Cracked bonds

Shizuo opened his eyes feeling somewhat refreshed. Blinking at the tv he wondered at first how he had got on the couch before remembering what had happened only a little while ago and that he had never left the couch. Propping himself up on his arms, Shizuo rubbed a hand lazily through his hair letting the blanket slide from his shoulders to pool at his baby bump. "Izaya?" He asked sleepily. The laptop was gone as were both phones. "Izaya?"

Dumping the blanket to the side Shizuo dragged his body to the edge of he couch standing up slowly. His bladder demanded to be emptied. Firstly though he needed to confirm where his lover was. Waddling to the kitchen Shizuo poked his head around the door. "Izaya?" No sign.

Trudging to their bedroom Shizuo groaned hand resting on his belly. The bed had been made but apart from Shi-chan and Iza-chan the room was empty. "Izaya? Ugh!"

Pain ripped across his middle directing him towards the bathroom. He might want to find Izaya but his body's needs came first. The handle to the bathroom door rattled as he attempted to open it. Locked. Shizuo groaned resting his forehead against the door. "Izaya!"

The door clicked opening a few seconds later. Shizuo gulped his lover stood in the doorway naked and dripping wet. "Good morning, Shizu-chan." Damn Izaya looked hot. "Did you sleep well?" The raven leaned forward to kiss him.

"In a minute. Toilet first." Shizuo held his belly pushing past Izaya to get to the toilet.

"Ah. The baby pressing down again? Do you need help?" Shizuo shook his head.

"I can still reach my dick thanks. Ugh. The baby thinks my bladder is a football or something. Are you seriously going to watch me pee?" Shizuo groaned seeing Izaya hadn't left the bathroom.

Izaya smiled closing the bathroom door locking it. "No but I still have an hour until I leave for work and I didn't quite finish my shower." His lover teased with a smile.

Something had changed. It didn't feel as if they were patching their marriage together any more. Namie had probably expected that he wouldn't let Izaya see the phone. That he would watch alone and only make it halfway through the video fearing the worst.

What had happened instead was the truth had set him at ease. His bond with Izaya felt reborn into something even stronger. Any lingering doubts had been cleansed. Shizuo knew it was the same for Izaya. That cocky grin was back. His lover had known that information was always correct. Facts couldn't be lies to confuse and manipulate. Evidence proved the facts. The video had been what he needed. The child was Izaya's and with the exception of a few gross and unwanted touches his body hadn't been violated.

"Izaya!" Shizuo had barely flushed the chain before his boxers were tugged down his legs. "What the hell? I haven't washed my hands yet."

"So? Come shower with me." Shizuo shook his head with a sigh kicking his boxers from his ankles, his underwear and vest following. "I'll take these off." The bandages unravelled from his chest and legs leaving him as naked as Izaya.

"Why are you so happy this morning?" Shizuo sighed trudging to the shower. Izaya gave him a smile that melted his heart. "Forget it." With a smile of his own Shizuo joined his lover in the shower the slim glass door closing behind them.

x-x-x

"Hold still." Shizuo sat on the edge of the bed watching Izaya redress his leg. "Why didn't Shinra stitch these up?"

"Probably not deep enough. Leave them alone. I told you not to lick them. That's disgusting." Izaya wouldn't let go of his leg not even when he tried to pull away.

"I'll have a word with him. Your knees are sore." Shizuo shuddered pushing his lover away. "Wah." Izaya's ass hit the floor. "That's not nice, Shizu-chan. I'm inspecting your battle wounds."

"Inspect them without that lecherous look on your face." Shizuo groaned grabbing the bandages. One more day and only so Emi didn't see the wounds. Izaya smiled innocently.

"Lecherous me? Are you sure you understood the meaning right?" Slapping the flea around the back of the head, Shizuo pulled on some knee length black shorts much like Izaya's. "Aw you got dressed. You're no fun."

Checking the pads were in place he wrapped the bandages securely around his chest before the annoyance could grope him. "It's for protection. What's wrong with you this morning?" Shizuo blinked his legs flying up, Izaya hovering over him.

