Storms of yesterday

by thedollars666

Izaya and Shizuo lose their memories of their romantic relationship and ultimately forget they became anything more then enemies. Forced to confront their feelings; Izaya denies everything, but Shizuo starts to realize that their maybe something more between them. Can their friends help them remember before its too late? Sequel to Winds of Change. RECENTLY REVISED AS OF 13/02/20

6. Hope

Shinra scanned over the conversation from Celty's end, leaning over her shoulder. "Involved in what?"

Celty nearly jumped out of her seat. She typed on her pad and shoved it at him. [You scared me! Don't do that!]

"Sorry. Anything I can help with? You look kind of freaked."

[That's because you just gave me a heart attack!]

Shinra tilted his head with a smile. "How's that?"

[Figure of speech! You know what I mean!]

"Besides that, why were you just biting Kanra's - or rather - Izaya's head off?"

Celty's shoulders slumped. [Something to do with a new drug he's been hearing about. It's being abused among the streets and it's taking away people's memories.]

Shinra sat in the chair next to her. "He asked if I was involved?"

[Not directly. He just asked if you knew anything.]

"Oh Celty! I love how you care so much!"

[Shut up.]

Shinra laughed. "What's the drug called anyway, does Izaya know?"

[Crimson, apparently. He said it's been mentioned on the news, though the stories vary.]

"Crimson huh? You know, come to think of it, I once heard my dad mention something about a drug he'd been working on. Quite sure he said Crimson - or it could have been Cremson - or maybe it was Crimbon? Hmmm..."

[Your dad!?]

Shinra smiled. "It's really not that surprising; but as freaky as my dad is, I doubt he intended to use it to "Attack" people."

[What if it got stolen?]

Shinra nodded with a frown then. "I'll give him a call in the morning."

Celty slumped again, Shinra sympathised. [Guess I better tell Izaya, damn I hate it when he's right.]

Shinra laughed. "He's mostly always right."

[I know.]

Pm to Kanra.

Setton: Shinra thinks his Dad may have been the one to create this new drug you spoke of.

Kanra: You mean, I was right?

Setton: Don't act so shocked. You know you were.

Kanra: On the contrary! I only had a hunch, I only found out about the drug through the news and social media. Honest!

Setton: So you had nothing to do with this at all?

Kanra: Are you asking me if I stole the drug?

Setton: N-no...No, of course not.

Izaya bit his bottom lip, he didn't need their trust, he didn't. But he thought that after almost a year being with Shizuo, that they at least knew that wasn't the kind of shit he pulled any more. Okay, so maybe that was asking for their trust, he would understand if that remark had come from Tom or Simon, maybe, but to hear it from whom was supposed to be a close friend of the family...

Celty watched Kanra log out of the Pm chat and then out of the chat log without saying a word. She slumped, feeling guilt instantly creep up her spine, she hadn't meant for her words to come out like that. Shinra glanced over at her as he came back into the room, sliding the door shut behind him. "Why have you gone sad?"

Celty turned to him. [I feel awful. I said something to Izaya, and he might have taken it the wrong way.]

Shinra tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

[We were talking about the drug. I think I unintentionally made him think that I thought he had something to do with all this.]

Shinra sat down on the opposite chair. "What do you mean, like he stole the drug or something?"

Celty hunched her shoulders. [I didn't say that! He just thought that's what I meant.]

Shinra smiled sadly at her. "I wouldn't worry about it too much, he'll be fine, he probably expected a question like that, given his history."

[That doesn't make me feel any better. After everything that's happened, he deserves our full trust, right?]

Shinra's smile never faded, in fact, it brightened, he grew more in love with Celty every day. "Why don't you go and see him? You can explain things better in person."

[I'll stop by tomorrow. It's getting late now, he should be with Shizuo anyway, if anyone could make him feel better nowadays, it's him.] Without a word, Shinra hugged her tightly, she hesitated to return the hug out of shock. They pulled away and she typed again. [What was that for?]

Shinra kept on smiling. "I just love you."

Celty shivered with embarrassment, Shinra could tell by the way her shadows puffed slowly that she might have been blushing. [I love you too...]

Shizuo knew by the quickness of 'Kanra's' log outs that something had been said that bothered Izaya. There wasn't anything on the chat logs, so he figured it had to have been through a private message. He got up from the couch and stood beside Izaya, he placed his hand on the smaller man's shoulder, it wouldn't be obvious to anyone else, but Shizuo knew when something upset him. "What happened?"

Izaya straightened, instantly replacing his gloomy face with a happy façade. Though it didn't bother him - that Shizuo could read his emotions - that didn't mean he wasn't going to fight him on it. "Nothing, I don't know what you're talking about."

Shizuo snorted, he hated it when Izaya put up his walls, even now, they still had this problem. "Don't do that." Shizuo gently squeezed the raven's shoulder though, letting him know that he was here for him. Izaya watched him walk out of the apartment from the corner of his eye, no doubt he was going for a smoke.

The blond didn't smoke as much as he used to, but Izaya still hated it, though he didn't want to be that partner, one who told him what to do. There were couples out there that argued over the littlest habits, Izaya didn't want to be part of that group. He and Shizuo were different, Izaya liked it that way, it kept their relationship strong. He supposed it was the same for Shinra's relationship. Izaya sighed, when had he become that person, caring about another person's feelings, wanting to make a difference, wanting to try. Never had he wanted to fight so much to keep someone close before.

Izaya shut off his computers just as Shizuo was coming back into the apartment. He managed to smile at him as he stood and walked toward the kitchen. "Hey," Shizuo called after him, Izaya stopped and turned to hear what Shizuo wanted to say. "Celty text."

Izaya cringed. Well fuck. God dammit. "And?" whether it was the poor way in which Izaya was trying to hide the hurt, or that Shizuo had gotten too good at noticing now, it didn't matter. Shizuo walked over to him, Izaya's first instinct was to step back, even if he was hurting, he wasn't going to make it any easier on the other man. Izaya's heart picked up a few beats faster as Shizuo pulled him close into his arms, at first, Izaya didn't move, just allowed Shizuo to hold him while his arms remained stubbornly at his sides.

"Izaya. You are not that person anymore. Don't ever think for a moment that I don't trust you. I don't want you to ever believe that I have doubts. You're different now and that's okay, you can be an asshole and that's okay, not everyone is going to trust you and that's okay too. The important thing to remember is, that I do, so don't get anything into your head, nothing anyone says will make you lose me, ever." Izaya tensed, his hand coming up between them to clutch at Shizuo's chest, a fist gripping the fabric. Tears prickled at his eyelids, his body began to shake, suddenly overcome with emotion. He really didn't deserve this man, this damn caring overprotective man, who seemed to think he was worth something. Tears began to run faintly down his cheeks now, Shizuo just held him tighter.

"Idiot," Izaya whispered as he lightly thudded his other fist against Shizuo's back as that too came around and clutched at him. "Idiot," he repeated, "why'd you have to go and say something like that for."

Shizuo chuckled quietly. "Because it's true."

"I hate you," Izaya replied, only half-heartedly of course.

"Yeh?... well, you're stuck with me anyway."

Izaya smiled through his tears, burying his face so he could hide himself, even though it was probably obvious by now that he was crying. Damn you Shizu-chan. Shizuo's hand came up to rest on the back of Izaya's head.

"It's okay. It's okay, I won't ever leave you, Izaya."

…...

Izaya sat on the couch as he waited for the person on the other end of the phone to answer. He found himself grinning a little, he had been feeling somewhat conflicted since his little break down yesterday. He almost started to doubt who he was for a moment there, but with Shizuo, any nagging doubts always flickered and burnt out in the end.

The person spoke clearly with an almost expectant tone. {Ah, Izaya. I was wondering when I'd receive your call.}

"Is that so Doctor Kishitani."

{With the drug being on the news, it figures you'd be interested in any information I might have on the matter. Of course, if that's what you're calling about.}

Izaya leaned forward on the couch. "Merely out of curiosity then anything."

{Oh?} There was silence for a moment and then – {Oh, of course.} The doctor laughed. {Who'd have thought that it'd be Shizuo of all people to change you. Shinra always said there was good in you somewhere, I always found that hard to believe.}

Izaya's hand tightened around his phone for a moment, he gritted his teeth. It was strange really, Izaya had never been one to anger easily, or hardly ever, Shizuo had brought out such new emotions in him. "I suppose I'm right in thinking that the drug was leaked, or rather, stolen?" Izaya's grin returned when he didn't hear an instant reply. "Something wrong?"

