Happiness challenge

A/N:- Next chapter. Here you go. Enjoy.

"Mama? Are you still awake?" Shizuo nodded stretching slowly. "Do you want to play a game with me?" Emi smiled standing beside the bed.

"Give me a few minutes." Shizuo apologised gently ruffling Emi's hair. "Why don't you ask your father?" His lover was probably still brooding over Kasuka's visit. He knew he was the last person Izaya wanted to see. Their daughter on the other hand...

"Oh. Okay mama." Shizuo closed his eyes seeing Emi walk slowly from the room. She would have more fun with the flea and learn more. He couldn't play chess, shogi or any of the other games scattered around the house.

It wasn't long before Emi came back into the room. "Mama, are you coming to play? Dada said he was busy." Shizuo sighed running a hand through his hair. He hadn't expected the flea to be an asshole to Emi. "Am I being annoying?"

"No, sweetie. What do you want to play?" Shizuo smiled getting off of the bed. In her hands Emi was holding the same envelope. It looked like that was part of the game.

"Then why doesn't dada want to play with me?" Shizuo gulped counting down three seconds before the room was filled with his daughter's wailing.

"Emi, I said I'd play with you." Shizuo took a step forward to calm her down.

"I want dada to play too." Emi sobbed running from the room. Shizuo followed her glancing at the top of the stairs where his lover stood.

"What's wrong now?" Izaya grumbled. With a shrug Shizuo sat down on the couch. The flea joined him looking irritated. "Fine. What game do you want to play?" Like that Emi stopped crying and smiled. Shizuo sighed getting the feeling he didn't want to know what was in the envelope.

"I made a game. It's called the happiness challenge." Emi proudly stated holding up the envelope. "It's a two person game. Mama against dada."

"What about you?" Izaya asked interest piqued. "You wanted to play a game with both of us."

"I'm the referee. I can't play because I'd win by default." Shizuo raised a brow wondering just who their little girl was taking after.

"Is that so? What's the aim of the game?" Shizuo could see a spark in his lover's eyes. A game between the two of them didn't sound too bad. The game couldn't entail much since Emi was still in elementary school.

"To see who can make who happier. I make everyone happy so I can't play." Emi smiled innocently shaking the envelope. "To start with it will be four rounds." Shizuo stared into the envelope seeing strips of folded paper. "Mama, you pick the first one."

Dipping his hand inside Shizuo picked one of the strips holding it between his fingers. Carefully unfolding it he read the word aloud. "Affection. What do we do with this?"

"That's the first category. Dada, you pick next." Izaya was looking at the envelope eyes narrowed.

"Mikado-kun helped you with this, didn't he? This explains why he was using the photocopier. All right. My turn." Mikado had helped her? That meant the drawing he had passed over hadn't been a drawing. "Gift."

That left two more. Shizuo dipped his hand in picking his second. "Place." That was three. The game was an easy one as long as he was allowed out of the house. With that text message looming over them it was looking doubtful. He still didn't know what the raven's thoughts about it were.

"This is getting expensive." Izaya smiled taking out one of the strips. "Oh dear." Shizuo raised a brow seeing what his lover had got. "Comfort zone breach." His head dropped cursing that he had underestimated their daughter. "It looks like Mikado-kun did a little more than photocopy. Can I pick again?"

"No!" Emi clutched the envelope possessively. "Those are the four you picked." Shizuo wasn't too sure about the last one. It was asking a lot. He and the flea were trying to get over their latest fight- as if you could call it that. Neither one had admitted it was a fight.

"Okay, those four it is." Shizuo shrugged. "Do we get to see what the others are? You've done such a good job of cutting them out."

Emi smiled handing him the envelope. "It didn't take that long." Shizuo tipped the contents onto the table putting the same ones together. It wasn't long until a pattern was forming.

"Why is there more of this one?" Shizuo smiled holding up the strip.

"Is there?" Their daughter asked innocently? Shizuo nodded. Izaya. She was definitely Izaya's daughter.

"Spoil Emi?" Izaya read over his shoulder. "It's a shame we didn't pick that one. You made double the amount too. What's the rest? Confession, food, help a friend, dare, date, lovey dovey adult time?"