"Mm. Why wouldn't I be? It's another beautiful day and I have my darling-ow-all to myself. Why don't we consume the day rolling under the covers?" Izaya grinned pecking his lips and his nose and his cheek.

"It's going to be another bloody hot day which I will be spending in the pool. You have work and Emi is on summer vacation in case you forgot." Shizuo sighed closing his eyes. "Not to mention my mother visiting today. We have responsibilities, flea. Maybe another time."

Izaya slumped defeated but not upset. His lover was acting like a hyperactive child on a sugar binge. "I'll hold you to that, Shizu-chan. I guess I'll make breakfast. Pancakes okay?" Shizuo blinked seeing the flea skip to the door rounding the corner like a pole dancer. "Chocolate syrup and lots of cream?" Izaya called happily.

Bewildered the pregnant man followed the raven's trail to the kitchen listening to him whistle happily. A whole carton of milk was set down in front of him. Everything that his lover had complained about before. "Does Emi want some too?"

"Dunno. She's still asleep." Shizuo ran a hand through his hair reaching for the carton.

"Not for long." Izaya sing songed skipping from the room. Not much surprised Shizuo about the flea any more but this time he was left bewildered at the flea's antics.

A sharp bark grabbed his attention. "Morning, Shi-chan. Hungry?" The puppy barrelled under the table into his leg. Shizuo chuckled attempting to reach down. It helped that the puppy stood on its hind legs. "Up you come."

The kitten pawed the threshold of the kitchen doorway hissing at him, Beady eyes fixed on Shi-chan. Shizuo shrugged stroking the puppy's fur. A large wet tongue gave him a long wet lick across his cheek. "Oi! Cut that out." Shizuo's jaw clicked shut Izaya carrying a barely awake Emi. "I'm the only one that can do that!"

Shizuo blinked putting a hand over Shi-chan's muzzle. "What lick my face?"

"Among other places." The raven grinned slyly with a wink. "Emi, wake up. Breakfast time." Shizuo lowered the puppy to the floor holding his arms out.

"You can't just pull her out of bed."

"I called her name and shook her a little. That didn't work so I jumped on her bed. That worked a little. Emi, I'm making pancakes." Shizuo sighed as his daughter was lowered to the floor toes dangling.

Out of his chair Shizuo caught their sleepy child before she crumbled to the floor. "Emi, sweetie. Time to get up." Sleepy crimson opened one small hand coming up to run at them.

"...Mama?" The clattering of pans had her eyes snapping open. "I'm not in bed?" Shizuo slowly let her stand on her own looking confused. "What's wrong with dada?"

Shizuo sat back down, his daughter climbing into his lap. "He's sick."

"Where?" Emi tilted her head. "Dada doesn't look sick."

"In the head." Shizuo groaned. There was happy and then there was wanting to punch someone in the face for being too happy. "It will pass. I hope." Emi nodded still not understanding.

"I'm not sick, sweetie." Izaya pouted. "Unless it's love sick. I get that a lot." Shizuo scoffed wondering how long overly happy Izaya was going to last.

"Love sick? Oh. I know. You're happy dada because you got laid." Emi smiled at them looking satisfied with her understanding. Shizuo gaped fingering his ear to to make sure he heard right.

"Eh? Where did you hear such a thing?" Izaya pulled himself up into the side board swinging his feet.

"Kida-san said dada wasn't happy because he hadn't gotten any in a while and needed to get laid." Shizuo raised a brow.

"Really now? I think his boss needs to have a little word with him."

"Mm, that I do. I love it when you get all demanding, Shizu-chan." Izaya hopped down showering him with kisses.

"Ew! That's gross." Emi scrunched her face up. "Dada, you're supposed to do that when you're alone. Bleh." Shizuo chuckled gently pushing Izaya away.

"Go. Work." Shizuo pointed to the door. "But after you finish making pancakes."

"My company. My rules." Izaya smirked moving forward for another kiss. "All things aside are you going to be okay today?"

"I can handle it."

"What's wrong with mama?" Emi asked picking up on the conversation. Shizuo shook his head.

"Nothing you need to worry about." His response wasn't the right one, Emi crossed her arms pouting at him.

"It's bad to lie,mama. You said so."