The doctor coughed. {No, I mean, yes, the drug was stolen right from the lab. Of course, I'm no fool, I kept copy samples.}

"What exactly was this drug for?"

{You almost sound like a cop. Have you switched professions too?}

Izaya snorted, in his opinion, being compared to a cop was insulting. "If I were a cop, you'd be out of a job by now." They both knew it was an empty threat but given how much Izaya already knew about Shingen's work, the doctor could not afford to take him lightly. "Not going to tell me, that's fine, you don't have to, but I could be of some help to you, if you don't want everyone knowing that it was you that created the drug. Shinra and Celty already suspect you by the way."

{Are you blackmailing me?}

Izaya huffed a laugh, if Shingen didn't believe in his change of ways, then he was sure as hell going to act like he hadn't. "I wouldn't put it like that, but I suppose it does sound that way, doesn't it?" Izaya smirked.

{Some things never change, it seems.}

Izaya knew it wouldn't take a great deal of convincing; he grimaced at his words though, that same doubt creeping its way back inside him. "Indeed."

{Okay Izaya. Maybe you want the information for self-gain, or maybe you really do want the info, because you want to protect the ones you are likely to care about. Either way, I think you are the best person to know.}

Izaya ignored the feeling of being lied to just so he could be used for his skills as an informant. "Okay." Izaya crossed his leg over his knee as he leaned back on the couch.

Shingen sighed. {Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot I can tell you, the drug was a prototype, you know. It wasn't meant to be used yet, not until it had been thoroughly tested.}

"What was it supposed to do?"

{To tell you the truth, it was designed to erase memory, which was supposed to be the main goal.}

"So it is actually fulfilling its purpose?"

"In a way. I didn't want it to be abused, it wasn't supposed to be used to – attack – people. You see, my wife was the one that came up with the initial idea, it's designed to help those with a serious case of PTSD."

Izaya chuckled. "Are you telling me that you created something to genuinely help people? All because of your second wife?" Izaya found it amusing.

{Like you're one to talk, coming from the one that took a bullet - for Shizuo of all people.}

Izaya narrowed his eyes, he was never going to live that down, then he realised who he was talking to. "How did you-"

{Shinra told me all about it, how much you've changed and how it's made your friendship stronger, he's happy.}

Izaya sighed inwardly. Note to self, kill Shinra. "We're not talking about me. So you designed this drug, let's say for arguments sake, out of the goodness of whatever heart you have. If it was that important, why wasn't it kept secure?"

{It was! I don't know who stole it, or how they did it, but it happened.}

"Camera's?"

Shingen sighed again. {Disabled.}

Izaya snorted. "Some security."

{But everything has a password, they're all different too. No one outside of the lab would have gotten in, not all of my employees have access to all of the rooms."

Izaya gasped in surprise then. "Are you saying it was someone who works for you?"

{Maybe. Sounds more likely doesn't it? But there's another possibility I should consider that you should know. A few days after I finished the prototype, right before word spread about the drug being on the streets. I got a call from the pharmaceutical company.}

Izaya's eyes widened. "Let me guess, they wanted to buy you out. It would make their lives a lot easier of course, now that Shinra refuses to help in any way. I suppose Celty had something to do with that."

{Naturally. Yes, they offered me a large chunk of money in exchange for the prototype and my complete co-operation for the completed drug. Not to mention total credit for my work afterwards.}

"Hmmm. That's a lot of requests, they must have offered you an exceptionally generous sum."

{Yes. As I said, it was my wife's idea, I couldn't let her down.}

Izaya was surprised, for as long as he'd known him, the man was always strange and selfish. Not that he was any different, though their interests were what set their personalities apart. Izaya heard a knock on his door, he stood up with a hand on his hip. "It sounds like you have a spy, if that's what you would call someone like that in your line of work. You have someone who works for you, and pharmaceuticals, how else would the pharmaceutical company even find out about it?"

{I came to the same conclusion myself. How might you go about helping me?}

"You don't need to know how. Just email me a list of all your employees, I can have information on all of them within two weeks."

{Izaya...}

"What, surprised? I am an informant."

{It's not that. You know, this helping someone thing you have going, despite however you may go about it, it suits you.}

Izaya smiled, he wouldn't admit it, but it felt good to be praised. "I can't say the same for you."

Shingen laughed. {Maybe you're right, but some people need change, I suppose.}

Izaya snorted. "You produce that list; I'll see what I can find out."

{It might take me a while, I've had to tighten a lot of security, everything is more discreet now.}

Izaya smirked and then chuckled. "Had you have done that to begin with..." Shingen growled and then hung up, Izaya looked at the phone. "Asshole." Hearing the repeated knock, Izaya wandered over to the door. Living with Shizuo had made him more cautious then he was before, always checking through the spy hole before greeting the one on the other side. He rolled his eyes when he saw that it was Celty.

He opened the door, she stood there for a moment, looking a little embarrassed - or guilty - Izaya couldn't tell. He couldn't read the woman's emotions through her body language like his friend could. Sometimes that annoyed him, he thought he could figure anyone out - Dullahan aside. All of a sudden, he was enveloped in an awkward hug, his arms froze by his sides. When did he become this fucking huggable being? Why did everyone suddenly feel the need to just embrace him all the time? "I know we're suppose to be friends now, but it really doesn't make this any less – weird."

Celty instantly pulled away, her shoulders hunched. [I just - I needed to come here.]

Izaya moved to close the door and then led her to sit on the large couch. "Trouble in paradise?" Izaya smirked teasingly.

[Jerk.] Izaya chuckled. [I needed to come here to apologise. I feel bad.]

Izaya had to think about what she was referring to. "Oh." Oh yeh. Shizuo's words, turning him into a small bundle of emotions yesterday. He hadn't really expected Celty to come all the way here just to apologise, after talking to Shizuo, he felt fine, so he didn't continue to dwell on it.

[I'm sorry. I know how hard you've worked to gain people's trust, especially Shizuo's and mine. I shouldn't have asked you what I did yesterday. It wasn't meant to come out like that.]

Izaya held his hand up with a smile. "It's all right, I should expect that question from time to time. I can't expect everyone to trust me."

[I should! You have my full trust Izaya. You're my friend, it's different now, you're different now.]

Izaya found it easier to hide his emotions around friends and thank god. "It's appreciated. An apology wasn't really necessary though."

[It was. I couldn't sleep, I felt guilty.]

"It's fine, I didn't lose any of my sleep over it." Though Izaya joked, he wouldn't tell Celty that her words did hurt, he could tell that she did feel bad about what she had said. Why else would she come all the way here? I wonder if I should tell her about what I found out from Shingen? Probably not, I know he freaks her out.

[I better go. I'm supposed to get some shopping for dinner tonight, and I still have to pick up a package for a woman at some local hospital.]

Izaya nodded. "It always did strike me as weird, you don't eat, yet you go to all that trouble to cook dinner for Shinra, just to watch him eat it."

Celty stood. [Well, when you're - um, you know.]

Izaya tilted his head with a half smirk. "In love?"

[Well yes. I suppose so. You do crazy things.]

"If cooking for someone you love defines as crazy in your books, I'd hate to know what you'd really do." Izaya laughed, he stood then, placing a hand on her arm. "Seriously though, I'm okay."

She would have smiled if she could, instead, she reached up and lightly closed her hand over his, and then Izaya walked her to the door. I should tell her about the conversation, she and Shinra do have a right toknow. Before Izaya could think about bringing it up, Celty was already out of the door.

Izaya moved into the bedroom, he didn't want to be the one to worry, but this drug had him on edge. From what he could gather, Shingen hadn't developed a cure for his creation, no reversal antidote, and why would he? If it was meant to help PTSD sufferers, why would it need one? Shingen did have prototype copies though, and now that he knew the drug actually worked for its intended purpose, he could in fact create one. He'd need to, the drug was being abused and used on innocent civilians, who knows what could happen if left to fester.

The issue that worried Izaya the most, was if Crimson was forced upon either him, or Shizuo. There were still so many people out there with intentions to hurt them, holding a grudge, more so for Izaya. Who's to say someone wouldn't get the idea to use it on them? Izaya didn't think he could handle it. If someone forced the drug on Shizuo, he wouldn't be able to handle loving someone when all they wanted to do was kill him. Izaya was sure that Shizuo wouldn't be able to remember anything that they had shared.

He couldn't be certain on how the blond would cope, were it the other way around, though he found himself smirking, he'd probably do anything in his power to make him listen, make him see, probably even get him to fall in love all over again - he was just that stubborn. Plus, Izaya could listen without being blinded by rage, unlike Shizuo.