Shizuo flushed at the last one hoping Mikado had added that one in. He didn't like to think about whether Emi knew what they did when she wasn't in the house. Affection. They hadn't really touched since after Izaya's birthday. If he touched the flea would he be pushed away?

"How long is this game?" Shizuo tried to distract himself.

"Until the last task has been done. Don't worry, I'll be at Nanny's tomorrow." Did she know what she was saying? Shizuo sighed. This had to be the twin's influence. Better to get the first one over and done with.

Tilting his head Shizuo slowly rocked to the side resting his head lightly on Izaya's shoulder. Affection. That would be to show he cared? Then a hug should do. "Shizu-chan?" Circling his arms awkwardly around the flea's waist Shizuo stayed like that. Maybe this challenge was what they needed. A push to get them to confront one another.

"Mama, I want a hug too." One of his lover's arms looped around his waist, the other held his head.

"Nope. This is our game." Izaya teased. "This is Shizu-chan's form of affection. The referee isn't allowed to interfere." Opening his eyes Shizuo looked at Emi who was pouting arms crossed in a huff. "You were the one that made the rules." With a sigh the pregnant blond-if you could still call him that-went to let go.

Izaya's hand was a vice grip on his arm not letting him go. "Flea? My turn is up. Right, Emi?" Shizuo blinked see his daughter had vanished. "Where did she go?"

"To play with the pets. Never mind that it's my turn." Shizuo shook his head more at ease that their daughter wasn't watching them.

"Just a bit more." They were finally talking without a single bit of hostility. Shizuo didn't want to waste the moment, stretching it out for as long as possible.

"Okay." His lover agreed. "Shizu-chan, I'm sorry about earlier. What did Kasuka have to say?" Shizuo closed his eyes comfortable enough to doze off there and then.

"He was here because of the messages I left. Izaya, do the bruises on my hand look bad? I can't see them." Shizuo admitted wondering what his brother had seen. Izaya had told him they were bruised, the pain a small indication of where abouts they were.

"I know. That's one of the main things we have to fix, Shizu-chan. Did Kasuka say anything about them?"

"...I think he thought you had done them. I showed him the equipment and told him everything." Shizuo sighed nuzzling his lover's shoulder.

"Hm, that's not good." There was an awkward pause dragging out slowly between them making Shizuo feel like a statue only able to blink and breath.

"Izaya, I think I should stay with Kasuka for a couple of days after all. Shizuo finally spoke. It wasn't a case of running away. They both needed a break from each other to get their priorities right.

"No. I'm not letting you out of my sight." The grip around him felt unbreakable his weakened arms trying to push his stubborn lover away.

"We both have our problems flea, we're only hurting each other. A break from one another will do us good."

"No. A couple of days will turn into more. I'm not letting you go." Shizuo reached up lightly flicking his lover's forehead. "Ow." Crimson orbs blinked looking at him full of surprise.

"Two days. That's all. Just to give us space to think." Shizuo managed to pull his arms free. "You can come and get me if I'm a second late back. If this continues we'll suffocate, flea."

Izaya's head flopped onto his shoulder. "I'm supposed to be the smart one. I know, Shizu-chan. I know we should put space between us...I don't want to. Bad things happen to you when you aren't by my side. It's my turn now."

Words falling on deaf ears Shizuo's arms fell to his sides. Izaya's show of affection was a kiss. To be expected the blond thought. It was always down to Izaya to go that extra bit further. The raven wasn't as gentle as he thought he was, soft lips pressing against his in desperation, sharp teeth biting his lower lip as if the pearly whites alone could hold him.

A soft moan reverberated in his throat. It struck him that he could possibly be a bit masochistic but seeing that he was with Izaya that was a given. More likely it was from the sudden attention after the dry spell between them. It was probably against the rules yet there was no referee around. Shizuo rested his hand lightly against the raven's cheek.

The flea flicked his tongue out lapping at his bitten lip in apology. Izaya didn't stop there slipping past parted lips tickling his tongue. Shizuo clung to his lover letting the raven do as he liked. Izaya's tongue coiled around his own constricting like a snake around its prey. It was different. A warning sign that there was a difference between love and possessiveness.

Instead of pushing the unhinged raven away, Shizuo clung tighter drowning in the harsh affection not knowing when they would be intimate again. Slipping back slowly his back hit the cushions bringing Izaya down on top of him. Drawing in a sharp intake of breath, Shizuo clenched his fists unable to do much except for clutch the back of his lover's top whilst the flea plundered his mouth stealing away his breath and his will.