"Hehe. Look at our princess. She thinks she's all grown up because she's a year older now." Izaya teased lifting Emi from his lap. "Today your mummy has to confront an evil witch."

"Like my story books? Witches are humans too, aren't they?" Emi asked puzzled. Shizuo rubbed his belly pain rippling through him. It looked like the baby would be active this morning too.

"Maybe. We'll see if the witch can be a good witch or we'll banish her as an evil one." Izaya smiled light heartedly eyes cold. Shizuo nodded in agreement. There couldn't be any loose ends. It was time to confront his mother and see if they could have a normal relationship.

"No!" Emi gasped hands over her mouth. "Mama, can't fight a witch alone. I'm helping mama." Shizuo sighed seeing their daughter squirm in Izaya's arms trying to get to him.

"That's no-"

"Good idea." Izaya interrupted still using a light hearted tone. "You make sure your mummy stays happy today and doesn't get stressed."

"Yep. I'll be the knight."

"But you're a princess." Izaya pointed out kissing her cheek.

"Princesses can fight too, dada. Pancakes." Emi shimmied down Izaya's legs her nightie crinkling and running back to his lap.

x-x-x

"Mwah." Shizuo stood at the door arms folded. Izaya kissed him again squeezing him tightly. "See you later, Shizu-chan."

"Yeah yeah. Go to work." His words were ignored Izaya crouching to kiss his belly.

"You be good for your mummy. See you later, Emi. Why are you hiding behind your mummy?" Shizuo looked behind him seeing his daughter clinging to his shorts.

"You're scary right now dada." Shizuo raised a brow in question. "You're like a kissy monster." Shizuo chuckled at that seeing Izaya blink then grin.

"Is that so? Then the kissy monster is coming to get you." Izaya ducked behind him reaching to grab Emi who with a giggle ran to the couch. "Mwah." Shizuo shook his head closing the door. It looked like his lover wouldn't be going to work any time soon.

"Mama! Help!" Emi ran straight for him.

"Flea, cut it ou-mmph!" Shizuo groaned Izaya's lips on his. His back pressed against the door, gleaming crimson happily devouring him.

"The kissy monster got mama!" Shizuo sighed slipping his fingers around the back of Izaya's head. Deepening the kiss he stuck his tongue in his lover's mouth sucking on the warm organ. Izaya shivered against him eyes widening.

"Give the kissy monster what he wants." Shizuo advised breathlessly pushing Izaya away. "He'll go to work then."

"Shiz-"

"Have a good day dada." Emi's grinned hugging Izaya's leg.

"There you are." Shizuo opened the door waiting for his lover to leave. "Shizu-chan, call me if there's any problems."

"Shoo. I can handle it."

"Wah. Emi, your mama is so mean to me."

"Bye bye, dada." Emi waved. Izaya gasped.

"You too? How mean." Shizuo gave him a look. "Okay okay, I'm going." Closing the door Shizuo slumped against it. That was tiring.

"Mama, can we finish watching the season today?" Well at least he'd have time to sleep.

x-x-x

Shizuo glanced up hearing the knock at the door. His dazed eyes widened realising who it was. Looking at the time on his phone he groaned. Eleven o'clock. He had spent the morning watching the rest of the episodes with Emi. It was mind numbing.

"Emi, your grandmother is here. Turn that off." Shizuo stretched his arms above his head nudging the puppy.

"It's almost finished." Emi whined. Shizuo grimaced. If he had to watch another colourful transformation he was going to go mad.

"Off now. You can finish it later." Getting up Shizuo waddled to the door pressing his forehead against the cool wood. "Deep breaths." He whispered to himself. In his pocket was a speed dial for back up. It was his house. If he didn't get anywhere with his mother, Shizuo knew he could kick her out if she got too out of hand. Banish the witch. As Izaya had said.

Knock knock. Knock knock. Shizuo felt like a character from a horror movie. "Mama, are you not opening the door?" Heaving another sigh, Shizuo sturdied his hand opening the door.

"Dad." Standing with his mother was his father looking apologetic. He had expected to only see his mother who didn't look in the least apologetic. "...mum." Taking a step back Shizuo held the door open letting both of them in.