Izaya opened the closet and reached up onto the top shelf, pulling out a video camera. He hadn't really ever used it before, always using his phone or his iPad to record anything he needed. He knelt and pulled out the tripod stand from behind his clothes. It probably wasn't necessary, but he felt more at ease with the reassurance that if something were to happen, they had some back up. Although, there was a little nagging feeling at the back of his head, that if something did happen, would this idea even work? He tried to think back to how he and Shizuo used to be, he found it unlikely either one would believe it if they were to be shown back then. Izaya shook his head, it didn't matter, he was going to do it anyway, he couldn't think of anything else to do until Shingen got that list for him.

Izaya was just finishing setting up the camera as Shizuo walked through the door. Izaya turned to him, giving him a half wave and then turned back to adjusting the tripod. Shizuo toed off his shoes and then walked toward the couch, he raised his eyebrow questioningly. "Oi, I know you said to Shinra about recording our next - you know - but I thought that was a joke."

Izaya stiffened, he snorted and turned to glare at him - tried to glare - because he couldn't help the blush that begun to spread over his cheeks. "Shut up."

Shizuo chuckled as he walked around the couch and flopped onto the soft cushions. "All right, so what's with the camera then?" Izaya clicked his tongue, turning away from the blond, it was always him to embarrass Shizuo, not the other way around. Shizuo smirked and got up, Izaya jumped a little when he felt Shizuo's arms wrap around his waist. "What's with you?"

"Idiot." Izaya couldn't even look at him.

Shizuo laughed then, realising his previous comment seemed to have caught his lover off guard. "Did that fluster you?"

Izaya elbowed him in the ribs, almost playfully, Shizuo merely grunted but continued to laugh. "Just shut up."

"Okay. So are you gonna tell me what this is really for?"

Izaya turned and pushed him back onto the couch, he let out a small squeak when Shizuo pulled him with him. He didn't have a choice but to straddle Shizuo's lap, his hands resting on either side of his head. "Shizu-chan..."

"Hey." Izaya leaned down to capture his lips in a hard desperate kiss, he could never resist Shizuo's subtle advances. He moaned when hands found their way to his slender hips and moved down to grab him from behind. "Izaya..." Shizuo groaned into their kiss causing Izaya to slowly grind against him. Shizuo bucked lightly in response.

Izaya's hands moved down Shizuo's chest and scraped his short nails down the fabric until they reached underneath the hem to start tugging the item off.

The door suddenly opened and Namie's voice rang out across the apartment. "I forgot my bag-"

"Shit." Shizuo panicked and Izaya yelped when he was thrown from the couch.

Namie looked over when she heard a thud, she raised an eyebrow, hand on her hip. From her angle, she could only see Shizuo, she grimaced in disgust. "Haven't you ever heard of privacy within the bedroom?"

Shizuo could only assume what she thought he was doing, though he didn't dare stand up right now. He looked down at the floor, Izaya was glaring at him, Shizuo wanted to laugh at him but he bit his lip, keeping from doing so. Izaya then pushed himself up and stood, rubbing the back of his head that had collided with the coffee-table. He looked up to see Namie, who now had a look of shock and embarrassment on her face. "Get that thought out of your head. It's not what it looks like," Izaya said as he continued to rub his sore head.

Shizuo raised an eyebrow at him as if to question him, and then he muttered, "It's not?" Izaya kicked him in the shin.

"I don't want to know. It's your apartment. Just do me a favour and try to at least make it to the bedroom, I really would rather not walk in on you two."

Izaya gave her a sideward smirk. "Don't forget your belongings and you wouldn't have that problem." Namie bared her teeth at him and then stormed out quickly with her bag. Izaya laughed as the door slammed shut. "I don't think we'll see her for a couple of days."

Shizuo leaned forward and then watched as Izaya flinched when he touched the back of his head. "Sorry about that."

Izaya rolled his eyes, he looked at his fingers, well, at least he wasn't bleeding. Though there was no doubt a little bruise was forming. "Right, your face looked very sympathetic just now."

Shizuo huffed a laugh. "I panicked."

"Just like you panicked at the hospital when Shinra walked in on us?"

Shizuo laughed then. "Automatic reaction."

"To give your lover concussion?"

Shizuo rolled his eyes. "Don't be dramatic, you're fine." Izaya pouted and then picked up a pillow, smacking Shizuo over the head with it. "Mood gone?"

Izaya gave him a smirk. "A little." Izaya glanced down. "I'm not the one with the discomfort right now." Shizuo growled low in his throat. "This camera thing is important though."

Shizuo stood up. "You still haven't told me why." Shizuo shuffled his feet. "I'll get a shower, if we're not going to-"

"Naww, don't worry, we'll play later."

Shizuo shook his head and shoved him good naturedly as he passed him. Izaya smiled and then flopped onto the couch, flinching again when his fingers brushed against his bruised head. "Stupid protozoan."

"I heard that!"

Izaya laughed. "With love intended Shizu-chan!"

"Sure it was!"

…...

Izaya moaned against Shizuo's lips as the blond tweaked his nipples from underneath his shirt. Shizuo then slid his hands down so that he could tug at the fabric, Izaya shifted up and quickly raised his arms and the shirt was removed. He flopped back against the covers, grinning as Shizuo removed his own shirt, Izaya's hands instantly sliding up onto hard muscled abs. Shizuo straddled him and Izaya's hands wound their way around to his back as Shizuo leaned down, pressing his lips back to his lover's. Shizuo began to grind himself against Izaya's small frame, Izaya bucked lightly, moaning louder.

He trailed kisses down Izaya's neck and sucked against the skin where his pulse throbbed, gently nipping and then sucking again at raised skin. Great, a hickey. Izaya was irritated, though he hardly had time to think about it, as Shizuo's skilful tongue ran rings around his already hardened nipples. Damn you and your hot mouth Shizu-chan. Shizuo lowered and began to undo Izaya's belt and then slid his pants down, Izaya lightly kicked out and lifted his legs to aid Shizuo in removing them from his ankles. Shizuo almost grinned down as Izaya's cock throbbed under the fabric of his boxers.

He closed his mouth over the top with a little hum, Izaya could feel hot air surrounding him in that instance and he fisted his hands underneath the pillows. Izaya opened his eyes when one of his hands brushed against something, he pulled out the item and raised an eyebrow, shifting up onto his elbow. Shizuo didn't seem to notice his shift of weight, Izaya almost lost his thoughts when he felt Shizuo's tongue lick against him through the fabric. "Um...Shizu-chan..." Izaya tried to focus on what he wanted to say, he really wished the blond didn't distract him so much, his damn lover had gotten way too good at this.

"Izaya..." Shizuo hummed his name against him and for a moment, Izaya had to clench his eyes shut, letting out a slow moan-filled breath.

When Shizuo gave him a breather, he was able to come back to his senses, Izaya pulled a little at Shizuo's hair to get his attention. "Oi, Shizuo."

Hearing his name pronounced correctly drew him away. Shizuo looked at him and he instantly blushed when he saw what Izaya had found.

"What's this?"

Shizuo sat back on his heels, feeling like he was being scolded all of a sudden. "Yeh...I um, picked them up yesterday... it's - it's something new... thought we might give it a try... maybe."

Izaya tilted his head, Shizuo didn't look at him, he was clearly embarrassed. "I'm up for trying something new Shizu-chan-" Izaya looked at the item and grimaced. "Does it have to be handcuffs?"

Shizuo rested his hands on his thighs, unsure what to do at this point, it was rare for the two to stop and just have a conversation in the middle of their sexual activities. "They had rope, but... I thought that might hurt... you know, rope burns."

Izaya smiled briefly. He really is an innocent idiot. Izaya sat up, Shizuo had forgotten something about his past, and he hated to have to remind him. "Shizu-chan I - remember when we first came together?" Izaya cringed and then grinned. "Poor choice of words. Sorry about that."

Shizuo chuckled. "I know what you mean, our first time right?" Izaya watched as Shizuo blanched in recognition, something he'd remembered. "Oh." Shizuo covered his face with one hand, his other clenching into a fist. "Shit. Aoki. Damn it, Izaya I'm sorry, I forgot all about that."

Izaya smiled, leaning up and moving Shizuo's hand away from his face. "I know that you wouldn't ever do that to me, leave me like that... but still."

"I didn't think. For some reason, I just wanted to try something new, for you. I know you like - different stuff."