A shuddering moan was the call to end it, Izaya staring down at him with wild crimson. Shizuo shivered a thin line of saliva running from his lip. "..."

"..."

"...my win then, Shizu-chan." Izaya smiled sitting back up. Shizuo remained laying where he was trembling slightly from the ferociousness of the flea's affection. "What's next?"

"...gift." He muttered breathless sitting up. Glancing around he could see Emi standing at the kitchen door holding the kitten with a puzzled expression.

"Okay. Let's go shopping." Izaya was already grabbing his coat. Emi tugged on his sleeve.

"Mama...no nothing." Shizuo smiled ruffling her hair.

"Emi, put your shoes on."

"Oi, flea. Let's do it tomorrow. I'm going to lay down for a bit." Standing a bit quicker than necessary Shizuo faltered quickly righting himself.

"Eh? Why wait? Hm, I suppose you need time because of your condition." Shizuo was already in the bedroom not looking at Izaya. "I can do the other one instead."

"Don't look like that sweetie." Shizuo soothed. Emi still had the same look on her face. "If you want to ask something go ahead."

"It's the first time I've seen you and dada kiss like that." Ah, so that was it. "Does that make you happy?" With a nod the blond lifted Emi into his lap. The kitten hissed bolting away out of the bedroom.

"You'll understand when you're older and find someone you love and want to spend the rest of your life with." Shizuo smiled kissing his daughter's forehead.

"No I won't." Emi shook her head looking up at him. "They have to be smarter than dada and stronger than you, mama." Shizuo shuddered at that image. In strength terms he was unbeatable-when he finally got his strength back anyway.

"Is that so...what do you think I should get your father?"

"Mama, I can't help you. I'm the referee." Emi scolded lightly leaning against him. "When will the baby be born? Your tummy is in the way." Shizuo laughed seeing Emi trying to get past his tummy to cuddle him.

"October."

"That's after my birthday, right?"

"Yeah, your birthday is in August. Do you know what you want yet?" A bit premature since they were still in May. Even so with things how they were between him and Izaya it was hard to tell what the next week held in store let alone August. With the amount of times Emi changed her mind by her birthday she would truly know what she wanted.

"I can have anything?" Emi asked ruby eyes gleaming. Shizuo smiled and nodded. As long as it wasn't something like a pony, any request should be fine. "Then I want you and dada to stop fighting."

Shizuo slumped smile faltering. "So do I sweetie. This is what lies and secrets do to people. Don't worry we'll fix this. You shouldn't be getting involved in adult affairs."

Emi gave a small nod holding onto his arm. "The happiness challenge was a bad idea?" Shizuo shook his head pulling her snug against him.

"No. It was a good idea."

"But it looked like dada was trying to eat you. Does that make you happy?" Emi asked staring up at him with curious wide eyes. Shizuo laughed kissing her forehead.

His reaction only seemed to make his little girl pout arms crossed in a huff. "Mama, don't laugh."

"Sorry." Shizuo raised his hands in surrender. "I'm glad you chose to be the referee." He grinned. "You really would've won by default my adorable little princess."

x-x-x

Shizuo smothered a yawn. The need to sleep weighed down on him. It was only six o'clock and already he was ready to call it a night and crawl into bed. The only reason that he hadn't was because of the laptop screen catching his attention with its bright colours.

A little behind but he was searching for a place to take Izaya. His lover was already done and finished. Whatever it was had been booked as Izaya had proudly announced at dinner. Knowing the flea's current arrogance it would end up being something to do with chocolate which at this point in time made him puke his guts up and was the number one thing to be avoided.

It seemed that every step they were taking to try and improve their relationship was destroying it instead. Shizuo had tried and failed to get that through to his lover. At this rate their marriage would really fall apart and nothing would be able to make things right again. His worst fears were coming true.

With a sigh Shizuo scrolled down the page waiting for something to jump out at him. A gift was simple enough. Fatty tuna, a new knife or a complicated looking puzzle that would be solved in minutes. The one that was really a problem was the fourth round.

"Emi, the last one is that breaching my comfort zone or Izaya's?" That was the first thing. Emi looked up from her chocolate moose.