"Grandpa!" Emi beamed running over. Shizuo closed the door seeing his little girl demanding to be picked up.

"Hello, Emi. Happy belated birthday."

"What does belated mean?" Emi asked quietly arms looped around his father's neck.

"Late. I didn't see your invitation. I brought you a present." Shizuo sighed seeing the jealousy burning in his mother's eyes.

"Emi, do I get a hug?" Shizuo kept a wary eye on his mother ready to intercept if need be. Emi's brow furrowed innocent crimson narrowing.

"Depends." She declared hugging his father.

"On what? I brought you a present too." Shizuo paused realising what was wrong. There was a strangled tension between his parents.

"On whether you're going to be mean to mama." With a groan he shook his head. It wasn't something his little girl should be getting involved in.

"Emi, why don't you go and play in your room?"

"Don't want to." Emi shook her head. "Grandpa, where's my present?" Emi was back on her feet crowding his father. Shizuo could see his mother didn't look happy. There was a ticking time bomb in the room ready to go off at any moment.

"Do either of you want anything to drink?" Shizuo asked quietly well aware of the elephant in the room. He was wearing a navy vest that was slightly smaller than his other ones showing his rounded belly perfectly.

"I'll have a coffee, thank you son." Shizuo returned his father's smile.

"I don't plan on staying that long." His mother grumbled arms folded. "Your husband told me that I would get the answers I wanted." Husband. Not Izaya or son in law. His mother wasn't being civil or polite.

"Mama, I want a milkshake." Emi chimed with a smile. "Do we have any banana?"

"I don't know. Why don't you check?" Shizuo smiled ruffling his daughter's hair.

"Honestly." His mother grumbled loudly. "I'm guessing you didn't get fat which means you're pregnant. Decided to have another child after getting rid of your other one?"

"Namiko. That's enough."

"It's fine dad. I expected this. I didn't get rid of the baby."

"You lied to me?" His mother scowled melting him with her gaze. "How dare y-"

"No!" Emi stepped in front of him arms spread wide. "Don't say bad things." Shizuo sighed lifting Emi into his arms.

"Emi is right. Sit down, Namiko." Shizuo waddled to the kitchen to get the drinks ready. Already his fingers twitched wanting to call Izaya. This was going to be a nightmare.

x-x-x

The only one that didn't seem to grasp the truth was his mother. Everyone else had understood and accepted the truth. His mother was the only one that refused to listen. It was hard enough to explain when Emi was in the room.

"With your strength? You expect me to believe this?" It was going nowhere. Shizuo could feel his blood pressure rising. Nursing his glass of cold milk he nodded.

"Namiko, hear him out." His father stepped in once again.

"Shut up. You're in on this as well. Where was my invitation? You're trying to poison her away from me!" Shizuo sighed earning a glare from his mother.

"Mama, why is grandma so mad?" Emi whispered in his ear.

"Namiko, I told you to wait. I said things were delicate and to stay away."

Shizuo could get the gist of what had happened. Emi had only invited his father. The invitation had gone in the post because Izaya didn't know they had already worked things out. His father hadn't known a thing about Emi's party because his mother had found it first.

His mother was now balling her eyes out and Shizuo didn't have it in him to comfort her. Fake kindness would do more harm than good. "Emi, can you go check on the pets?" His daughter stared at him for moments before nodding and climbing from his lap.

"You've done that yourself. Emi is a smart girl. Anything that threatens or hurts this family she doesn't like. You weren't invited because she thought you would upset me. That's exactly what happened."

"What are you-"

"There is a woman and probably a whole bunch of others that are out to hurt Izaya and this family. That woman is the one that got me pregnant with Izaya's child. I wasn't supposed to have another child. My doctor warned me that it was risky. Now that woman is trying to get rid of it. When you turned up at the party demanding as always Izaya had his hands full with keeping you from ruining our daughter's party. I got hurt. If I didn't have my strength, the baby would have been hurt." Shizuo ran a hand through his hair with a sigh.

"Then call the police. Or leave your husband. If he's the one that's caused this. The safety of my grandchild comes first."

"Namiko!" Shizuo shook his head.