Izaya chuckled. "Was that just a lucky guess?"

Shizuo huffed a laugh in response. "You are more open about our sexual – stuff."

Izaya grinned, that was true. "I'm not mad, you just had to ask me."

Shizuo nodded. "Sorry."

Even though Shizuo was feeling guilty, Izaya could also see a little disappointment in his eyes, who knew his shy lover was a little kinky. Izaya then had an idea. While he was against the idea of handcuffs, he wasn't against the whole bondage idea altogether. If that was what Shizuo was implying here, nothing drastic obviously, but a little spike to their pleasure. He threw the handcuffs across the room and then reached into the top draw of their nightstand. He picked out a black ball and grinned. "We can use socks. If you want."

Shizuo blinked at him in surprise. "W-what? You mean you-"

"I'm not against the idea at all. No handcuffs, but we can use socks."

A sudden rush of excitement shot up Shizuo's spine for a moment, he shook the images from his head and leaned down to kiss Izaya's lips. "You sure?"

"Just don't cut off my circulation," Izaya joked.

Shizuo chuckled and then took the ball from Izaya's hand, unravelling them. He slid one of Izaya's hands gently toward the bars of the headboard, the informant watched him quietly tie his wrist to the bar and then Shizuo switched angles and repeated the action with his other wrist. "Okay?" Shizuo looked down at him.

"I'm in your hands now, Shizu-chan." That statement elicited a small spark of tension within him, but he didn't want to back out.

"You sure about this?" Izaya nodded, trying to hide his worry, he trusted Shizuo - but they had never done something like this before, whenever they had sex, they'd always had full control, over their actions. Now, Izaya could do nothing more than leave himself in Shizuo's complete control. He was just happy that he could still move his legs. Shizuo brought his lips back to his, for a moment, Izaya tugged against the socks. Shizuo trailed kisses down in his neck and chest, repeating the action from before, he could feel the informant beneath him tense the lower he got. "Relax, I won't hurt you."

Izaya took a deep breath, he knew that, he should know that. It was just a little - different, Izaya berated himself, he wasn't even blindfolded. Realising he hadn't answered him yet, he said, "I know." Despite being worried, he throbbed with need, it was a mixture of anxiousness and excitement. As Shizuo's mouth neared his covered member, the excitement began to take over.

Shizuo felt Izaya's tension fade, he was glad, he wasn't willing to continue if he noticed any discomfort from the other man. Shizuo tugged the boxers down and slid them off from Izaya's ankles. Izaya sighed as his restriction was freed. Shizuo curled his hand around him and slowly began to lick the head. Izaya instantly bucked, trying to fist fabric, momentarily forgetting about his bound hands. Shizuo's mouth closed over the head and sucked gently, Izaya whimpered as he took a shuddery breath. Shizuo lowered his mouth, taking Izaya's cock halfway and then back up, he circled his tongue, dipping the tip against the leaking head. Izaya's eyes rolled back, gasping with pleasurable moans.

"Fuck..." Izaya had no choice but to grip the bars of the headboard as Shizuo continued going down on him with skilful practised speed. He remembered when Shizuo first went down on him, how awkward it was for both of them. Now, damn... Shizuo could turn him into mush with just his mouth, when it came to the bedroom, the blond was a very fast learner. He'd pay attention to all the things that got Izaya's blood going, the signs and body language that indicated what caused reactions.

Izaya almost felt bad that he couldn't return the favour, it just wasn't his style, but right now - he really didn't care. Izaya moaned, bucking his hips when Shizuo picked up his speed, swirling his tongue and sucking harder. "Shit! ah..." Izaya's wrists pulled against his bonds as he hissed. "Yessss..." when Shizuo grazed his teeth slowly up from the bottom, Izaya gasped as he arched his back. When Shizuo hummed, Izaya couldn't help but let out a loud strangled cry of pleasure. "S-shizu-chan...make me come..." Shizuo ignored this request for a moment and as he lowered his mouth down on him again, he let his free hand slither down and Izaya dug his heel into the mattress. "Wait. Lube, shizu-chan..."

Shizuo stopped instantly. "Shit, yeah. Sorry."

Izaya closed his eyes, using the opportunity to catch his breath, he was so close, so damn close. "Bastard..."

Shizuo stared up at him as he opened the cap. "What?" when he realised what Izaya meant, he chuckled a little. Oh. "I wanna come with you."

Izaya opened his eyes, half lidded. "Then hurry up already. You can't just leave me like this, it's cruel." Shizuo could tell Izaya was joking with him, though his eyes bore into him hungrily. Izaya then tugged at the material that bound his hands. "You know, I could easily get out of these."

Shizuo smiled knowingly at him. "I know."

Izaya smiled back, Shizuo had obviously thought it through, they were tight enough to work, but loose enough encase he felt too restricted, that he could easily break free if he needed to. This man was too good to him, he wondered how he'd ever gotten such an incredible partner by his side.

Shizuo moved between Izaya's thighs, grasping his cock with one hand and, with his other, slid two digits into his entrance. Izaya's head snapped back, vaguely remembering hitting his head the first time Shizuo surprised him like this, he smiled inwardly at the memory. Izaya gasped loudly as Shizuo's fingers slid inside him, his other hand unmoving around his cock. Was he deliberately stopping his release? Asshole. A third finger was added and Izaya felt them curl against him, barely scraping against his sensitive spot. "Ngh...fuuuck." Shizuo stretched him, panting a little himself, his cock ached so much to be inside.

"Izaya..."

Izaya knew it was a question, whether Shizuo knew he did or not, the blond always asked, always making sure he was ready, it was sweetly strange in a way. "I want you... now." Shizuo removed his fingers and positioned himself, Izaya's legs wrapped around his back, it was the best he could do since his hands were out of commission. Shizuo pushed into him, slowly, always slowly. Sometimes, Izaya hoped he'd be a little rougher, just for that extra friction, but he wouldn't dare tell him that. He knew Shizuo wouldn't go for it, merely because of his strength, he was always careful, they both knew it was dangerous to exceed each other's expectations. If Shizuo lost control because he wasn't focused enough, it would most likely be Izaya that would pay the price.

Izaya lost his train of thought as Shizuo pushed deeper inside him, making his back arch, Shizuo pounded against him in that instance. Izaya grunted and curled his hands around the fabric, evidently tightening the bonds, but he didn't care, if he arched any higher at the same time as Shizuo's thrusts, he was going to snap him in half. Izaya leaned forward slightly, moaning again when Shizuo thrust up into him deeply slow. "Goooood."

Shizuo panted. "Are you - are you okay?"

Oh, you know, just about nearly snapped my spine, but I'm good. Izaya was irritated with his stupidity, Shizuo would have a heart attack if he knew that had almost just happened. Izaya began to feel the pressure on his wrists, he needed to level them up somehow. "Shizu-chan...ngh...fuck..." Izaya could barely focus his words, Shizuo was relentless, he pushed himself deeper with harder thrusts. Izaya gasped as Shizuo picked up his speed, pounding into him with full hard movements. Of all the times, he picks now to become rougher.

Izaya winced as Shizuo's hands gripped his hips, his fingers digging into his skin. Shit. "Shizu-chan...let up a little." Izaya's voice was quiet, Shizuo wouldn't be able to hear him, he wasn't sure what to do, there was pain, but there was also constant pleasure. Izaya bit his lip, curling his hands tighter around the fabric, he was pretty sure he was stopping some of the blood flowing through his wrists by now. Izaya moaned loudly when Shizuo finally hit his spot, though he could barely tell which was more prominent, the pain in his hips or the pleasure inside him. A jolt of pleasure swept over them both when Shizuo pounded his spot, once, twice...three times... four. "Fuuuuck! Coming!"

Shizuo pushed harder against him, panting heavily, he was close...so close. "Come for me... Izaya."

"Ngh...oh god..." Izaya's orgasm exploded, blinding white flashed across his vision as he released himself...finally. "Ah..." as he rode out his orgasm, Shizuo continued his pace until he himself came hard inside. Izaya let out a louder hiss then he intended to, as Shizuo's fingers gripped him tighter for a few moments as he twitched and thrust until he was sated. Izaya sighed as Shizuo's tension faded, removing the pressure from his hips, Izaya relaxed his hands too, the feeling coming back into his wrists. Shizuo almost collapsed on him, sheer exhaustion taking over, he pulled out gently and moved to the right. He flopped onto his back, trying to catch his breath.

