mama, are you okay?"
"Emi, get down from there. Put your seatbelt on."
"I wanna sit next to mama." Shizuo couldn't bring himself to look up and see what was going on.
"It's dangerous. Get down." The breaks screeched making him lurch forward in his seat. "Sorry Shizu-chan." His lover apologised. A small hand landed on his back and he knew Emi was now in the back seat with him. "Emi, put your seat belt on."
"Yes dada." Shizuo groaned quietly clutching at his head. The sooner they got home the better, he didn't think he had what it took to throw open the door and show the passer bys the contents of his stomach. "Mama, are you okay?" Emi asked rubbing his back.
"Almost home, Shizu-chan." Shizuo remained silent. It was risky to so much as nod his head. It didn't help that he felt the car speed up.
x-x-x
Emi ran on ahead of them, whilst Izaya helped him from his bent position. "I knew this wasn't a good thing." The raven muttered looping his arm over his shoulder. Shizuo stepped out breathing in fresh air, his legs were shaky taking steps from the car and along the path to their home. Behind him the car door slammed shut followed by a soft beep.
"..." Shizuo narrowed his gaze trying to meet his lover's eyes. "S-"
"Don't worry about it. You're sick, I should have noticed something was wrong. Hold onto me protozoan, you're slipping." Through shuttered vision Shizuo slowly staggered up the path reaching blindly for his key. "I've got it."
This wasn't how he saw his day going. Stumbling through the door his arm began slipping from the raven's support. "Ugh." His arm felt like it was being torn from its socket, Izaya trying to hold him up. Shizuo shivered feeling cold and weak.
With Izaya's guidance the blond was helped into the bedroom where his arm slipped again letting him tumble onto the mattress. "Emi, can you get a bucket?" Shizuo shivered again swallowing back the bile that threatened to rise. "You're home now, Shizu-chan." Letting his eyes slide shut his damp lashes brushed against his skin. How humiliating and pathetic.
His breath hitched feeling Izaya smooth thumb the lone tear away. The mattress dipped his lover's warmth against his belly. Izaya said nothing gently stroking back his bangs. Shizuo shuddered again curling into himself. "Dada, I can't find the bucket." His daughter called running into the room.
"Okay, I'll get it." Cracking one eye open the blond stared at his lover's back. Reaching out his fingers hooked into the fluffy hem of Izaya's jacket to stop him going away. A part of him knew that this wasn't normal. Something was wrong, something that felt like his bond with the supportive flea would be tested. Ah, he had jinxed it. Hadn't he? Telling Celty his fears and right on the peak of happiness he had once again been pushed off a freaking mountain like a tiny snowball. It happened every time. High school, Izaya, Emi and now he was sick, so sick that it was causing him to lose his strength.
"Shizu-chan? You want me to stay with you?" Pathetically he could feel himself blush his weakened grip trying to convey his feelings. "I'm only going to get a bucket for you. You don't have the strength to get to the toilet do you?" Shizuo closed his eyes letting his fingers straighten out as his grip loosened. His vision blurred as he stared at Izaya's retreating back getting further and further away from him.
"Iz- don't go." Shizuo mumbled through quivering lips. Izaya was already gone leaving him alone in his suffering. Curling into a ball, his arms wrapped around his knees like a small child.
A small finger poked his cheek. Forcing his eyes open concerned crimson blinked back at him. "Mama, does it hurt? I don't like it when you're sad." His daughter's hand rested on his cheek. "Dada will make you better."
"Emi, leave your mummy to rest." A soft clunk sounded the bucket placed on the floor. "Go and play, I'll make your dinner shortly."
"Yes dada." Hurried footsteps padded along the carpet as his daughter left the room. Shizuo jolted a hand resting on his head.
"I'm not going anywhere, Shizu-chan." His lover soothed gently stroking his hair. "Try and get some sleep." The bed dipped again Izaya taking his former seat. Shizuo smiled softly letting his consciousness drift.
x-x-x
It wasn't that dark when the blond awoke from his slumber. Slowly pushing himself up he caught sight of the single light shining in the room. Izaya's laptop. "Shizu-chan? How are you feeling?" So he hadn't been abandoned.