"Your own. Will this one hurt you mama?" Shizuo shook his head.

"No, I know which one I'll do." The easiest thing for him right now. Well easier than everything else. "We'll do the other three tomorrow when you're at nana's." Emi was already back to staring at the TV. Another magic girl anime she was glued to. This time it wasn't Karisawa's fault.

Knowing Emi wouldn't be with them, Shizuo concentrated on looking for something that both he and the flea could do. A theme park was out as was anything else strenuous. Russian Sushi they visited frequently so that was out. They had already been to the zoo. A museum? "No, he likes humans not relics."

"Hm?" Emi looked up again.

"Talking to myself." Shizuo shrugged.

"Isn't that bad for you?" Emi asked.

"Probably." He muttered chewing on a plain biscuit. Then there was the school holidays. The circus was one of the first places they would go. To make it fair Shizuo couldn't choose anywhere where Emi would want to go. "I know." With a smile he clicked the link and waited for the page to load.

x-x-x

Shizuo groaned forcing his eyes open. It was barely six in the morning and someone was banging repeatedly on the door. "Izaya, door."

"Mm."

"Izaya, door." Shizuo tried again nudging his sleeping lover. His arm was swatted away the covers tugged further over the bed. "Flea! Damn." Sliding from the bed Shizuo grabbed his bed shirt putting it on and doing up the buttons on his way to the door. "Hang on."

Shizuo grumbled to himself releasing the chain and unlocking the door. What idiot didn't have a clock or a sense of time keeping? Irritably he threw open the door not blinking as it banged back against the wall. "Who bloo- Mikado."

The raven stood at the door looking nervous. "Sorry to bother you, Shizuo-san." His anger died waving the kid inside. Mikado was a quiet boy with a polite and kind nature. If he was here this early then something bad must have happened.

"Something happen with the other two?" Closing the door Shizuo led Mikado to the kitchen, the furthest place from the two bedrooms. Izaya and Emi could continue sleeping for another hour or so. "Drink?"

"Coffee please. No things are great with Anri and Kida. You don't know? Izaya called me last night and told me to be here dead on six or my pay would be cut."

Shizuo groaned shaking his head. "Tha- sorry." Covering his mouth he quickly made it to the toilet. "Damn it." He had gotten up too quickly. Back in the bedroom Shizuo grabbed one of the sick trays. There was no way he was spending all day sitting on the bathroom floor.

"Are you okay?" Mikado asked looking concerned.

"Fine. Morning sickness." The raven nodded sitting quietly at the table. "Izaya is still asleep. No doubt this is his revenge for your involvement in Emi's game."

"Ah. Did it go badly? She asked for my help." Shizuo shrugged opening the fridge to get the milk. "Let me." Mikado ducked underneath him picking up the carton.

"Thanks. It's not bad. Today we're doing the other three. I heard from Emi you wanted to ask me something."

"Shizu-chan, what are you doing? I'll make the coffee." Izaya grinned popping up in the kitchen. "Mikado-kun, right on time. I hope you don't have any plans today. It doesn't matter if you do. You're already involved. Today you'll be going shopping with Shizu-chan."

Shizuo sat down leaving everything to Izaya. He felt sorry for the younger raven.

"Shopping?" The younger raven asked with a hint of confusion.

"Buying a gift for the second challenge. If you're going to help Emi out then you might as well help Shizu-chan too." Shizuo rolled his eyes mouthing an apology to his old workmate. Mikado only smiled blue eyes twinkling. If that was all Izaya was going to do the younger raven had got off easy.

x-x-x

Shizuo won the second contest only because Izaya admitted that making him throw up wasn't exactly the best way to make someone happy. Shizuo had been more than happy to eat the cream cakes even at the cost of another bout of morning sickness. On the other hand the flea was overjoyed with his new little knife.

The third challenge had only just begun. It was his turn to start. Currently the pair of them were standing inside a large dome. Shizuo led them through the chairs stopping at the four round circles. Glancing behind him he could see that Izaya looked bored.

Right at the front there was a grassy area- it looked like grass. Laying down on one of the plushy seats, Shizuo made himself comfortable. "The planetarium? This isn't one of your best ideas. The projector is right there." Nevertheless his lover lay down next to him.