Izaya took heavy breaths himself, that was certainly one of their more extreme interactions. He didn't regret it though, he never did. Izaya looked down at himself, he grimaced slightly, he really didn't want Shizuo to see that. "Shizu-chan, wanna untie me now?" he chuckled.

Shizuo took a couple of deeper breaths and huffed out a laugh. "Yeh sure." he leaned up, untying the first wrist, but he suddenly froze. "Izaya..."

Izaya thought he was probably sporting a little burn on his wrists. "It's only friction. My fault, I should have used the bars." Shizuo pulled his hands back, Izaya used his now free hand to sit himself up, subtly covering himself up at the waist. He looked over at Shizuo, wondering what had him so freaked. Izaya peered at Shizuo's hands and then cringed. Shit.

There were dark spots that decorated under his short nails, Shizuo couldn't be sure, but it looked like scrapings of skin there. "Izaya... what did I do?"

Izaya saw horror etch upon his face, he winced as he moved to comfort him, he realised he couldn't move any further when his left hand tugged him back. He turned around with a light hiss at the pull of heavy bruises and untied his other wrist. He then sat up, kneeling in front of Shizuo, pulling him closer. "It's okay, I'm okay, see?"

Shizuo shook against him. "Why didn't you say something...?"

"I tried to." Izaya gave him a sideward smirk. "Pleasure overcame my rational thoughts." Izaya laughed.

Shizuo growled. "It's not funny. Damn it I – I shouldn't lose control. I never lose control, not when we're - not even when we're arguing, not around you."

Izaya rolled his eyes, he then frowned. "Shizu-chan you used to throw fucking vending machines at me, vending machines! Benches, and trash cans...and-"

"Shut up, I get it. That's not the same, it hasn't been for a long time."

Izaya sighed. "My point is, I'm not as fragile as you think. If I can handle that kind of violence. I can handle rough sex in the bedroom."

Shizuo snorted at the crudeness. "I just - I hate this. I hate - hurting you."

Izaya's face softened as Shizuo blinked back tears, he'd never really seen Shizuo cry before, not really. He grazed a thumb over his cheek and kissed him. "They're just bruises, it shows how passionate we've become. Nothing to get angry about."

Shizuo sighed. "Sorry." Izaya kissed him again. "Let me see..."

Izaya huffed and moved back against the pillows, Shizuo took the hint and pulled back the cover. Dark purple fingerprints painted Izaya's hips, with red grazed fingernail marks within their depths. When he saw his fingers, he feared worse, though what he did see did little to help his guilt. "They're tender now, but give them a soak in the tub, I'll be fine."

Shizuo gently ran his fingertips over them, it stung a little, but Izaya let him. "If this happens again-"

"Stop worrying, don't apologise. It was rather-" Izaya grinned. "Erotic."

Shizuo laughed. "Well thanks. But I was going to say - if this happens again, feel free to punch me - or whatever."

"Noted. Though I don't see how that was possible this time."

"Oh, right. Ya could have kicked me off at least."

Izaya laughed. "Not a chance, I was too close...heh."

Shizuo rolled his eyes, trust Izaya to pick pain just to get satisfaction. "Sadist."

Izaya shrugged, it was true, but it wasn't like he really wanted the pain, he just wanted the pleasure more, so he had to work with both. That hardly made him a sadist, right? "Like you wouldn't do the same thing." Izaya reached up and grazed his nails down Shizuo's back with just enough pressure to leave faint marks. Shizuo arched with a low growl, Izaya raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

Shizuo looked at him lustfully. "What?"

"Your sex drive is relentless you know that?"

Shizuo chuckled and moved to capture his lips, Izaya touched his fingers to them with a grin. "Play with yourself, I'm sore." Izaya moved off the bed, ignoring the stinging of his hips and the pleasant tingling in his ass. "Though you're more than welcome to join me in the tub." Shizuo glared at his retreating form, ignoring the light throbbing between his thighs.

"Sadist."

"Love you too Shizu-chan!" Izaya then shut the door behind him.

Shizuo's frown disappeared and he let out a low chuckle. "Damn it, I love that idiot." He quietly got off the bed and began to change their sheets. Izaya had a thing about that. Unless they instantly fell asleep afterwards, he liked clean sheets every time.

…...

Izaya stirred awake, rolling over onto his back, memories of last night flickered in his mind and he smiled. He moved his hand to the other side of the bed and shifted onto his elbow. He looked over when he realised the space was empty, he sat up and stretched, combing a hand through his bed hair. He swung his legs over the bed and removed the covers to inspect his bruises. They were fading already, though still dark.

Izaya shrugged, they didn't hurt as much as last night, the soak in the bath had eased the swelling. "He better not be sulking," Izaya muttered to himself as he grabbed his towel from the heater and made his way into the bathroom. The room was already full of steam, which meant that Shizuo had already showered and was ready for the day. "Something has him determined today." He shut the door and then noticed the little message on the mirror. 'I love you xxx.' "Tsk. What a sap he is."

After getting ready himself, he began checking his phone for messages, flicking through the dozen newest ones that always seemed to fill his phone through the night. It was then he noticed the date. "Oh-" Izaya smirked, "that explains a lot."

Izaya walked into the kitchen and poured himself a tea, he heard the door open and then shut again. Shizuo walked into the kitchen, Izaya grinned at him. "Where'd you get off to in such a hurry?"

Shizuo hunched his shoulders and muttered, "Nowhere."

"Uh-huh sure, just needed a smoke that badly that early?"

Shizuo clenched his fist. "Yes."

Izaya raised an eyebrow, he found it funny, Shizuo sucked at discretion. "If you say so."

Shizuo hadn't said a word since he'd returned, and by the time they were heading out to leave, Izaya decided to let him know that he'd figured it out.

Izaya leaned up and kissed Shizuo hard on the lips as he neared the door. Shizuo moaned against him and then they pulled away. "What was that for?"

Izaya grinned. "Happy Anniversary."

[Shinra! How could you forget about something like this!?]

"I don't know! I really don't! You know me, something this important, I wouldn't have-"

[It doesn't matter right now. The important thing is showing this to Shizuo and Izaya.]

Mairu tilted her head in thought. "They're gonna have to see this at the same time."

Kururi looked over at her sister. "How do we get them both in the same room without them trying to kill each other?"

Mairu folded her arms. "We send them a message telling them both they're needed at Shinra's apartment, of course, without letting them know that the other will be here."

"They're still going to kill each other."

"They'll just have to be civil. At least long enough to watch the disc."

Shinra smiled nervously. "Did you just say – Shizuo, Izaya, and civil, in the same sentence?"

Mairu pouted. "They used to be! We just have to get them back." Mairu lowered her head. "We have to try."

Celty elbowed Shinra in the chest and then knelt on the floor beside the girls. [We will.]

Shinra nodded, he hadn't meant to upset them. "I just meant that after their last encounter, the only thing stopping Shizuo from pounding Izaya to a pulp, was that he was already injured." Celty turned to him, as if to glare. "Oh, and Celty of course, their hero." Shinra smiled.

[Idiot.] She then turned back to the girls. [How are we going to get them both here?]

Mairu tapped her chin in thought. "You're good friends with Shizuo anyway - regardless of memory loss, so maybe you could tell him you need his advice and that you wanna talk, maybe you could tell a little white lie, tell him you're in trouble or something - he'll come running."

[I don't want to lie to him!]

"He needs to be here, so if the advice thing doesn't work right away, then you're going to have to."

[Right. What about Izaya?]

"Hmmm, he'll be harder to convince, Shinra is probably the only one he'll listen to."

Shinra groaned. "He didn't listen to me before he lost his memory."

Mairu shrugged. "Tell him the same thing, that you need his help, or you're in trouble."

"He knows I won't ask for his help."

"Then tell him you need to check up on him, that you wanna make sure his injuries are healed."

Shinra tilted his head. "Why can't you get him here? You are his sister."

"You're Izaya's best friend, you know that he won't come here if I text him, me being here will really seem suspicious."

Shinra sighed, she had a point, before he and Shizuo got together, Izaya and his sisters weren't that close. "I'm sure I'll think of something."

"Good."

…...

Celty sighed as she sent out a text to Shizuo.

'Shizuo. Can we talk? I need your advice.'

Celty thought he might be working late, so she was surprised when he text back so quickly.

'What's up? Are you okay?'

'Just feeling low, Shinra's at a job, so I can't talk to him.'

'Is this about your head?'

'No, can you come over?'

'Sure. I guess, are you sure you're okay? You don't wanna meet me outside?'

'I'd rather just stay here. If you don't mind.'