"Better. How long was I asleep?" The blond asked covering a yawn.
"It's half six. Only a few hours. Are you hungry? I made you dinner too." Shizuo shrugged feeling empty. "I called Shiki-san to say you were sick." Izaya informed him. "Shinra will be over as soon as he's done with his operation."
"Operation? For Celty's sake I don't want to know."
"Ah that's right you two confide everything to each other." The light on the laptop dimmed as it went into hibernation. "I'll reheat your dinner. Emi is still up. There was this animated film she was watching. The synopsis said it will be finished at seven o'clock."
"...right. I'll-"
"Stay in bed." Izaya finished for him. Shaking his head lightly Shizuo slipped from the bed seeing that he was in his boxers. Any excuse for his lover to undress him.
"I feel-" Shizuo sighed the door closing behind Izaya. "-fine." Laying back against his pillows The blond looked up at the ceiling. Whatever had wiped him out had already passed. Since Izaya had already called into his work the blond would stay at home but staying in bed when he didn't need to be was out of the question.
Slipping from the bed Shizuo stood making his way over to the dresser. Digging out a pair of navy lounge pants and a warm black sweatshirt, the blond pulled them on wriggling his toes as he thought about whether to wear socks or not. Deciding his feet were warm enough he left the bedroom blinking at the bright animation Emi had her eyes glued to.
Not so much though that his daughter didn't recognise he had entered the room. Her beautiful crimson orbs widened, a small worried smile aimed at him. "Mama." Shizuo stood by his decision to not stay in bed. Small hands patted the soft cushion at the back of the cuddle couch.
Crawling to the back Shizuo sat propped up by the cushions. Emi grinned sitting in his lap where the blond's arms held her close. "Mama..."
"Yes sweetie?" Shizuo smiled waiting for another awkward question. His gaze flicked to the kitchen where his lover was oblivious to him disobeying. That was until Emi's head rested on his belly.
"Is there a baby in your tummy?" She asked quietly. "Dada said you would get sick if you had another baby." Was that what she thought? Shizuo blinked in shock surprised that Emi had remembered a conversation from weeks ago.
"No." The blond reassured her. "I'm not pregnant. Don't worry I won't get sick." Shizuo smiled curling a lock of hair around his finger.
"O-okay. Then when can I have a pet that you and dada promised?"
"Shizu-chan. What are you doing out of bed?" Izaya grumbled from the kitchen door. Ignoring his lover Shizuo instead answered his daughter's question.
"Why don't we go to the pet shop on Saturday?"
"Do you think you should be making such promises?" The flea chipped in perching himself on the back of the cuddle couch. Shizuo shrugged hugging Emi to him.
"It'll be fine. If not you can take her. We did promise a pet."
"Fine fine. Emi, what pet do you want?" Izaya asked falling over the back of the couch and landing next to him. Shizuo glared at him tiredly wondering why he didn't just skip around the front like he usually did.
"A snake." Both him and his lover blinked not expecting the answer.
"A snake? Don't you want something cuter?"
"I want a long green snake to take to school." Emi pouted folding her arms in a huff. Shizuo slumped feeling another headache coming on. Massaging his knuckles against the corner of his forehead the blond shuffled forward.
"Hm, I think I need to go lay back down." He said quietly. Unfortunately Izaya was wise to him trying to find an escape.
"You still feel bad, Shizu-chan? You look better. It's boring being on your own, stay out here with us." Those sharp crimson orbs glittered with amusement.
"Right." The blond sighed moving back amongst the cushions. Emi settled back into his lap whilst Izaya settled for curling up next to him hugging his arm. "Aren't you watching your cartoon?"
"It's an anime ova, mama not a cartoon. I've already seen this one. She gets her powers back and transforms into a magic girl to stop the bad guy." Their daughter explained proudly.