"It's different and relaxing. It feels like we're cloud watching."

"Then why not go cloud watching?" The flea grumbled struggling to stay still.

"Give it a chance." Shizuo reasoned looking forward to the show.

"If you say so. I don't see what's so special about a bunch of starry skies. It's what's below that's more important." Shizuo pressed a knuckle against his brow.

"I get it, you're a people person. You focus on your little humans. Just once can't you take in the sights and appreciate the scenery?" Shizuo flinched hearing his own words. "Never mind. This was a stupid idea." Shizuo pushed against the soft spongy material standing up.

"Where are you going?" Izaya grabbed his hand.

"I don't know. Wherever you've booked." Shizuo flushed tugging at his jeans.

"I take it back. We'll watch the stars together. Come on." A few gentle tugs and Shizuo relented laying back down.

"Yeah." Making himself comfortable his fingers hooked in Izaya's, the two of them watching as the room darkened a beautiful night sky stretching out around them.

"How long is this again?" Izaya whispered. Shizuo growled ignoring the question completely. His own mood was up and down but the damn flea was another thing. "I'm joking, Shizu-chan. Why are you so jumpy today?"

Another question he ignored tugging at his jeans. Feeling lazy Shizuo was already in the middle of the fourth and last round. He was now realising what a mistake it was on his part. Mikado hadn't so much as batted an eyelid when he had said where he wanted to go.

x-x-x

Shamefully Shizuo had fallen asleep close to the end of the show. Every image he had seen was breathtaking making him momentarily want to buy a telescope or at least come again. It was something Emi and Celty might appreciate.

Next to him Izaya stretched standing up. "Very pretty. My turn." Shizuo blushed getting up with Izaya's help. "We'll come back with Emi." The flea was already skipping from the dome.

"Dumbass." Shizuo berated himself following after Izaya. So far the score was even with one point each. It was troublesome how confident his lover was even before the round had begun.

x-x-x

"Yeah, you win." Shizuo stared up at the black and silver sign. Monochrome dragon ramen house. Izaya had done what he usually did. If his lover had gone first then he would have scrapped the planetarium and held his hands up in defeat.

"Told you so." Izaya declared sticking his tongue out childishly. "Come on." Shizuo stepped through the glass entrance. It was a small place but extravagant. Black pillars kept the building up, a silver dragon winding down each one.

Shizuo glanced around looking for somewhere to sit, the place was packed. "Shizu-chan, this way." Led up the small stairs, Shizuo was guided to three empty tables. Izaya sat at the one on the left. Sitting at the other side he took the menu placed at he centre of the table. "Is something wrong?"

"No." Opening the menu a sheet of paper slipped out. "What's this?"

"It's the order form. Tick what you want." Izaya explained handing him a small pen. "Are you sure? You're quiet."

"I'm always quiet." Shizuo muttered ticking the first box. Moving down the page Shizuo finished the last choice pushing the order form away from him. Izaya was already done handing them over to the waitress.

"Hm, if you say so. What did you order?"

"Pork noodle soup with pickled ginger, soft boiled egg halves,scallions, cabbage,onion and mushrooms. You? I'm surprised you ordered anything."

"That's mean, Shizu-chan. I ordered seafood noodle soup." Izaya defended. Shizuo blinked laughing.

"Let me guess. Tuna?" The flea nodded looking pleased with himself.

"Not just tuna. Nori, bamboo shoots, boiled egg halves, bean sprouts and narutomaki too. This is for you anyway. I'd rather you eat real ramen rather than that instant stuff." Shizuo smiled nose twitching. It smelt great. His stomach growled demanding to be fed, mouth watering.

x-x-x

Shizuo shuffled in his seat pulling the hem of his shirt down. It didn't make him feel any better. He could feel Izaya watching him but had yet to lift his head. Snapping his chopsticks Shizuo gulped seeing the daunting bowl in front of him.

Thick slices of tasty pork melted in his mouth. "Mm. It's good." Izaya leaned over chomping down on the small piece held delicately between his chopsticks. "Oi!"

"You're right. It is good." Shizuo glared at his lover, a gleam in his eye as he spotted a single lone fish cake. Quick as a snake the lonely fish cake was caught in his chopsticks.