"It's okay, dad. You wouldn't care if this child killed me, would you?" Shizuo accused.

"The child would be healthy, wouldn't it?" There was his answer. What he had always known. His mother didn't see him anything other than a breeder.

"Namiko, that's enough!"

"Why? We're being honest here, right? I wanted a girl. A cute adorable girl. Do you know how disappointed I was when I was told it was a boy?" Shizuo flinched finally hearing the truth. "When you were born I thought it was a miracle. You were a girl. A beautiful girl."

"Namiko..." Shizuo could see his father was tense.

"It was so disappointing seeing you fight your true self. All I was trying to do was help you. Don't you see that? Instead you've become a freak poisoning my grandchild against me. It doesn't matter if you survive the pregnancy, I won't get to see that child anyway."

"Am I freak then too, Namiko?" Coffee orbs widened hearing the coldness in his father's voice. "You know the truth. Don't take it out on our son."

"You? You're a liar. You kept it from me. About the baby and what you really are! You have no right to scold me." Shizuo grit his teeth pain moving across his lower back. stress. He was stressed and it would only get worse.

"...I thought you had changed." Shizuo sighed head in his hands. "I thought we were getting somewhere."

"What now?" His mother scoffed. "Get that woman to have another word to try and reform me? Go ahead. I'm not the one in the wrong. You're a liar but I guess you get that from your father's side."

"..."

"Mama, the pets are okay." Emi smiled running into the room. Time was up. "Mama?" He didn't want to imagine the look on his face right now. Didn't want to think about how his little girl was seeing him.

"...you're never going to change." Shizuo concluded calmly. "You will always be the same bitter, twisted, demanding woman that sulks when you don't get what you want. For the sake of this child being brought safely into this world, I can't have anything stressful."

"What are you saying?" His mother snapped. "How dare you say that about me!"

"Son-"

"Sorry dad, this needs to be done. You're more than welcome to come and visit. Mum, I don't want to see you again. You are not welcome in this house."

"Namiko, let's go." His father said gently taking her hand. His mother snatched her hand away.

"You have no right to stop me from seeing my grandchildren."

"I wasn't finished." Shizuo replied calmly eyes cold. "If my children wish to see you they can. In the park or at Kasuka's under supervision of both Izaya and dad. I want nothing to do with you. Thank you for giving birth to me, I'm sorry I was such a disappointment." Shizuo smiled sadly. "Now get out of my house."

"Shi-"

"Namiko, enough. We're leaving." This time his mother was forcibly removed from her seat. "I'm sorry it had to come to this son."

"So am I. Thanks for coming, dad."

"Bye bye grandpa."

"Bye bye, Emi. See you soon." Shizuo said nothing leaving the room. They would let themselves out. Laying on his bed, Shizuo drummed his fingers on his sensitive belly.

"...witch banished." He muttered to himself. This was what it had come to. Loose ties had to be smoothed or cut. His mother had changed momentarily before she had known of the abortion and the truth his father had been hiding.

"Mama! They're gone. Was the evil witch grandma?" Shizuo nodded not trusting himself to speak. The woman was still his mother, she had given birth to him and raised him in her own messes up way. "Mama, does it hurt?"

Emi climbed onto the bed crawling over to him. Shizuo gathered her into his arms. "A little. Emi, if I ever become like that get your father to take you away from me."

"That would never happen, mama. You're the gentlest mama in the whole wide world." Shizuo chuckled smoothing Emi's short hair behind her ear.

"How would you know? You haven't been outside of Japan."

"Because you're my mama." Emi beamed snuggling against his belly. "Do you want me to call dada?"

"...no, let's leave the kissy monster at work." Shizuo joked not wanting to disturb his lover. The phone in his pocket was silent. "Why don't we watch the rest of your anime?"

"Yay! Mama, guess what grandpa got me!" Shizuo remembered the shape of the present with a groan. Another anime. It was his fault this time. He had told his father how Emi was and what she was into now. "I'm hungry. Can we make cakes?"

"Sure. There should be enough ingredients. Go and wash your hands." Shizuo sat up seeing Shi-chan sitting beside the bed tongue hanging out. Looking up he could see Emi hadn't moved. "Didn't you want to make cakes."