"Then why am I letting you stay up late?" The raven asked not quite pulling off the innocent look. It was enough for Emi though who gulped turning back around to watch the screen.
"I- it was the first one I watched. This one is the-second one." The remote control was in Izaya's hands the small TV guide appearing at the bottom.
"It's not good to tell lies, Emi." Izaya scolded even if he was trying to hide a smile.
"Flea, did you reheat my dinner?" Shizuo asked ending the raven's little game. Emi was still a child with much to learn.
x-x-x
Nine o'clock came and the pair of them sat waiting anxiously for Shinra. Well Izaya more than him since his lover was wearing a hole into the carpet with his pacing back and fourth. "Cut it out. I already said I was fine." Shizuo yawned feeling tired.
"Where is he? How long does an operation take?" The flea grumbled checking his phone. "Celty isn't picking up either." Shizuo didn't want to be the one risking his lover's ire by mentioning his best friend couldn't speak so it was pretty pointless to call her.
Sharp crimson fixated on his own phone as he slipped it from his pocket. "Is that Celty?" Shizuo glanced at the screen covering another yawn.
"No. Kururi asking if I'm okay." Izaya's mood only seemed to darken.
"Shouldn't she be busy working and not bothering you?" The flea grumbled. Deciding enough was enough and that he couldn't watch Izaya pace back and forth, Shizuo slipped the phone back in his pocket tugging the irritable flea over to him.
"Because I'm not there they have to work harder." The blond simply said pulling Izaya into his lap.
Izaya scowled folding his arms with the phone screen still poking out. "A little hard work never killed anyone." Shizuo sighed shuffling back against the cushions.
"And if it was Vorona or Kururi that were off and I had to cover them?" Shizuo asked already knowing the answer.
"They should stop being so selfish and look after themselves better." His lover was bias and jealous. "Where is Shinra?" Shizuo shrugged.
"I don't know. Come on, flea there's always tomorrow. Let's go to bed." He could see Izaya struggling with himself. They both knew that something was wrong. "By the way we are not getting a snake." Shizuo continued the conversation from earlier. "I already have you."
Pushing the raven from his lap the blond got up heading back to the bedroom. "Are you calling me a snake, Shizu-chan?" Tilting his head to the right As if thinking about it, Shizuo nodded.
"Well you are slippery and slimy."
"You do realise snakes aren't slippery or slimy, protozoan? Emi looks dead set on getting one." Izaya sighed wrapping his arms around his middle. "You know what will happen if she doesn't get what she wants. Our little princess will have a temper tantrum."
Shizuo groaned flopping down on the bed with Izaya still attached. "I know. I thought she would want a puppy or something."
"Why even bring the subject up again? She would've forgotten- eventually." Shooting a glare at his lover Shizuo knew that like Izaya his daughter wouldn't have forgotten.
"She asked if I was pregnant. She remembered what you said about me being sick." Crimson orbs narrowed momentarily.
"That's not possible. I made sure it wouldn't happen again." Izaya said slowly all jokiness aside. The raven joined him at the top of the bed. "Don't worry, Shizu-chan. That's the one thing we can rule out."
"Yeah, I know. I'm going to get some sleep." Burrowing under the covers the blond turned on his side feeling a tickle against back. Glancing over his shoulder he could see Izaya drawing patterns with his finger. "What are you doing?"
His lover began to hum annoyingly. "I'm distracting myself."
"Why?" His back felt warm as Izaya pressed against him.
"Because my snake wants to enter your cave." Came the sultry purr. Shizuo groaned shaking his head.
"I should have expected that. That was awful. How long were you waiting for that one?" The blond dead panned feeling something else press into his lower back.
"Mm, really protozoan you're no fun. I have no one else to tease other than you."
"You have your employees. Besides I don't have the energy to do anything...strenuous." Shizuo muttered softly. Izaya's fingers danced along his side toying with the hem of his sweatshirt.
