Shizuo perked up in uncharacteristic enthusiasm.
"Really? How did they even find out…but this is great, I was so afraid they'd not like us together…"
"I hope Shinra didn't go blabbering. But Shizu-chan, they are huge fans of yours. I think they want to take you home. And force you to cross-dress."
"That would be strange. But I'm so happy that they approve, I really am. Kasuka does too."
Izaya blinked.
"Wait, you told your brother…?"
"Yeah. I mean, he asked."
"What exactly did he ask?"
"If I was getting along better with you."
Izaya turned off the computer.
"And you couldn't just tell him we're friends now?"
"But that wouldn't be the truth."
"You can be too honest, Shizu-chan. This is not something you want the outside world to know. Your poor brother, he must be so horrified now."
"Not at all. He congratulated me for finally having someone that is, you know, special…"
Shizuo was suddenly afraid of having overstepped the bounds of their relationship.
"It's nice that he's so cool and all but you have parole, which means your reputation in the outside world is still important. How would you feel if the people who know were to find that you are having sex with me?"
"Doesn't bother me. I mean, should it?"
Izaya shook his head.
"Where should I start. There is the fact that you're known for hating my guts but more than that everyone knows I'm about as loose as it gets. I am not even bragging now, I really can't remember all the people I've slept with. That's not just the kind of person you want to be associated with."
It was Shizuo's turn to blink.
"It's weird that you should say that, of all people. Why would you care?"
"I'm not nice, Shizu-chan. You'll never meet a sweet girl that I'm sure is out there for you when your time is done if you have the reputation of doing it with Orihara Izaya."
"So what? I don't care. Besides, I don't want any girl. It looks more like you're ashamed…don't you want people on the outside to know?"
"I don't care for my sake. After all, I'm me and it's to be expected. But I don't want to ruin your future choices."
Shizuo scratched his head.
"You're being considerate, I guess…but everyone is already afraid of me. Even if they weren't I'm really fine with everyone knowing about it."
Izaya decided to postpone this to some later time. He was still considerably shaken and not in the mood for tackling something this big.
"What do you say we forget all about living in harmony, harmony and got some sun at the yard? I may go for a tan. Maybe I'll become a ganguro, just lend me some of your oxygenated water and I'll bleach my hair."
Izaya picked up his crutches and was on his way.
"Are you sure you don't want me to carry you?"
"Exercise is good for me, so says Shinra-sensei. And I'm still not talking to him."
Izaya did not get a chance of elaborating on this because he was suddenly detained by a group of well-armed guards and a man in a suit.
"Prisoner 3456, we are taking you for a questioning concerning the death of prisoner 7890."
Without further ado handcuffs were applied to him. Shizuo stepped in between.
"He's injured, what are you guys doing?"
"Let it go, Shizu-chan. Gentlemen, my mobility is currently greatly reduced so I am afraid I can't accompany you."
Izaya knew to be wary of suits. Lifelong habits of nurturing suspicion paid off.
"We're keeping the cuffs. Guard, pick him up."
Wait-"
"Shizu-chan, enjoy the sunshine for me."
Izaya told him to be quiet with a stare. Shizuo often missed such subtleties but he got the point now. Still, he was not about to simply let this slide.
"I'll carry him to the interrogation room myself."
The guards murmured.
"Fine."
