Kadota busied himself putting away the shogi things.
"Plenty of things. Including less mopping on your part but that may be too much to ask. For now I'll settle for a copy of Kafka's The Castle."
"Okay, I'll bring you one tomorrow."
"There's a catch: I want it in the original German."
Now deprived of the perennial beanie, Kadota felt exceedingly awkward as he scratched his head.
"That'll be a bit harder but I can manage. Just how many languages can you speak, by the way?"
"Stay by my side and you may find out."
"Am I allowed to do that, then? Stand by your side."
"I have been trying to state as much for a while. It did not seem to get across, though."
"Feel free to treat me like a simpleton and make things very plain."
"That'd be horribly dull, which is bad, and would make no justice to our relationship, which would be worse."
Kadota smiled weakly.
"Fair enough."
"And one more thing. Don't let Shinra's trolling get to you."
Kadota did not see Shinra's actions in that light but he knew better than to say as much.
"To think you'd find it on such a short notice!"
Izaya glowed as Kadota produced the book from a bag.
"Found it at Kanda Jimbocho."
Izaya's fingers leafed the pages in the guise of a caress. Already he seemed to have adapted to only using his left hand.
"That's something a detour for you. I hope you enjoyed the trip."
It occurred to Kadota that Izaya had requested a particularly difficult to find edition precisely to force Kadota to look for it and thus leave the hospital environs. Kadota was grateful, the change of pace had done him good and he owed it to Izaya. Left to his own devices Kadota would haunt the hospital very much like a haggard shadow.
"It was nice. But why Kafka? Isn't it too depressing for a convalescent?"
"Not at all. Kafka is immensely rewarding."
"I agree but it can bring one down. Especially when you're in the hospital."
Izaya was still admiring the book with its deep red cover.
"Kafka's claustrophobic environments are very involving and make one's present situation always seem much better in comparison."
"That's a good point. Need any help handling it? I mean, with the cast and all."
Kadota could not help but feel awkward whenever he extended his help to Izaya.
"There is no need for that. Did you pick a book for yourself as well?"
"Oh, no. Didn't think of that."
"I have the horrible feeling I'll have to enquire into your eating habits next."
"I'm eating properly…"
Kadota pulled a chair and sat by Izaya's bedside.
"On that note, I might as well remind you to provide me with fresh fish. We can share."
"When my budget allows. By the way, what's with the new outfit?"
Izaya had gone from drab nondescript hospital clothes to silky black pajamas.
"I got Namie-san to get me a greatly needed change in apparel."
"Is that what you normally sleep in?"
Izaya's smile was very slow and deliberate.
"Curious?"
"Just wondering…"
"It is very comfortable and suits me quite well."
"Stylish even in the bedroom, huh."
Izaya's very pale skin glowed softly against the luxurious dark fabric. It fit him perfectly, down to the cuff around Izaya's delicate left wrist, lending him an easy sensual allure as if he were lounging about a handpicked harem instead of recovering from serious injuries. Not even the cast on his right arm dispelled the impression. A very clear mental picture suddenly assaulted Kadota, Izaya waking up, tousled hair, ruffled black pajamas, rubbing sleepy eyes with silky cuffs.
Kadota did not want to consider Izaya's sexiness but this daydream, as cute as it might be, was too much of 'morning after' fantasy.
"Just because there is no one else around is no excuse to let oneself go."
"It looks good on you. I mean,"
"On that subject, I was scouted to join a Butler Café once."
Kadota blinked once. Then twice.
"Are you serious? How did that even happen?"
