"You idiot, Minato! Can't you see she's using you?!" The woman swung her fists down, her beautiful features twisted in rage and desperation.

"You don't understand love, Nina-chan." Minato—who was truly Kasuka—shook his head in disappointment as he turned away. "That's why you and I could never work out."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means you can't trust anyone. And because you can't trust anyone, you let your pessimism speak louder than the truth."

"Wha—!"

"When things start going too good, you immediately assume something bad will happen. You sabotage your own happiness because you're scared of what the future will hold."

"You—! How dare you?! After everything we've been through, you're going to make such bold claims like that?!"

"It's because of everything we've been through that I can say this with confidence. You missed your chance for happiness. You threw away what we had because you were scared of what I could give you. Or maybe you're scared of commitment. I wouldn't put that pass you either.

"However, I'm not going to throw this away. I found my happiness and nothing you say can make me change my mind. I won't stoop to your level ever again."

Her hand came out in a flash to slap Kasuka across the face. Shizuo jolted to the scene. It wasn't the first time he's watched a movie where Kasuka got hit, but this was a very passionate slap and it sounded very real. Shizuo wasn't sure if they were acting. Well, they were certainly acting. But whether or not that was a real slap was up for debate. He knew some actors would actually hit each other to get that authentic hit. Never fight scenes, but slaps and playful wrestling matches he knew tended to be real.

Shizuo had nearly caught up on every movie Kasuka had released. He had wanted to watch them all in one sitting, but Kasuka pointed out that some of them were very lengthy and he didn't need to stay cooped up inside all day watching movies. As much as Shizuo would like to protest, he was right. He had spent the first month staying in Kasuka's house, too worried to go outside, so he had to go out and get some air.

That was easier said than done though. He had many reasons to worry. Besides the generic fear that monsters may be lurking in the backalleys and the darkness might come before they could get home, Shizuo also had his own faults that concerned him.. He had spend months killing anything on sight. Anything that was slightly threatening, Shizuo would respond with as much violence as he could output since it was kill or be killed. He had to do whatever he could to keep Izaya and himself alive.

But that wasn't a requirement now that he was home. He didn't have to use so much force against living beings anymore. He didn't have to fear anything in Ikebukuro. He was the most dangerous thing in the city now, so he had no reason to use excessive strength.

But what if he got scared? What if it he had a knee-jerk reaction to attack someone who did anything offput? Someone started yelling at him, someone wanted to pick a fight with him for some stupid reason, someone remembered who he was and decided to pull a knife out. What if at that time, he let his fear speak louder than his restraint and he killed someone? The police wouldn't be so forgiving and even if they were, he wouldn't be. He could never forgive himself for killing another human being.

That fear kept Shizuo inside the house. He didn't want to hurt anyone. He didn't want to be a danger to society. He had to keep himself away from others until he was certain he wouldn't hurt anyone.

Shizuo was officially living with Kasuka for the time being. After all, his lease for the apartment he had went up years ago. His parents and Kasuka had claimed all of Shizuo's stuff before they went to the junkyard or charity. Most of it was currently in storage. Some of it had been thrown out, like the things his parents deemed unimportant—which if his parents deemed it such it probably was, so Shizuo wouldn't complain. However, instead of apartment browsing, they all agreed that Shizuo wasn't capable of working right now, nor would it be good for him to be living alone. So, for the time being, they all agreed it was best for Shizuo to stay with Kasuka.

And since he was living with Kasuka, Shizuo obviously had to abide by his rules—not like the older brother wouldn't anyway. Because of that, by the end of the first month, Kasuka started implementing mandatory physical contact with his brother. The actor would have Shizuo hold his hand or lean against him, or he would lean against Shizuo. The blond-dyed-redhead wasn't comfortable with that but Kasuka wouldn't relent. In the end, Shizuo had to get better for his brother. So, he would focus all of his efforts on controlling his strength and not possibly hurting Kasuka.