"I'll be gentle." Opening his mouth to say no and swat the touchy pest away, his fingers twitched as he was guiltily reminded of what Izaya had done. Slowly rolling over his hand lifted gently cupping the raven's cheek kissing him chastely.
x-x-x
Shizuo woke up exhausted feeling like he hadn't had a wink of sleep. Thinking that it was better not to say anything the blond rolled from the bed slowly sitting up. His head spun as he stood up too quickly staggering back.
His second attempt went much better. Glancing down at his attire he wondered when Izaya had redressed him. Not really caring too much about it the blond left the bedroom hearing his lover whistling in the kitchen and his daughter sitting on the cuddle couch watching television.
"Good morning, mama. Dada said I could watch TV as long as I was ready for school and didn't wake you." Shizuo scratched his head going into the kitchen.
"Good morning, Shizu-chan." Izaya smiled looking refreshed. "How are you feeling today? Shinra's patient was touch and go so he was under observation all night. I made pancakes for breakfast and a smoothie."
Shizuo blinked taking the plate with two folded crispy pancakes drizzled with cream and freshly cut strawberries along with a large glass with a pinkish hue. "It's strawberry and banana." Izaya supplied reading his mind. "It's healthy." Which meant his lover thought he was eating too much cakes again. Placing them both on the table Shizuo took a seat dubiously poking at his thick smoothie with a straw.
With an experimental sip he decided that actually despite the colour it did taste good. "Told you so." The raven smiled sitting opposite him nursing a steaming mug of strong blend coffee. Shizuo wrinkled his nose the smell bothering him now as much as cigarette smoke did.
"Mm." He reluctantly agreed taking another sip. A brief moment of silence fell between them. Today would be his first driving lesson which was where he would be headed straight after taking Emi to school.
"Make sure to see Shinra when you have a chance." Izaya spoke over his coffee. "Call me after your driving lesson." Shizuo gulped coughing as his smoothie went down the wrong way. Immediately his lover was there patting his back. "I have to get to work." With a peck on the cheek the raven was gone leaving an empty cup on the table.
x-x-x
It wasn't that Shizuo forgot his promise, Izaya had said when he had time. Which was why after dropping Emi off he apologised to Celty for cancelling their morning break together. Admittedly he should've just cancelled since he wasn't feeling one hundred percent- hell he wasn't even feeling half of that.
His stomach kept twisting in a way that made him want to smash everything in the house and curl up in a ball with a hot water bottle clutched to his belly. Instead Shizuo sat on he sofa waiting for the moment to pass. When that didn't work he made a quick dash to the toilet. There and then he should have called Shinra to get a check up.
x-x-x
Visiting new places was always a problem for the bottle blond, meeting new people made him anxious reverting back to his original defensive attitude. Dressed in his bartender uniform with the fingerless leather gloves, tinted shades and the unlit cigarette that made him look like he was up to trouble, Shizuo took a step forward the asphalt crunching under his boots.
The place screamed education sending a chill down his spine. It was school all over again. Seeing the cars with learner plates made his stomach turn as his thoughts tumbled trying to remember the high way code. Sipping at the bottle of water he had brought with him Shizuo headed straight for the automatic doors.
The place was quite small. A single red oval desk sat in the corner with a middle age woman sitting behind it. Opposite her was a small television with some driving program on. Along the sides were some uncomfortable looking plastic green chairs. Other than that there were booklets and discs for driving theory.
"Name?" The woman asked clearing her throat.
"H- Orihara Shizuo." The blond reminded himself. Behind the desk there was a rustling of paper.
"Here you are. You're early. Fill in this form and your instructor should be with you shortly." Shizuo didn't smile back. Taking the form and a pen from the pot he walked over to take a seat on the chair closest to the exit. Feeling his phone vibrate Shizuo slipped the phone from his pocket.
