Izaya looked up from his computer with a smile. Across the room on the L-shaped sofa, he could see Mikado lying on his stomach, eating chocolate pocky absent-mindedly, his eyes focused on the laptop Izaya had gotten him.

"Say, do you have any plans for New Year's?" the man asked shutting off his monitor to focus solely on his boyfriend who looked up.

"There's going to be fireworks at West Gate, Masaomi invited me. He even promised not to run off." The teen chuckled though it was more bitter than amused. "From what I saw of the Dollars though, everyone's going."

Oh, that's right. They do fireworks every year there don't they? They do them at a park not far from here too though I usually just watch them through the windows. I never really thought about going to any of the events. I don't really understand the concept of wanting to celebrate the New Year, it's going to be the same as the one before it after all.

But things have changed since then. His eyes lingered over his lover. I have things worth celebrating now.

Mikado gave a long sigh and shut his laptop, rolling onto his back. "It sucks. I really want to spend the New Year with you but I also want to spend it with my friends too." Mikado's eyes looked up at the ceiling. "It's practically impossible to go both."

"It's not impossible. I could always 'accidentally' bump into you guys just before New Years." Izaya suggested with a smile and Mikado looked at him surprised before smiling brightly.

"Kida-kun won't be impressed but he'll live, it's worth it to be able to see the New Year together right?" he chirped and Mikado nodded.

"Plus~" Izaya purred with a smirk, "that way we can sneak away for a New Year's kiss." He loved the way Mikado blushed slightly before agreeing. The teen sat up and wandered over to Izaya who welcomed him with open arms.

The teen sat on his lap and sighed. "It sounds like a great idea but you'll have to be careful." Mikado lightly warned wrapping his arms around Izaya's shoulders and leaning into him. "There's a high chance Heiwajima-san might be there."

Izaya grimaced at the name of his worst enemy, "I'll try my very best to keep a low profile." He promised the teen, lifting the teen's chin to meet his eyes. "I want to spend New Year's with you."

Mikado smiled, his blue eyes full of love. "Yeah." He agreed softly his eyes trailing down to Izaya's lips, "Me too."

Izaya smiled happily and ducked his head to press his lips lovingly into Mikado's.

West Gate Park was swarming with people. Izaya had arrived shortly after eleven on New Year's eve thinking it would be plenty of time to find Mikado but now he wasn't so sure. He couldn't see anything over the mass of people let alone find a group of small teenagers.

Izaya sighed and opened his phone. He'd have no choice but to ask the teen for directions to his location, he just hoped Mikado would realise Izaya had messaged him. It took a few minutes but the teen replied.

[I'm left of the fountain under a large tree with everyone.]

What does he mean with everyone? I thought he was just meeting up with Kida-kun and that girl. Who did they run into? Izaya wondered as he struggled his way through the crowd to get to his lover. His red eyes saw Kyohei first, he was easily the tallest person there. There was a small group consisting of Kyohei's gang, some people he didn't know along with the Raira trio.

Oh, so that's what he meant. Izaya realised circling around the group to sneak up behind them. He is basically in the shadows of the trees when Kyohei spotted him.

"Oh Hey." He greeted quietly and Izaya naturally smirked at the man.

"Hello, Dotachin." He greeted, his red eyes going to Mikado who was sitting on the grass with his friends. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the way Masaomi was draped all over his lover, arm around Mikado's shoulders, all but pressing his body against him. He must have been saying something ridiculous because Mikado flushed and scolded him.

"You're not going to start something are you Izaya-kun?" Kyohei asked concerned by the man's expression. Izaya chuckled and shook his head.

"No. Can you really blame me for being unimpressed that someone is all over my lover?" the man commented feeling jealousy eat at his insides.

"They're just friends, nothing to stress about." Kyohei patted him carefully on the shoulder and the other man let out an annoyed sigh but remained quiet.

It's not fair. I should be the one all over Mikado not him! I don't care if they're just friends or not, he shouldn't be all over my Mikado! No one else should ever touch him but me! I'm his boyfriend, I'm who he loves! Curse you, Kida. I swear, this isn't fair.