It took over three weeks for Shizuo to finally be comfortable with his control. He believed he had gotten himself back to the point where he was before he was taken to Silent Hill. That wasn't much, but it was something. Better than nothing.

The blond was satisfied with what he had accomplished. Honestly, he was evne a little impressed. After all, something that he had been struggling with his whole life he could suddenly get down in a little under a month. He had every right to be a bit impressed with himself. With a little bit of confidence, he was ready to start going outside.

But first, he needed to dye his hair blond again. He had to have his warning sign back up and obvious before he could possibly mingle with society. He needed to remove as much possibility of scumbags attacking him as he could. He needed to do everything he possibly could to protect other people from himself—if they were too dumb to figure out the warning then that was on them.

Getting blood out of his dyed hair was easier than he thought it was. Hand soap and water hadn't done it for him in Silent Hill, regular shampoo hadn't done it for him in the hospital or in the prior two months. But hydrogen peroxide, and enzyme infused hair treatment got it all out in two washes.

Although, all that unhealthy liquid dyed into his hair for months on end, so Shizuo's hair was damaged. Kasuka was the one who pointed it out and the one who suggested a hairstylist. Particularly, the one who did Kasuka's hair. She was quite masterful and skilled. She saved as much of Shizuo's hair as she could but in the end, she had to cut it shorter than Shizuo would like. He wouldn't complain though. It'll grow back, after all. She then died it with a type of hair-dye that wouldn't damage his hair too bad and avoided dyeing the roots, so it could maintain its health and grow faster.

Kasuka then bought him some new clothes. The blond would admit, he missed his bartender attire and Kasuka promised to get him more, but for now, he should be as comfortable as he could be walking around. The clothes were relatively stylish. Certainly more to Kasuka's taste, but Shizuo was always thankful for whatever the actor gave him, so he wouldn't complain.

With that done, at the beginning of month three, they started adventuring out into the world of Japan. The first few days weren't so bad. The buffer they did come against was met with a surprising amount of calm, despite someone stepping on the shoes Kasuka bought Shizuo. He had gotten angry sure, but Shizuo decided it wasn't worth it. If he had to choose between giving into his anger and potentially killing this man by going too far, or leaving the situation, he decided to leave.

The duo had plenty of decent outings. The only real issue was the paparazzi. Many of them were so relentless. One of which asked for a shirtless picture for no provoked reason. Shizuo got pissed about that one. He sent that man flying and the photographer's calmed down significantly. It became more of a stalker situation, where they would watch them and take pictures from a distance.

With that as the case, Kasuka was able to ruin a lot of their shots with some simple tricks. Whenever he'd spot a camera gleam, he would make sure to hold something in front of his face, or place his cheek in his hand so all they could see was the back of his head and coat sleeve. He also went out in the same coat. Not only did he have no need to wear different coats everyday, it also made any pictures taken look like it came from the same day. Kasuka admitted the coat wasn't an original idea, but something he read on Twitter from a famous British actor. Shizuo noticed they lost a lot of their stalkers by the end of the nights.

As the month went by, it became apparent that Shizuo's fears were untoward. He was surprisingly calm around other people. Nothing had triggered his survival instinct and he hadn't gotten scared by anyone. Humans weren't going to be an issue other than triggering his anger—and he had more control of his temper than he did his fear.

Although that fear was still prominent. It came out at night almost everyday. Shizuo just couldn't relax until he saw dawn peeking over the horizon. And he certainly wasn't meant for nocturnal life, so there were some days where he couldn't function because he was so tired. Kasuka had suggested therapy, but in the end, they agreed that it wasn't a good idea.

Well, it certainly was a good idea. Shizuo went through a harrowing experience. He could use counseling without a shadow of a doubt. But what therapist would actually believe the core of his trauma was from a demon plane filled with blood-thirsty monsters?

As much as Shizuo needed aide, he wasn't going to get it. They were going to have to figure this situation out on their own. Kasuka has been giving him as much support as he may need and it would hopefully be enough.