'Not at all. I'm kind of pissed off anyways, so we can rant together.'

'Thanks.'

'See you in ten.'

Celty slumped, and then showed Mairu her phone. [He's on his way.]

Mairu clapped her hands in excitement. "Great!"

"Good work," Kururi told her.

[I hate lying to people.]

"Once he remembers everything, he'll thank you."

[You really think this will help get their memories back?]

Mairu shrugged. "We might as well give it a shot."

Kururi looked over, peering into the glass sliding door of the other room and said, "I wonder how much luck Shinra is having at convincing Izaya to come here?" Judging from the desperate look that was crossing the man's features, she'd have to guess that he wasn't having the best of luck.

"He better get his butt over here, it makes more sense for them to see the disc together."

[What if they start to fight?]

"You can always just wrap them both up in shadow, bound their limbs so neither one can try."

Shinra came out of the room, he looked tired. "Remind me again why I'm friends with that man?" he slumped onto the couch.

[Is he coming?]

"It took some convincing. He's always suspicious, even of me sometimes, we've been friends for years, you'd think he'd trust me a little."

[Given everything that's happened, he has a right to be suspicious.]

"Suspicious or not. I know Izaya doesn't dismiss the impossible at first glance," said Mairu.

Shinra nodded. "That's true actually, he likes the idea of mystery; of mythology and cryptic mishaps."

Kururi then spoke, her voice laced with doubt, "Shizuo on the other hand-"

Mairu sighed and then grinned. "He'll be hypocritical, what with his unnatural superhuman strength. One of his best friends is a headless mythological fairy who rides around on an equally headless horse."

[Hey!]

Mairu looked over at her. "True no?"

[Well. Yes. Still, easy.]

Shinra chuckled. "We'll just have to wait to see what happens when they both get here."

"Ugh. The things we do for those two idiots." Mairu was nervous, she didn't want her brother getting hurt any more than he had previously been. Damn, it was so much easier when they didn't care so much.

…...

Shizuo walked up the steps of his friend's apartment, he was worried about her. She sounded sad; in the way she was texting him. He felt anger throbbing through him, whoever pissed off his friend, needed to die. He pushed his hands into his pockets to try and quell his shaking fists. It could be she was just bored and lonely, she had said Shinra was out on a job, maybe she just wanted to hangout, though she had said she needed his advice. "I wonder what's up," he muttered to himself as he opened the door that led to the corridor toward the apartment.

A dramatic sigh caught his ears. "Shinra, you can quit your whining. I'm here like you asked."

Shizuo froze, he was looking at the floor when he heard the voice, but there was no mistaking that tone. Shizuo gritted his teeth as he glared up, only to confirm his suspicions correct. "Izaya!"

Izaya's eyes widened in surprise when he turned around, his hand clenching around the handle of the door. Crap. What the hell is he doing here? Izaya wouldn't show any evidence of his shock to Shizuo, his face formed into a grin. "Shizu-chan. What are you doing off your leash?"

Shizuo clenched his fists, stalking up to his enemy with long strides. Oh he was so going to kill him. "Izaya! You fucking louse! Just what the hell are you doing here!?"

Izaya's grip didn't loosen on the handle, he discreetly tried to open the door, hoping they'd left it unlocked. No such luck on his part. If I can quickly skim past him, I can get away. Izaya's heartbeat quickened as Shizuo darted toward him.

"You're dead!"

Izaya ducked Shizuo's punch, he was even surprised that he'd pulled that off, this was a narrow corridor. His hand reached into his pocket as he knelt and quickly side stepped to avoid colliding with the stronger man. As he flicked his blade outwards, Shizuo turned to him, Izaya span around to slice his chest. They were too close to one another for either of their efforts to work in their favour. Shizuo tried to jump back from Izaya's knife, he was caught in the shoulder, he hissed but at the same time grabbed a fist full of Izaya's shirt and they ended up toppling. Izaya fell forward and as Shizuo's back hit the ground, Izaya gained his advantage by placing a surprisingly strong hold against Shizuo's arm with one of his knees, the other lay at his right, trapping his hip as he held the knife at Shizuo's throat. Shizuo bared his teeth up at him, hatred burning in his auburn eyes. "What now brute?"

Shizuo growled, he dare not move his other arm, with the blade so close to his throat, he wasn't that stupid. "Flea, you better use that knife of yours, before I beat you to a pulp."

Izaya smirked down at him. "I hardly see how you're in a position to do that right now."

Shizuo grinned, remembering how his words had caused a reaction in the raven the last time they were here. "You underestimate me too much, monster." Izaya's smirk faded, confirming the blond's thoughts.

"We both know who the real monster is here. You ought to be locked up, beast."

"That struck a nerve, flea."

Izaya pushed the blade a little bit harder to Shizuo's skin, causing the blond to still any movement. "Don't test me monster. I'll gut you like a fish."

Shizuo found himself smirking. "Do it then. I know you won't, because you're a coward Izaya, never willing to get your hands dirty. Always someone else to do that for you."

Izaya narrowed his eyes, Shizuo hadn't seen that look on him before, it was strangely unnerving. For some reason though, it didn't make him feel good, though he could hardly explain why the hell that was. "Flea-"

"Izaya," the informant gritted out, never once loosening his hold.

Shizuo snorted. "You're a flea. That's all you'll ever be. Blood sucking parasite that no one ever wants around."

Izaya lowered himself, putting pressure on Shizuo's arm as his face closed the gap between them. "Shizu-chan. I hope you know that is a bigger insult right? You know as well as I do that it's reserved for a close friend or, lover. I call you that because you'll never hear that honorific from either one of those, no one could ever love a monster like you. At the very least, I'm human."

Shizuo growled low in his throat, a twist of hurt aching its way into his heart. He grew angry and in a blinding flash, knife to his throat or not, Shizuo threw his head up and clocked Izaya in the face as hard as he could.

"Fuck!" off guard by the sudden pain, Izaya dropped his knife, Shizuo used the distraction and pushed up, Izaya toppled backwards.

Shizuo growled and now towered over the smaller man, leaning down, a hand wrapping around his throat. For the first time, Izaya looked at him with fear, a hand grabbing at Shizuo's wrist while the other felt around for his knife. It was odd, Shizuo hadn't realised it until now, that Izaya was the only one, that truly never showed any fear toward him. He didn't know he was grateful for at least that, it was the only thing he ever liked about him, though he never admitted that aloud to anyone, barely even himself.

Now, he didn't even have that, seeing the evidence of that shown in Izaya's face. It made him angry, his hold tightening ever so slightly on the man's neck, angry with himself. He thought he'd be glad, that the cocky informant was finally afraid of him. It was the exact opposite though, intentional or not, it was the only thing Izaya had ever given him, acknowledgement that not everyone was afraid of him, regardless of being constantly referred to as a monster.

Shizuo raised his fist, feeling anything toward Izaya other than hate pissed him off the most. Izaya clenched his eyes shut, where the hell was his knife? It couldn't have fallen far. Shit. "Shizu-chan…."

Shizuo's eyes widened and he hesitated. "Izaya!"

Those occupying the apartment heard the bellow of a familiar voice as they looked toward the door. Shinra smiled nervously. "Was that-"

Celty got up from the couch and ran toward the door. The others followed her.

Izaya squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the impact.

Mairu gasped and screamed, "Shizuo don't!"

Shizuo stopped inches from Izaya's face, he turned to see his friends at the door, wait... why was - "Mairu? Kururi?"

Mairu's eyes clouded. "Don't hurt him..."

Izaya couldn't turn his head, but there was no doubt in his mind that his sisters were there. Why? Since when did they care what happened to him?

Shizuo growled, it wouldn't do him any good to hurt Izaya now, especially while everyone was staring at him, and in front of his younger sisters. He looked at them, something akin to worry that he'd never seen them express for their brother etched on their faces. "Damn it!" Izaya tensed as Shizuo's fist came down, but again, there was no pain. Instead, he heard a crack against the ground beside his head. Shizuo had controlled himself enough to hit the floor and for once, Izaya wasn't going to tease him about it.

Izaya breathed heavily, eyes wide in shock, Shizuo had refrained from hitting him. He felt Shizuo's hand loosen around his neck, and gasped. Shizuo stepped off him quickly as though he had been burnt. Izaya pushed up onto his elbows, he looked to his right, ah, there was his flick blade. He was about to reach for it when someone else spoke. "Don't even think about it!" that was Shinra. Izaya looked over at him, the man knew him too well.

