"Shiki-san, thank you."
"Let's go to the office, I have a job for you."
Izaya became alert immediately.
"An informant's job?"
"Yes. It's what you are, isn't it?"
"Indeed it is."
Izaya was keenly aware of added responsibility. It sobered and elated him at the same time. Shiki noticed how intent Izaya was throughout the brief. Normally Izaya seemed breezy even on such occasions, so much so that if Shiki did not know better he would have discounted Izaya altogether. But now the façade of smoothness was cast aside completely and Izaya showed his concentration nakedly. Shiki found it charming in a strange way.
"I understand. I will do my best, Shiki-san."
Izaya's phone rang and he made as if to turn it off.
"Take the call, it might be important."
Izaya hesitated.
"It's Mairu."
"All the more reason to take it."
"Thank you, this won't take long."
Shiki removed himself to a polite distance. But he was planning on listening to the side of the conversation that was available to him. His curiosity was whetted.
"Mairu, this better be important. Did something happen?"
"That's what I want to ask. Are you dying or something?"
Izaya blinked. All he knew of Mairu pointed to her being on the insane side of things but he could not make heads of tails of her now.
"Dying? Of course not. Now that was random."
"You're acting mighty weird. All of a sudden you're giving us the time of day. Just wondering if you were about to kick the bucket."
"Well I'm not, thank you for your concern."
"You better not go and die on us. I mean it. Not that I would care but it'd make Kururi sad and I won't have that."
"Right. Anyway, I am as healthy as it gets. And I'm in a middle of something, I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Okay. And you better not be lying."
"Goodbye."
Izaya sighed as he ended the call. Then he perked up.
"Shiki-san, do you know about hobbits?"
"Can't say that I do."
It was the answer Izaya expected and the one he wanted.
"Hobbits are short stubby folk with flat furry feet. More importantly they are known to give presents on their birthday. It's an interesting case of self-serving generosity since they only have to give once a year and yet are bound to receive many presents all year around, their social group being on the largish side. Anyway, to keep the hobbit spirit I bought you something."
Izaya was almost grave as he presented polished cuff links in a velvet case and a sleek tie. Shiki inspected the items.
"I can always use more of these and this is top quality stuff. Thanks."
"I noticed that you use cuff links, it's part of my job – or more, part of my nature – to notice details. The little things tell a lot about someone."
Shiki was amused.
"What do the little things tell you about me, then?"
"Well, that is- that you project an image of discreet elegance that matches the way you are in charge without having to make a show of it."
"Interesting."
Izaya positively beamed.
"I'll start working on the case right now."
And indeed Izaya seemed ready to rush back home to tackle his many resources.
"It can wait until the morning, get some sleep first."
"But I can start now."
"No need for that. I want you well rested before you start. No point in doing it otherwise."
"I'm not tired, though."
Shiki considered Izaya's altered state anew. This eagerness mingled with almost childish stubbornness was completely new.
"It can wait, Izaya. It's getting late, you can crash at my place."
That sealed it. Izaya was happy to comply. Later, Shiki stayed up and watched Izaya sleep by his side. Izaya never stayed long enough after sex. Just long enough to deliver a few lines about some abstract topic or another and then out the door after a quick shower. It was a token of their sexual relationship: casual encounters that satisfied both parties without demanding anything.
Shiki was very much aware that Izaya as he was now, happily curled on his side, was entirely faithful. It was a strange feeling. Fidelity was something foreign to Izaya and it would have remained thus if not for this unlikely memory loss. Shiki had always thought Izaya to be interesting but he now knew him to be likable as well.