Izaya broke out of his thoughts when Mikado spotted him. He said something to Masaomi before pushing him away and making his way over to the man, his eyes so full of love and happiness it made Kyohei feel embarrassed enough that he looked away.

Mikado was dressed head to toe in the winter clothes Izaya had brought for him, from the blue puffer jacket, black hoodie, black jeans, to the navy blue scarf and matching beanie –even his combat boots.

The teen smiled at him, his nose red from the cold. "You made it." He breathed, his breath coming out as a white cloud.

"I said I would." Izaya smiled nuzzling against his own maroon coloured scarf. He was wearing the turtleneck he'd brought on Halloween along with his leather gloves, ankle length jacket and combat boots. It was no longer snowing like it had been at Christmas but it was freezing nonetheless.

"I didn't know if you'd make it in time, to be honest." Mikado murmured with a warm smile. Izaya's eyes softened and he opened his mouth only to be interrupted by the whistling sound of a firework being shot into the air. He looked up just to see it explode in the sky, bright colours dying the darkness. The entire crowd seemed to quieten down to enjoy the fireworks, their deafening boom sounding throughout the city.

Izaya glanced down at Mikado and suddenly felt breathless. His heart skipped a beat as he admired how utterly beautiful the teen looked. The fireworks were reflected in his clear blue eyes and his face was set into one of awe, a wide smile of joy on his face. Izaya couldn't look away.

He's so beautiful…I want to kiss him so badly right now.

As the fireworks slowed, reaching the end of their display the teen looked up at Izaya. "What are you lo-" Mikado started to ask with a smile but Izaya just grabbed his hand and pulled the tree into the shadowy area of the trees.

"Izaya-san!" he hissed in protest looking behind him. Izaya could see Kyohei mouth something to the teen – 'Go, I'll cover for you.' Izaya reminded himself to thank the other man later.

Izaya pulled the teen deep into the forest-like area, away from the noise of the crowd, anyway from those they knew. Izaya turned suddenly, pressing the teen into the trunk of a large tree, his hand either side of his lover.

Izaya admired the sight in the dim light, the teen's flushed cheeks and those big deer-like eyes staring up at him. "I love you." He breathed before leaning forward to kiss Mikado.

Their lips moved together, softly, sweetly in a way that made Izaya's heart clench and his knees feel weak. He nibbled at the teen's bottom lip, asking for entry and Mikado gladly granted it, opening his mouth so Izaya's tongue could slip in and taste him.

"Mhm." Mikado moaned into the kiss as their tongues brushed against one another, dipping into each other's mouths. Izaya pressed the teen harder into the tree so their bodies were flush against one another.

They separated for a second, panting but within seconds they were kissing again. Izaya drew the teen's tongue into his mouth, sucking on it in a way that made Mikado's knees go weak. Hands tangled in his hair as he ran his tongue along the roof the Mikado's mouth drawing another moan from the teen.

They pull away from each other, panting, salvia wet on their lips. Izaya's plants small kisses down the teen's jaw, pulling at his scarf to nibble at his neck which made the teen shiver and dug his nails into Izaya's scalp.

Once the man had made a considerably dark kiss mark he pulled back just as breathless and panting as his lover.

"Happy New Year baby." He smirked breathlessly. Mikado shook his head with a disbelieving smile, still catching his breath.

"H-happy new year." Izaya ran his fingers through the teen's soft locks, loving the feeling of it between his fingers. He didn't want to let Mikado go, the warmth of their bodies was heavenly against the bitter cold air.

I want to go home. Izaya thought, holding the teen close. I want to take him home, take him to bed where it's nice and warm and ravish him until sunrise.

"I should probably head back before Masaomi comes looking for me." Mikado whispered pulling away to look up into Izaya's eyes. Izaya groaned. He didn't want to let teen go at all, Mikado was so beautiful and warm.

"I don't want too~" he whined childishly snuggling hard into the teen's shoulder and Mikado chuckled.

