Chapter 21
Expediency on Shizuo's part moved him at mach speed to Shinra's place compared to previous visits. Shizuo felt like exploding on the way there. Partly from annoyance, frustration and concern filled him, too. Eagerly, Shizuo almost picked Arisa up just so they could make it to their destination faster.
Shizuo pounded on his friend's front door. Shinra opened it to a huffing Shizuo whose anxiety was going to jump him out of his skin.
Shinra blanched at the duo, beaten up in their respective ways. "Whoa, what happened to you guys?"
Pushing his way past Shinra -not that Shinra wouldn't let them through- Shizuo guided Arisa to the usual patch-up couch in the living room. Shinra sort of stood in his spot with a half-opened mouth like a gaping fish and looked at Shizuo, door still open with a now empty entryway.
Arisa was mumbling some things about being all right and how barging in wasn't necessary, but Shizuo didn't listen. "Hush. We're here and you're gonna be fine."
Celty had just come out from the bedroom when she saw her and Shinra's unexpected guests. [Are you two hurt badly?]
Shinra came back in from the front door. He saw Arisa bloodied and scraped. He looked concerned at Shizuo, who honestly appeared more battered than Arisa. "You should patch up."
"Damn it, forget me! Help her first!" Shizuo yelled. His hoarse voice shook as he looked down at Arisa and stroked her hair. "When she's ok, I'll go."
Celty stared in awe at her friend. So did Shinra. Shizuo was angry for a person, not at one.
Arisa's face was turning pink at all the attention. "Shinra's right. You and Izaya traded blows before I came along."
Shizuo frowned. "You're bleeding! Blood loss is serious!"
"Says you," Shinra countered, fetching his medical kit. In deference to Shizuo's piercing scowl, Shinra smiled at Arisa. "The big guy does have a point. Ladies first."
Arisa sighed. "All right."
Shinra did an apt job healing her. Her cut wasn't deep.
Shizuo took his turn next for Shinra's tender loving care. No fuss on Shizuo's part when he was the patient. Smash and fix, smash and fix. That was his routine.
Shizuo and Arisa left shortly afterwards. His craving for milk hadn't subsided, so he plunked in some change in a vending machine and got a bottle.
Giggling at a stray thought, Arisa smiled when Shizuo looked over at her.
"We're outside. Let's do something together."
Returning Arisa's offer with a grin of his own, Shizuo nodded.
Night brought them back to Shizuo's place. Talk of dinner options took place while gazing out the patio windows.
"Have any tea?" She was getting thirsty herself. "Mind if I make some first?"
"You're in luck. Sure, you can make it if you want."
"I'll be back. We'll pick something to eat once I've got tea in me."
Shizuo grunted an affirmative through a partial yawn. "Kettle is in the cabinet next to the stove. Pick a tea from the cabinet next to the fridge."
Arisa went into the kitchen and found a small stash of Japanese and other flavored instant mixes. Minutes later the water boiled and she steeped a teabag into her mug. As she poured liquid, she wondered if Shizuo wanted any. She returned to the living room to ask.
Shizuo dozed, his long legs a cramped tangle his short couch. His arms craved room, too. One hung off the edge and the other stretched out above his head.
Arisa found an extra blanket and walked over to his side. She struggled to unfold the wide thing. Once she grasped the edges, she draped the fabric over Shizuo. The serene expression on his face paused her. Not filled with the rage of fight or the tribulations of inflicting punishment, he seemed almost like an entirely different person asleep.
She chuckled softly at musings of what kind of dreams he'd have. She leaned over and adjusted the blanket before returning to her tea.
Arisa, hovered near his face, took a longer moment to observe Shizuo sedately breathing in and out before she moved to go. He was nicely settled in. Now, should she add honey to her tea-
She yelped when Shizuo's arms looped around her back and pulled her down on his chest.
"H-Hey, let me go, you fool." Her whisper came out sharper than she intended. Being squeezed by him could result in accidental death. Shizuo showed no signs of waking, still slumbering contently as a minute ago.
Her body tensed as she tried to push herself up without jarring him. His superhuman strength, even sleeping, wasn't letting her go easily. But then, Shizuo's hold hadn't tightened any further. Always a good sign. So Arisa relaxed.
"You sleep-grabbing silly man, let me go." Arisa attempted again, but no force was behind her command.
Arisa had to wait for his arms to loosen before she could leave. If she really intended to, that was. Her cheek found his chest and she listened to his heartbeat. It pulsed vibrantly, yet unhurried. She felt the beat thrum against her skin. What a lull the soothing sound was.
"Aren't you afraid of me?" The low rumble of Shizuo's question floated over.
Arisa lifted her chin and saw his eyes had partially opened. A fuzziness hazed his expression.
"No. Just your fighting."
Shizuo's stare intensified. "My fighting?"
"It's not what you want to be, right?"
He didn't answer. He didn't need to.
"Hey."
Surprised at Shizuo's brevity from this single word, Arisa replied equally quiet, "Something on your mind?"
Nothing was said right away. Shizuo was struggling with what he wanted to tell her. "I... I never told you how sorry I was I wrecked your house. I'll pay for everything, really."
Retraced his shoulder. As terrible as the situation was back then, she realized at least nobody had been fatally injured inside that building. Since then, she had been with people she otherwise would have never met. "Thanks for offering. We'll figure something out. And..." It was her turn to pause. "I'm sorry for attacking you. If you hadn't moved when you did..."
"You had a justified reason. But, thanks."
"You're not mad I stayed at Izaya's without telling you?"
"A little, but if I were you and had a chance for revenge I woulda gone after it." Shizuo's heavy eyelids closed. "With Izaya, I'm a crazy case. My goal of anger management is a long way when it comes to him."
After a stretch of pondering silence, Arisa believed wholeheartedly. "You know what? I think you'll get there."
"Hnh?" Shizuo's slitted eyes fluttered to stay open. "Saw a bear?"
Arisa laughed and shook her head at witnessing him battle so hard between sleep and consciousness. Nothing coherent was coming from him tonight.
She tipped forward and aimed for a quick peck as a goodnight kiss. An action Shizuo wouldn't even register since he was nearly asleep.
Her light press of lips unexpectedly made Shizuo's hands tangle in her hair. His mouth roamed fire on hers. The seconds were heat and wetness. His eyes now were clearly open and clearly smoldering right into hers.
Arisa reminded herself not to underestimate him until he was fully asleep.