They had started taking baby steps to help Shizuo sleep. First they shared a bed, so Shizuo knew he wasn't alone. Next was having black curtains over the windows so he couldn't tell if it was night or day. Then came sleeping with the light on. Those three paired together worked well enough. By the end of the fourth month, Shizuo could fall asleep with Kasuka without staying vigilant for most of the night.

With that bit of success and the start of month five, Shizuo moved to a separate bed—although still in the room—and they started turning off the light, but having a nightlight and a flashlight on the nightstand for Shizuo to grab whenever he needed it. They certainly had mixed results over the last month. Some nights it worked, and some nights it certainly didn't work. There were just times when the shadows in the room were playing too many tricks on him. He could see so many faces, so many writhing limbs on the ceiling and across the corners of the room.

There was no sleeping for Shizuo on those nights. The blond certainly felt bad. He knew Kasuka had a busy schedule and he knew he was just bothering his little brother. On such nights when he felt like such a nuisance, he would exile himself to the living room and just keep the TV on with no sound so the room would be illuminated. If Kasuka preferred or disliked that, he didn't say anything.

Regardless, Shizuo had certainly made progress. He didn't doubt he would be returning to his daily life soon. He even talked to Tom about returning to work if they would have him—which Tom stated that wouldn't be a problem. He was able to laugh and enjoy his day. He had plenty of an appetite. He got to spend time with his brother, making up for what they had missed over the last ten years.

But one thing still weighed heavy on his mind. One thing that dampened his mood and made him feel guilt and shame for being happy. The person he left behind. Izaya.

He couldn't possibly live with himself when he knew Izaya was still suffering in Silent Hill. Who knew what would happen to him. Shizuo wasn't there to protect him. He wasn't there to keep him safe even though that was the only reason he went to Silent Hill. The raven survived well enough while they were separated, but that was with Alessa's blessing, wasn't it? She wanted Izaya to succeed, so she wouldn't have sent anything after him that would kill him. But now, since Izaya outlived his usefulness to the demon, does he still have Alessa's blessing?

Shizuo didn't know. And not knowing made his heart twist in fear. What if the last thing Shizuo ever saw of Izaya was that maniacal smile as he tore into his stomach? Alessa had driven him mad and made him betray Shizuo, so maybe...maybe he would be okay? Or maybe she had converted him into one of his monsters, so that he can never leave her side? Was that her goal from the beginning? Had Shizuo been in the way of that and that's why Alessa broke Izaya's mind?

So many questions, and Shizuo had no answers. The only one who would know would be Izaya and he may never see him again. Shizuo always felt a vice grip on his stomach at the thought.

The blond stood up from the couch. Kasuka had work until late, so Shizuo would make dinner for him. He was a mediocre cook at best, but he could make something edible and a little tasty. He would need to start preparing if it would be done by the time he gets back.

He went into the kitchen and began washing his hands. As soon as he started drying them on a towel, his phone beeped. He glowered at it. What wretched timing that was. But it could be Kasuka, so he couldn't ignore it.

The blond sighed as he flipped the towel over his shoulder and went back to the living room. He grabbed his phone and clicked it.

(1) New Message: Ryuugamine Mikado

Shizuo had talked to the Dollars kid today. Him and the girl apparently knew him, but he couldn't really recall where. He was apparently the kid he talked to about quitting the Dollars back when, but he doesn't really remember his face. Either or way, the boy known as Mikado apologized to him, along with the glasses girl he met during the slasher event. He remembered her. Some guy tried to attack her, then proclaimed his love for Shizuo, and Shizuo hit him with a car door. He didn't remember her face but he remembered the glasses, so he knew where they met at least.

Anyway, the Mikado guy wanted to apologize because he was the leader of the Dollars and should have had a better grasp on the group. Anri apologized for letting the Slasher situation get out of hand and thanked him for the save back then.