Shizuo clenched his fists, how the hell had he managed to restrain himself? When it came to Izaya, hardly anyone was able to get through to him, not even Celty. Then again, he did have a soft spot for Izaya's sisters, he would even consider them as friends, which was ironic, since he loathed their brother. He watched Izaya get to his feet, glaring at him but unable to shake the image of his fearful look from a moment ago. "Izaya," he managed to grit out.

Izaya stared at him, the fear was gone, replaced by the remaining surprise that crossed his face when Shizuo slammed his fist against the floor instead of his face. Shizuo wasn't sure he liked that look much better. "Shizuo." Izaya couldn't hold his shock. "You finally manage to catch me off guard, yet you - you didn't take the opportunity-" Izaya frowned. "Why? Are you evolving?" Izaya grinned for a moment before it flickered back to confusion. "Don't tell me it's because my sisters are here, we both know they couldn't give a damn what happens to me, so why?"

Mairu was about to say something, but Kururi stopped her, she could tell that Izaya's words had hurt. Kururi grasped her hand and Mairu looked away for a moment, before frowning back at them.

Shizuo snorted. "Don't go getting the wrong idea flea. I can't stand the sight of you but beating you now in front of mutual friends wouldn't do me any good, and I'll be damned if I ever let you win."

Izaya grinned darkly. "Maybe you have a point." Izaya bent down and pocketed his knife. "Though I'd hardly call them mutual friends."

"Hey!" Shinra barked in a hurtful tone.

Izaya chuckled. "Who knew the monster could be so civil."

Shizuo clenched his fists again, but seeing the purple mark forming on Izaya's neck, reminded him just how close he'd been to killing him. He always said that though, always threatening to kill him, but when he'd been given the chance - he couldn't understand why he'd hesitated, even for a second, it couldn't have just been because of the twins.

"Believe it or not flea, as much as you think I have a one-track mind when it comes to you. I wasn't here to fight with you, I didn't even know you were here."

Izaya rolled his eyes, like he really believed that. Then again - Izaya clicked his tongue. "I was only in Ikebukuro to see Shinra, since his pathetic desperate whining was giving me a headache. I had no intention to seek you out to annoy you, this time."

Shizuo glared at him, when did Izaya ever tell the truth? "Don't be surprised when I say that you're full of shit. I was only here because Celty said she needed someone to talk to and that she wanted company because-" then it dawned on him, he stared over at Shinra. "Shinra was out on a job..." Shizuo looked pissed now.

Celty looked at him guiltily, Shinra hid behind her, not willing to look Izaya in the face as the informant took a step forward. "Funny, that's exactly what Shinra told me. If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were trying to set us up."

Shizuo snorted. "You'd know all about that wouldn't you flea?"

Anger flashed through him, Izaya turned without thinking and landed a well-placed punch against Shizuo's jaw. Shizuo tilted his head, grinning when he heard something crack. Izaya's eyes widen and he grimaced as he crouched, holding his hand to his body. "Fuck!" Izaya winced as he tried to flex his fingers, he glared when he heard Shizuo laugh, the bastard was laughing. "I hate you."

"Now that, was funny. Looks like I hurt you after all, and I didn't have to lift a finger."

Izaya stepped back from him, still cradling his hand. "Protozoan."

"If it makes you feel any better, your punch was pretty impressive, had I have been, normal, I might have been floored."

"Fuck you. I don't need any reconciliation from the likes of you."

Shizuo's laugh had died off, but he was still chuckling. "Drink more milk, or maybe if you weren't so scrawny, your fingers wouldn't have broken."

Shinra sighed. "All right that's enough you two. We don't want to have to lug you both to the hospital." Shinra placed a hand on Izaya's shoulder and the informant pulled angrily away from him.

"Don't touch me, I'm mad at you, are you trying to kill me? What kind of possible reason could you have for getting me and Shizu-chan in the same room?"

Shizuo stared over at Celty, he had never been annoyed with her before, she knew better than anyone then to pull a stunt like this. "Celty?"

"It's not their fault Izaya!" Mairu exclaimed loudly, causing both men to turn their attention to her. "It was my idea."

Izaya frowned and then grinned. "That I believe."

Shizuo snorted. "If you wanted your brother dead, why'd you stop me from hitting him?" Izaya glared at him, trying his best not to move his fingers.

Mairu placed her hands on her hips. "I didn't get you both here so you could kill each other!"

Shizuo grunted, he'd had enough of this crap, he placed his hands in his pockets. "I'm outta here. I'll let you go this time Izaya, but just because I'm more pissed off at them. Just get out of Ikebukuro now, and I won't break your skull."

Izaya clicked his tongue. "How considerate of you."

Celty ran and pulled on Shizuo's arm, he halted but didn't turn around. Izaya half wondered if Shizuo was going to push her away. "I didn't think you would betray me."

Celty let his arm go, she was about to let him walk away, but determination got the better of her when the images of the disc flashed in her mind. She circled him until she was facing him. [I didn't betray you! I'm sorry I lied to you! I really am! Don't hate me. There really is something I need to talk to you about.]

Shinra turned to place his hand on Izaya's arm, getting his attention. "Sorry if it seemed like I was setting you up. I know you two don't get along, I wouldn't get you both here if I didn't have a good reason. Mairu and Kururi planned this with us. It's really important that we show you something - but unfortunately, you both have to see it together."

Izaya stared at him, looking for any deceit in his friend's face. "Why didn't you just say that? I would have at least known Shizuo was going to be here-" he then glared at the blond. "I know how to be civil."

Shizuo yelled without turning around. "Shut up flea!" he then glanced at Celty. "What Shinra said, does that answer for you too?"

Celty placed a hand on his arm. [Yes. We just wanted to get you both here, it really is important.]

Shizuo sighed. "I don't like it, but it's nice to know that you didn't do it to hurt me."

[I would never do that! I'm sorry if you thought otherwise.]

"I didn't mean to get angry with you, but you know, if you told me that Izaya was going to be here, that you couldn't show me this important thing without his annoying presence. I could have at least prepared myself; I might have had more control over my anger."

Izaya snorted. "Yeh right, don't delude yourself monster."

"Shut up! You're lucky I don't snap you like a twig right now!"

"Brute!"

"Flea!"

Mairu threw her arms up. "Both of you shut up! Geez! Get into that apartment, sit down and don't say a word until this is over, got it?"

For once, Izaya and Shizuo didn't say anything, they simply stared at her, thinking how scary she looked then. Izaya moved first, flexing his fingers as he made his way into the apartment. Shinra and Celty followed after him. Shizuo moved to do the same, but he was stopped by the girls. "Lay one finger on Izaya, and I swear, we will be the ones to kill you," Mairu said sternly, but she had a grin on her face. Shizuo had never believed in those words so much before, from someone so small no less. "Once you see this, you'll regret it if you do hurt him."

Shizuo huffed a laugh but was slightly disturbed by her serious tone. Him, regret harming Izaya? He didn't think that was even possible. Then again, he had felt some form of guilt when he saw the bruising finger marks on his neck, caused by his hand.

"Let's go, Shizu-chan," Mairu mocked as she and Kururi walked into the apartment.

Izaya and Shizuo made a point of sitting as far away from each other as possible. Shizuo sat on the edge of the couch one side, while Izaya sat across the room on one of the stools, his hand outstretched as Shinra bandaged it up. Celty turned to Shizuo as she was sat beside him. [Just try not to freak out, it's important you see this all the way through.]

Shizuo laughed lightly. "Now you got me worried."

Izaya seemed to be trying to kill Shizuo with his glare, obviously not having any luck. "Don't try anything stupid Izaya," Shinra said, giving his fingers a squeeze.

"OW! The hell Shinra!" Izaya yanked his hand away, pouting at his friend.

"Pipe down you baby, it's your own fault," Shizuo remarked.

"Shut up. Don't talk to me."

"Like I want to anyway!"

Mairu slapped the coffee-table to silence them. "Enough already! Just shut up and watch."

Despite the strange situation, Izaya and Shizuo really were acting like kids, maybe they should have tried this situation years ago - forcing them into the same room that is.

They stopped arguing when the screen of the television flickered to life.

…...

Shizuo tilted his head as Izaya adjusted the camera and then sat down beside him. "Okay. Let's go over everything that's happened, we'll give it about a year. We can't leave anything out, so get your thinking cap on Shizu-chan."

"Where shall we start?"

Izaya grinned at him. "The beginning?"

Shizuo shoved him. "I know that! You know what I meant - damn it."