"I want to make them later. I want to cuddle you now, mama."

"I just gave a you a cuddle." Shizuo sighed standing up. Emi hugged his legs. "Let's go and check the cupboards."

x-x-x

"Emi, Shizu-chan, I'm home." Shizuo glanced up from the couch. Emi was watching her anime using his belly as a pillow. "Huh? That's a new one."

"It was a present from grandpa." Emi beamed.

"Is that so. What did you two do today?" Izaya joined them on the couch kissing Emi on the cheek and him on the lips.

"Bleh." Emi wiped her cheek. "Kissy monster came back." Shizuo said nothing his nose twitching. Izaya smelt strange. It wasn't a new cologne or anything, just strangely familiar. "We made cakes, walked Shi-chan, played in the pool, tried to bathe Iza-chan and now we're watching anime."

"Uwah. All that? Someone's had a busy day. Shizu-chan? Are you feeling okay?" Izaya scooted over on his knees looking down at him.

"Mama's been quiet all day." Emi said looking puzzled. "The witch got banished."

"Ah. I see. Are you okay watching this by yourself?" Izaya asked. "I'm going to take your mummy."

"I'm fine." Shizuo sighed sitting up. There was no room for any argument. Shizuo grumbled to himself slowly shifting from the couch. A cool hand pressed against his forehead.

"You feel a bit feverish."

"It's hot." Shizuo muttered irritated. He didn't struggle letting Izaya lead him into the bedroom. The kitten was plucked from the bed and plopped outside the door before it was shut.

"Namiko-san hasn't changed then? I thought my mother was working miracles on her." Shizuo shook his head slumping on the bed.

"Yeah, looks like you can't change someone's core personality."

"You changed me." Izaya grinned sitting next to him.

"Apparently so. I didn't know you before TGOI so I can't say anything."

"True but you've heard things from my mother, father and probably my sisters. I know Rio-chan told you what I did to her." The flea was gently probing to see his opinion on the matter.

"That was the past. Doesn't matter." Shizuo rubbed his belly wishing the baby would stop being so violent. "Go take a shower, you stink."

His lover looked insulted sniffing at his shirt. "I don't smell." Izaya argued.

"Yes you do. You smell like...blood." Shizuo's eyes widened realising what he could smell. There wasn't a speck on Izaya's clothes. Reaching out he tugged the shirt open checking his lover's torso for injuries.

"I'm not injured, Shizu-chan. I'll go and take a shower. Care to join me?" Shizuo shook his head feeling drained.

"Don't feel like it. I'm going to sleep for a while." That was if the baby let him. Crawling to the head of the bed, Shizuo struggled tiredly with his clothes. Flopping down he let Izaya help.

"Okay. Are you hungry?"

"Not right now. I'll have something later." Shizuo covered a yawn.

"Today was a bit too much, hm?" Izaya sat on the edge of the bed smoothing his hair down. "I thought everything went well because you didn't call."

"I never want to see her again. Any communication will be through you and my dad. Can you get me some pain killers?" Shizuo groaned massaging his lower back.

"The baby is playing up?" Izaya rested a hand on his belly. Shizuo hissed. "Where does it hurt?"

"Lower back and my belly. This little one is going to be a handful." Shizuo sighed laying back against the pillows Izaya was quickly propping up behind him. "What's wrong?"

"Hm? Nothing." The flea was looking distracted. A cold chill ran along his spine, goosebumps spreading along his arms even with the heat. "When is your next check up with Shinra?"

Shizuo lay down his eyes slipping shut. "End of the week. He wants to do another ultrasound to check everything is okay." Izaya's fingers smoothed through his hair. "My mother was never going to change." Shizuo muttered. "I did the right thing."

"Mmhm." Izaya soothed kissing his temple.

"...then why don't I feel any better?"

"I can't tell you that, Shizu-chan. For now the both of you need space. Let's see if she changes because of your decision. Focus on the baby and your health. There's not long to go now." Despite the pain Shizuo fell into a dreamless sleep feeling the warmth of his lover.

Next:- God's hand (Izaya)