One television show later and the duo was about as uncomfortable as two people could get. There wasn't supposed to be a round two of quality time. It was supposed to end with Shinra saving the flea and making him better so that the two of them could go back to status quo. It wasn't supposed to be like this!

Shizuo munched on some popcorn as he watched television, growing more and more unamused by the nonstop typing that was occurring right next to him. The flea had three, count them, THREE computers out and running. One was propped open, downloading heaven only knew what. One was propped open, flipping through folders that Izaya was typing for on his other computer. Meanwhile, he entered and monitored several chatrooms. The flashing of opening and closing windows was slowly growing on his nerves.

Wasn't he supposed to be recovering? Should he be allowed to mess around with all this right now?

A long, loud yawn erupted from the louse before he began typing faster yet. A hand reached over as if to grab the glass of water he had gotten for the flea eons ago (which he had not even touched), but at the last minute, the hand moved over and began typing on the other computer, pulling up a file of documents.

"Izaya…"

A hint of a pink tongue appeared to wet his lower lip before said lip was bit down on. Crimson eyes narrowed as Izaya paused and stared at something in a chatroom. All clicking of the computer keys stopped. Sound in the living room went to the muted TV.

Then…

Not a second later…

Vigorous typing started back up, a smirk growing wide on the informant's face as he moved a hand over and began typing onto the other computer. He created another window and was soon filling that with information. A small photo of a stranger appeared on the screen to go with the folder.

"What's that?"

Izaya's gaze flicked over to him a minute before he smirked, "work."

"Yeah? So this is how you gather intel on everyone. I should have guessed that it would be saved on something. I doubted that you could remember stuff on everyone."

The flea snickered softly, "yeah, but I have a really good memory anyway."

"No one's is that good though."

"Ah, true." The typing continued and Shizuo leaned back. Waiting…

And waiting…

…

Bored with the way things were going, the debt collector pulled the laptop away from him and set it on the table with the other two. A murderous glare formed at the absence of the informant's computer. "I'm trying to work here."

"It's nearly midnight."

"It's nearly done."

"Fine." Shizuo gave it back and pulling out his pack of smokes. "I take it back at midnight."

"Gee wiz, mommy! Will you be tucking me into bed too," Izaya asked in a high pitched childlike voice. Shizuo nearly glared at him, but before he could do that, Izaya started to go into a coughing fit. The computer fell from his grasp as he doubled over on the couch and continued coughing.

"Stupid flea." Reaching out, he grasped the informant's wrist and pulled him against his chest, pounding on the man's back softly. Slowly, the coughing subsided and Izaya remained frozen.

"…What… are you doing… Shizu-chan?"

"I'm trying to help you."

"Stop. I… need…help…" His voice cracked and turned raspy as he spoke.

Hearing none of whatever the flea thought he was going to say, Shizuo dumped a blanket on him and, one by one, shut down his computers, leaving small responses on the chatrooms for him. The flea watched him cautiously, as if he were about to smash them and round on him.

He flicked the living room light off before heading to bed, leaving the flea in a daze in the living room.

~.~

He couldn't sleep.

It wasn't that he had energy, he was extremely tired. It wasn't that he had things to do. It was the fact that there was something missing… well, someone. That small preoccupied space that could not be replaced with his pillows; it was keeping him awake. It was cold. It was empty without him.

Be damned though if he was going to swallow his pride and go begging that idiot to sleep with him. That would be a horrible idea. No, it wasn't happening.

Mocha colored eyes stared at the ceiling.

Nothing.

Not a single wink of sleep washed over him, casting him off into a realm of peaceful oblivion.

Maybe some music-

The dark wood door opened a sliver and Shizuo shut his eyes, tensing up a bit in case he needed to dodge whatever was intruding his room.

"…Shizzy-chan~"

"What louse?"

Opening his eyes, he looked over to find the man glaring daggers at him. "..."

"What do you- Huh?"

Wordlessly, the informant walked over, moving the sheets enough so that he could climb in and snuggle into his usual spot. The small arms latched out to pull him over and cuddle his lithe person into the blonde's chest.

"…flea, what are you-"

"I hate you."

"Then why are you- Flea?" Shizuo looked down to find the man out like a light. Slumber started to descend on him as well as he rubbed the informant's shoulders. Briefly, he wondered why Izaya was here.

He hated the flea.

He tried to kill the louse.

Luckily for him, exhaustion rescued him from any theories that could be found.

~.~

A/N: I DECLARE THAT HATE/LOVE SMUT MUST COMMENCE! Review your opinions!