"We can cuddle when we get home." The teen promised, his tone slightly suggestive. With much reluctance, Izaya let his lover go and stepped back but grabbed his hand as he went to step away. He didn't want to let go, no. Even being apart this much let the cold seep into them and they both shivered.

"Mikado! Mikado, where are you?" Masaomi's voice called out to the teen sounding away to close, they snatched their hands apart just as the fake blond rounded the large tree they had been leaning against.

Izaya watched with a smirk as Masaomi's brown eyes darted from him to Mikado and back again. The teen glared at the informant his eyes accusing him of something he didn't even know about.

"Happy New year Kida-kun." The man greeted with his usual cheerfulness but the blond ignored him turning directly to Mikado.

"What are you doing with Orihara Izaya?" he hissed and Mikado looked at him with wide eyes. "I told you he's dangerous!" his voice was barely a whisper as if he was trying to not let Izaya hear it but his voice was just too loud in the quiet wooded area, letting the man hear every word.

"Kadota-san said you were going to the bathroom." Masaomi glanced angrily at Izaya before looking back at Mikado who looked startled by his friend's outburst.

"I-I ran into him on the way back from the toilet!" Mikado stuttered nervously.

"The bathrooms are in the other direction!" the blond snapped and Izaya snickered though he was secretly fuming. How dare someone talk to his Mikado that way? He had no right to be so angry at his lover who had done nothing wrong.

"My Kida-kun, the poor boy just went to the bathroom, he didn't commit murder. Did you ever happen to think he went this way to avoid the crowds like a smart person would?" Izaya drawled a vicious smirk on his lips.

"I swear to god Orihara-san, if you're planning to involve Mikado in one of your sick games I'll-"

"You'll do what Kida-kun?" Izaya taunted highly amused, "Glare me to death?" he mocked watching as the blond clenched his jaw and turned away. He knew damn well he couldn't even touch Izaya. He'd tried and failed before.

"Just leave Mikado alone or you'll regret it." Masaomi growled before grabbing his lover's arm and dragging him back towards the open park. Mikado glanced back at Izaya who watched him go with a dark scowl on his face.

'I'll see you at home!' the teen mouthed, a frantic look in his eyes and Izaya smiled, feeling smug that he'd secretly won over Masaomi, he'd always win no matter what he said. Mikado loved him a lot more than his friendship with Masaomi.

Izaya straightened up his jacket and repositioned his scarf. "Peeping is an awful habit don't you think?" he smirked, turning to look towards a certain tree in time to see a sheepish Shinra step out from behind it.

There was a flash of black and Izaya found himself being roughly slammed against the tree he'd pressed Mikado up against. He smirked at Celty amused despite her grip on the collar of his jacket and the fact his feet were no longer touching the ground.

He could see the dullahan's shoulder tremble in rage as she typed furiously on her PDA, her shadows acting as multiple fingers to get the job done quicker.

[You're a disgusting horrible person! What the hell were you doing to Mikado? I knew you were insane but this is a whole new level! What is wrong with you!?] Izaya read the text, feeling the rage and fury in the characters and narrowed his eyes. Izaya opened his mouth to speak but the headless woman shoved the device in his face once more.

[I should kill you right now! Mikado's just a kid! You're sick!] She rambled and Izaya smirked, more for show than anything else.

"My, that's extremely rude of you Courier-san~" he said acting as if he was completely unaffected by the position he was in. "I have to say you don't have any room to judge when it comes to relationships."

[How dare you say that to me! What you're going is not a relationship! It's disgusting and immoral!]

"Oh, are you against homosexuals?" Izaya wondered his tone casual and the headless woman hesitated, making Izaya narrow his eyes. Was she actually homophobic? She was hundreds of years old, in her experience homosexuality was probably perceived as being unnatural and disgusting.

[That's not the problem here! The problem is that you're sick and I won't let you force poor Mikado into whatever twisted thing you're into!]

"Whoever said I was forcing Mikado into anything?" Izaya retorted openly annoyed. "You have no proof of that."

"Celty-san, darling, please calm down." Shinra begged, trying to distract her from the informant but he was ignored.