"That's my only one, Shizu-chan." His lover dove forward chopsticks in hand. Shizuo was already chewing.

"You shouldn't have taken my meat. I didn't touch your tuna." Izaya nodded grumbling under his breath. Shizuo smiled through a mouthful of noodles. The flea had definitely won this one.

x-x-x

Shizuo hurried into the bedroom unable to take any more. He had done the last round during the third. It was now Izaya's turn. Unbuttoning his shirt he let it fall to the floor. His jeans stayed on too early to remove them.

Rummaging through his drawers Shizuo took out a clean pair of boxers. "Shizu-chan? What's h- that? Oh! That's why you were so quiet."

"I've done my last round. It's your turn." Averting his gaze, Shizuo shrugged off his jeans down past the black lace brazilian panties, matching suspenders and stockings. He had only gone so far because he hadn't wanted to wear a bra. That was a little harder to hide through a white shirt.

"It doesn't matter. You win." Izaya groaned licking his lips, one hand covering his nose. Shizuo flushed moving to escape to the bathroom. Not fast enough, the flea blocking his exit. "You can't dress like that and not expect me to do anything, Shizu-chan. That's just not fair."

"You were the one that just walked in." Reaching for his stocking his hand was tapped away. "I didn't plan-nn." Izaya glided fingers down his leg, straddling his lap with a hungry smile. "Oi! Where are yo- ah!" Shizuo sucked on his lower lip falling back against the covers. "Ahn. Not there."

"Mm, black huh? It really suits you. The colour I mean. Don't look at me like that, Shizu-chan. Although, these panties here-"

"Ow!" Shizuo whacked Izaya around the back of the head. "Alright, I won't say anything more about it. I'll just eat you slowly instead. Another hard tap.

"You might want to do something about your nose." Shizuo pointed out seeing the blood. "Pervert." The flea giggled cupping a hand over his nose.

"Only for you, Shizu-chan. Don't take them off. That's my job." Shizuo sighed waving his lover away. He had been wearing them since they had left for the planetarium and ramen house. A little longer shouldn't make a difference.

x-x-x

Shizuo lay in bed naked under the covers. Izaya was next to him oddly quiet. It made him uneasy not wanting to prod his lover to ask the same question he was every time. Because Izaya wasn't okay.

"Looks like it's a draw." Izaya muttered head in his hands. "I wonder what our little referee will say about that." Shizuo stayed quiet seeing the pained look in his lover's eyes. "I haven't done the last challenge yet. Have I? Breach your own comfort zone. Shizu-chan did it so well. I guess I don't have a choice."

Shizuo clutched his hands in the covers not liking the tone in Izaya's voice. Something was wrong. "Flea-"

"I didn't finish, Shizu-chan." Izaya gently placed a finger against his lips. "I'm going to hurt you. I don't want to but I will. I'm doing it now. You were right and I was wrong." Shizuo listened hearing the moment his lover's voice cracked. "I-its better if we have some time apart. G-go and stay with Kasuka."

"Izaya?" The raven wasn't looking at him staring down into his lap. Scooting closer Shizuo cupped his lover's chin gently lifting it so he could see those sharp eyes. "Wha-" Crimson orbs glistened wetness rolling in small beads down Izaya's cheeks.

"I-I'm letting you go. If we stay together l-like this...I really will chain you up. I-I love you, Shizu-chan." Shizuo pulled Izaya to him cradling his head against his chest. "I love you too m-much."

"I know." Shizuo blinked through the damp film in his eyes hugging Izaya tighter. "I love you too. I chose to be with you for the rest of my life. It will only be for a couple of days."

...no. C-come back to me...when you're r-ready, okay?" Izaya looked up giving him a broken smile tears streaming without pause. "I-I'll take care of-" Izaya sniffed wiping his eyes. "Emi and everything else."

Shizuo opened his mouth the words lodged in his throat. This wasn't what he had wanted. It was fine if he was the only one that broke.

Izaya chuckled lightly. "Oh dear, this really is my l-loss. This is the opposite of h-happiness. S-sorry, Shizu-chan. J-just a little longer...t-then I'll let go. P-promise." Shizuo's breath hitched clinging tighter to his lover. His hand slipped in Izaya's jet black hair, one hand holding his back. The pair of them rocked forward holding one another.

Next- time out