Izaya laughed. "All right. Why don't I start us off?" Izaya made a point of talking directly to the camera, speaking as if he was literally talking to himself. "Let's see. You got stabbed and ended up in hospital, courtesy of Shinra of course, whom you contacted when it happened. You left the hospital whilst still recovering and was eventually chased by Shizu-chan."

"Naturally," Shizuo commented, Izaya elbowed him.

"This caused your stitches to open and you passed out."

Taking his queue Shizuo piped in, following Izaya's example by looking into the camera's direct view. "You found him unconscious and hauled his idiotic ass into a cab and took him back to the hospital."

"Once recovered, you paid your debts by telling the police the truth, that it wasn't Shizu-chan's fault that you got injured and the matter was dropped. Later on-"

"Wait, maybe I should tell this part, you know, I doubt whatever happened next I'd believe if it didn't come from me."

"Hmmm. Good point."

"Later on, you went on a date with a girl called Sakura-"

…...

Izaya smiled. "I know you're probably thinking that this is all a hoax, but who is clever enough to impersonate the likes of us?"

"It's true. You ended up falling for this idiot, it took a lot of time and patience-"

"On both sides." Izaya grinned.

"Yeh. but the feelings aren't one sided. You both fell in love. That might sound crazy, but given everything we've said, whatever has happened to you since, might begin to make sense."

"And if none of that has you convinced-" Izaya shifted on the couch and pulled Shizuo toward him, their lips crashing together, Shizuo wrapped his arms around Izaya's back, pulling him closer. Izaya pulled away after a minute, grinning at him. He then turned to the camera. "Don't be an idiot. You know better than anyone that this isn't the kind of stunt even you would pull."

Shizuo grasped Izaya's hand in his own. "Get all the facts first before you freak out, don't let your temper get the better of you."

The camera switched off.

Shizuo could barely move, what the hell had he just witnessed? "What – the – fuck." That was the last thing he ever expected to see, he would never be able to look at Izaya the same way again. A slight tinge of red crept over his cheeks. He'd been outed - by none other than himself - only to find that the very person he hated, seemed to be the one he had fallen in love with, at least that was what he had seen. This couldn't be real, it couldn't be, it had to be a trick, Izaya's fucking plan. He dared to look at the other man, Izaya looked just as in shock as he was, in fact, he was white as a sheet. So much for his so called scheme.

Shinra looked over at him. "Um, Izaya? You okay?"

Izaya snapped out of it, this wasn't possible, no way. How could he - he loved humans, he'd never had any interest in loving an individual that way, and if he did, it would not be Shizuo! No way! Izaya tried to process it all, even for him that was a hell of a lot of information to take in. The worst part was some of the things that his - other self - claimed to have happened, made a hell of a lot of sense now. The house in Yamata was a big give away, no wonder that man knew who he was when he himself didn't have a clue. No wonder Namie had been acting so strange around him, why Celty was acting like they were friends, why his sisters seem to suddenly care about him. Why he couldn't find Gok's number stored anywhere.

Which brought up the reasons why Shinra and Namie banned him from the internet for so long. The only other thing that bothered him - other than just seeing himself kissing his most hated enemy - was that in all this crazy nonsense, he never knew about this so-called drug. He was the best at what he did, he would have known about this, it was too big for him to miss.

Celty tapped Shizuo on the shoulder. [Are you okay?]

Shizuo let out a shaky breath. "I have no idea, I mean, I just watched myself kiss someone I fucking hate. I don't know whether I'm confused, or nauseous."

Izaya snorted. "The feeling is mutual brute."

Shizuo ignored him, making Izaya click his tongue. Shizuo ran a hand through his hair, feeling overwhelmed. "Tom told me about the drug."

Izaya stared at him. Wait, Shizuo knew about the drug? Izaya couldn't even bring himself to use the nickname after what he saw, it didn't sit right with him. How the hell did he know about it and I didn't?

"He explained that he didn't want me to worry. He had to tell me cause some of our clients forgot that they owed debts. they'd lost their memory, didn't even know who we were."

Izaya stiffened. Shizuo knew, and I didn't... Izaya got up from the stool and strode angrily over to where Shizuo sat.

Mairu looked up at him. "Izaya?"

Izaya bent down and grabbed Shizuo's shirt with his good hand and pulled him toward him. "What the hell did you do to me?"

Shizuo blinked up at him, he then realised what Izaya was thinking. "You think I had something to do with this!? Why the fuck would I drug you, and myself for that matter? Are you seriously asking me that after what we just saw? If I wanted to erase my own memory, I'd have wiped you completely out of my mind for good."

Izaya narrowed his eyes. "Don't lie to me. You fucking drugged me just so you could-" nope, he couldn't even finish that sentence. Even he knew Shizuo wasn't that cruel. He knew him enough to know that wasn't his style, he'd even openly admit that. Shizuo hated his guts, why would he use a drug to be with him. Izaya sighed, letting him go. "I suppose that doesn't make sense..."

Shizuo couldn't be sure, but he could have sworn he heard a mumbled apology come out of Izaya's mouth. He gritted his teeth, that disc was screwing with his mind, maybe everyone was trying to hypnotise them into becoming friends - or rather - lovers. Shizuo almost shuddered, but he couldn't help but stare at Izaya's lips, at the possible thought of what it must be like, to kiss him - instead of punching him.

As if Izaya knew exactly what Shizuo was thinking. "Don't even think about it, I will slit your throat."

Shizuo blushed, he couldn't help himself. "Like I'd even touch you!"

Izaya had to look away, he was so confused, none of it made sense, but at the same time, everything made sense.

"It's all true you know," Shinra said, "no one was more shocked then we were. But, believe us or not, you two are great together."

Izaya cringed, he and Shizuo were not a great anything. "You make me sick." It wasn't clear who Izaya directed that insult toward, so no one said anything.

Shizuo swiped his hand over his face. "This is ridiculous. It's - it's insane."

Izaya placed his hands in his pockets, his good hand clenching around his knife. Why the hell was Shizuo acting the calmest? Like he'd already gotten used to the idea? Since fucking when could the blond stand to be near him, in the same room, let alone - to even think about him like that...Izaya suddenly felt singled out, like there was no one else in the room apart from the two of them, he felt - what did he feel? Confused? A little flattered? Maybe even slightly violated. But he remembered the way his other self - that was going to be his reference for now, maybe there was another reality somewhere out there, a reality in which he and Shizuo were - anyway, Izaya trailed off from his thoughts. He remembered the way he looked as he watched the screen, he looked - happy, not a chaos causing plan happy, genuinely happy. With - Shizuo. Izaya shook his head. Fuck this! He had to get out of this apartment, before his thoughts suffocated him, before Shizuo got any ideas.

"Izaya?" Izaya didn't need to know who called his name, he would know that voice from far off distances. He didn't turn around, he couldn't, he didn't want to see anything on Shizuo's face - other than hatred - directed at him. "What do you think, about all this I mean, kind of – wrong, right?"

So fucking calm! He's seriously asking what I think? Izaya wanted to punch him until he bled out, but he wanted at least one working hand. Maybe I could just slit his throat and run, end this whole ridiculous scenario for both of us. Before Izaya could stop himself, he spun around and drew his flick blade, lunging at Shizuo. Before the blond could react - Celty intervened and dark shadows curled around his arm, stopping his hand inches from Shizuo's face.

Shizuo glared at him, still unable to shake his anger for the man before him, he fucking hated him. Izaya glared back, but something else was there, it was anger, but it was as if it was directed inwards instead of out.

[I know this is a lot to handle. For the both of you. Please try and calm down. We're here to help.]

Celty showed the message to both of them, letting them know she considered each of their friendships to be of high value. Shizuo saw the surprise on Izaya's face, it was a shock to him too, he didn't think Celty and Izaya even got along. The more he witnessed their friend's reactions, the more he was beginning to think what he saw was true. It seemed strange, that Izaya was having more trouble believing it then he was, if anything, Shizuo should be the one to blame Izaya for this, not the other way around.

Izaya sighed in defeat then. "You can let me go. I'm leaving anyway, I won't lash out."

Celty released her hold but placed her hand on his arm and then typed. [You can't leave! You need to stay here now; you were a target. What if something happens?]

Izaya laughed. "Real or not, your concern is appreciated, but I can take care of myself."

Shizuo snorted at that, but Izaya ignored him, he turned to leave; and just as Shizuo got up to stop him - for reasons he couldn't fathom. The door burst open, revealing Shinra's dad.

The man startled them and then shouted, "I have the cure!"

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