[Of course you are forcing him! Mikado would never do such a disgusting thing.]

"Well, I hate to break it to you." Izaya spat venomously. "But my entire relationship with Mikado is completely consensual." He pried the woman's grip off his coat and landed swiftly on the ground. "Plus, the legal age in Tokyo is fourteen so I'm not breaking the law either. Judging someone else's relationship is quite hypocritical don't you think? All things considered." He gestured to Shinra as he took a few steps away from the angered woman.

[It doesn't matter! Mikado is a high schooler and you are Izaya! You have to be up to no good!] She insisted and Izaya shook his head, clicking his tongue disapprovingly.

"I don't see how my personal relationships are any of your business Courier." He said curtly.

She could be a threat. If she goes to Mikado and calls our relationship disgusting – he'd surely be horrified. I can't let her hurt Mikado. I have to work my way around this.

"I want you to think carefully how you were to feel if someone shouted in your face saying that your relationship with Shinra-kun was disgusting, sick and twisted." He sneered. "You'd be hurt wouldn't you?"

The dullahan didn't respond, she just stood there, her shoulders shaking. "If you say those things to Mikado, he'd be horrified and hurt. We don't need your blessing or your approval, I don't care what you think but if you hurt Mikado – I won't let you off easy." He all but growled the last bit, his eyes flashing dangerously.

"Celty…darling, let it go! You shouldn't concern yourself with the love of others! The only love you need to worry about is-ugh!" Shinra's rambling was cut off as the dullahan hit him in the stomach.

"I won't let you ruin what we have." Izaya threatened.

[What is it you have then?] The woman asked challengingly and Izaya smirked.

"Eight months of utter happiness and love." He beamed, bragging just a bit and Shinra 's eyes widened.

"Eight months? You've never been with anyone that long!" he exclaimed surprised and Izaya smirked.

"It was love at first sight." He grinned. Well, it was more like obsession and captivation at first sight but minor details aside. "Of we've been keeping it a complete secret. If my enemies were to find out about Mikado, they would target him in a heartbeat." He sighed deeply. "Plus, Mikado isn't confident about his sexuality, he's afraid of people thinking he's disgusting and hate him for it." He looked pointed at Celty and her shoulder's sagged.

"That makes sense. Homosexuality is accepted here. He could be publicly shamed." Shinra nodded with a frown.

[Of course! It's only normal! It's wrong! I will never approve!] Celty once shoved her PDA in the informant's face and the man frowned before sighing.

"I don't need your approval Celty, all I need is your silence. It would be all on you if my dear humans came after Mikado." He pointed at the dullahan and she flinched. "I can't allow that to happen."

"Well, I don't really care so I'm not going to tell anyone." Shinra shrugged with a smile. Izaya turned his attention back to Celty and a tense moment passed by.

[Fine. I won't say anything…for Mikado's sake… but I swear if you hurt him in any way…] She warned threateningly, her shoulders shaking.

"Yes, yes. Though that will never happen." Izaya smirked shoving his hands in his pockets.

I'll never break Mikado's heart. We're going to be together forever after all.

"Well, as pleasant as this had been." He drawled sarcastically. "I have to bid you a farewell, Mikado is probably waiting for me at home." He beamed cheerfully waving at them before turning and walking away.

I can't believe this. I swear if she gets in the way or upsets Mikado, I will rip out her eyes. Izaya thought angrily as he stalked back to Mikado's apartment, a sour expression on his face.

I can't let Mikado know about this! He will be crushed by her words. He was terrified when we were discovered by Dotachin and he accepted us! If he meets Celty and she calls him disgusting then the teen very well might break down.

I won't let that happen. I will protect him. Izaya silently vowed, swearing to never tell the teen of the harsh words and opinion that Celty had laid bare to him.

Honestly, he was better off keeping this piece of information to himself.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.

Review replies:

Rinxlenfan4ever: I'm glad you liked it! I love writing fluffy love.

Bloody Rose 16: Thank you! I agree, it would have been nice to see some holiday ova.