Good luck. Izaya x. That single text made him smile reminding him that he wasn't alone. "Idiot." Shizuo muttered to himself. With his mood brightened he set pen to paper filling in his details.
x-x-x
"Heiwajima Shizuo? I'll be your driving instructor." Came a voice like caramel. Shizuo slowly stood trying to keep his eyes on the woman's dark honey eyes. The woman without a doubt was beautiful. It was hard to tell what her age was, whether she was that young or if she had a baby face.
He estimated she was about a foot shorter than him made up for by the over the knee boots with a thin sharp heel she was wearing. A short black pencil skirt cut off just below her knee, a white kimono shirt wrapped around her thin waist tightening around her bulging chest, the top of her lacy bra peeking out.
Her foundation was natural, red lips shimmering and eyes smoky. Shizuo cursed inwardly at the fact he could tell how much make-up a woman was wearing. Clearly his past practices to get it right had finally jammed in his head. "Orihara-san? I said I'm your instructor Tanaka Yumi. Welcome to our driving school." The woman continued taking the form from him. "If you'll follow me we'll get started." Shizuo toyed with the cigarette as the woman whatever her name was walked slowly in front of him tossing her long raven tresses back.
Behind the small building was what he could only describe as a small race track with a ton of orange cones placed. "This will be the car I'll teach you in." The woman smiled running her fingers along the navy body of the small four seater. "All our cars are reliable and are regularly tested if you're worried about that."
Shizuo paused placing his hand on the handle. Taking a deep breath he climbed into the drivers' seat for the first time looking over the steering wheel. A heavy weight settled on his shoulders as the other door opened. If he messed up it wasn't just himself he would put at risk, his instructor was oblivious to his inner turmoil.
x-x-x
When his lover came home for lunch Shizuo was sitting miserably on the cuddle couch his cheque book thrown haphazardly on the table along with his keys. "You didn't call me." Izaya pointed out slowing as he reached the sofa. "How did it go?"
Shizuo jammed another cream cake into his mouth, one of five that he had bought from the nearest bakery. "About as well as I thought it would." The thought of talking about what had happened made him sick to his stomach.
The raven plopped down next to him with a questioning gaze. "What happened this time?" Not what did you do? Shizuo noticed his lover picking his words carefully. "What's this?" Came a playful tone with a sharp lilt. Glancing down at his sleeve he groaned seeing the perfect white was stained with a ruby blush.
"Damn it." The blond cursed getting up and striding into the kitchen. Another shirt ruined because of some woman's make-up.
"Is that lipstick? How did you get lipstick on you? Izaya asked refusing to let go of his sleeve.
"Dunno, must have been when my instructor leaned too close." Shrugging it off Shizuo began to unbutton his vest tugging his arm free. The shirt went straight into the wash being more concerned whether he had another one to wear.
"Leaned too close? Who's your instructor?" Shizuo looked behind him wondering why the flea was so interested in a woman he had just met.
"Can't remember her name." The blond muttered scratching the back of his head. "Damn it." His fist came down softly like a hammer stopping before he hit the closet. "Why don't I have any left?"
"Didn't you wash them yesterday? Have you checked the dryer?"
"Oh. I left them in there to iron." Shizuo realised. "I paid for repairs to the car." He added quietly. His foot had been too heavy on the pedal hearing it crack, the handbrake has come off in his hand. Not to mention the mirror had been left dangling after his strength had again glitched. His lover sighed saying nothing. The blond was thankful for it pulling on another sweatshirt.
"Are you going to give up?" Izaya asked stepping in close. "I'll teach you how to handle a car." With that he knew the flea would have a more hands on approach to teaching him. Shizuo gave his lover a dubious look. "What you don't trust me?"
"So you're not going to tease me with sexual innuendos?" His lover leaned against him one arm wrapping around his waist.
"Shizu-chan, I'm hurt you would think that." The gleam in Izaya's eye was still there. "Now care to explain this woman?" Shaking his head at the ridiculousness of the situation, the blond pulled the jealous flea in for a kiss.
Next:- Unexpected surprises