They talked for a while. Shizuo shared some of what happened in Silent Hill and what happened between him and Izaya. It hurt to talk about, but the more he did, the easier it became to say. They pandered with small talk for a but until eventually trading contact information. Kasuka brought him a new phone and he was never good at remembering anyone's number but his own and Kasuka's, so he couldn't refill his contacts without talking to the people—although he knew he never had these two's numbers before.

Regardless, he accepted their numbers since they sincerely apologized and wanted to maintain in contact. Although that didn't mean he wanted to talk to them unless necessary. He feared that he may have given his number to an annoying guy who might want to talk all hours of the day. Shizuo was bad at paying attention to his phone, so if he got his phone blown up with forty messages in thirty minutes, he was going to throw something.

He opened the message and started reading.

Shizuo's heart immediately began to thunder in his chest as he dropped the phone.

[Izaya-san's back! We've taken him to Kishitani-san's since he seems wounded but he's alive and he's asking for you! Please come, Shizuo-san]


A loud crash sounded in the bathroom, followed by a call of pain. Shinra and Celty rushed into the room. Steam flooded out.

"Izaya, are you alright?!" Shinra called.

"Fuck...! Yeah, I'm fine." Izaya groaned. "I just fell."

"Did you hit your head?" Shinra stood on the other side of the frosted glass. "Open any wounds?"

"No, I'm fine." Izaya flopped back on the floor, glowering up at the ceiling as water splashed on his thighs. "I'm alright."

"...Okay. If you start not feeling fine, call for me."

"I know, you already told me."

"Yes, but I still remember how you were back then, so I know I need to beat the dead horse."

Izaya chuckled. "Oh, how touching! I'm glad you finally learned to worry about your friends."

Shinra chuckled too. "Maybe you should have hit your head. Your terrible personality is still intact."

Izaya held back a laugh. Ah, hearing Shinra's annoying voice was so refreshing. Who would have thought?

"Don't forget to call for me."

"I will, I will." Izaya waved him off. "You can return to your love nest."

Shinra seemed like he wanted to say something but didn't. Instead, he just walked out of the bathroom. Once alone, Izaya sat up. He decided not to try standing, so he just scooted himself closer to the spray. The hot water washed over him again.

He tilted his head down. Faded red streamed down Izaya's body. He grabbed the soap again. Shinra gave him enzyme-based shampoo and it was doing wonders with getting the blood off. He needed it too. He hadn't showered in nearly ten days. Alessa refused to make the darkness go away for long intervals of time, so the most Izaya could do was take an hour long nap. Two hours if he was lucky. Because of that, he had ten days worth of blood to wash off.

Oh, another thing that felt refreshing—being clean. Having hot water that he didn't have to boil. Shampoo instead of bars of soap. It was glorious. Izaya was going to savior this feeling.

But he would need to get out eventually. He knew Shizuo was on the way, or might be on the way. Mikado had texted him. He doesn't recall how Mikado got his number, but apparently he had it. Izaya wasn't complaining. It made his life just a tad easier.

However, with that being the case, he certainly couldn't spend all the day in the shower. He wanted to, was heavily debating it. But he needed to talk to Shizuo and he couldn't do that in the shower.

So, Izaya washed off once again, scrubbing himself with fervor to try and get every layer of blood off. He went under the water to clean off the suds. Looking down at himself, he looked clean, which was certainly nice. His legs were certainly clean, since they were new, but his skin looked as pale as it should.

Reluctantly, Izaya turned off the water and opened the shower door. He couldn't get traction on the porcelain floor of the shower, so he had little choice but to crawl onto the bathmat. He then pushed himself to his feet. Carefully, he walked over to the dresser across the room, trying his damnedest not to slip. He made it without incident and quickly went about drying off his feet and putting on a pair of grip socks. Izaya had asked for some and although confused, Shinra obliged and went to a nearby clothes shop to get him some.

Finally confident that he could stand, Izaya took his time drying off the rest of his body. He put on a pair of black underwear, slacks, and a white button-up shirt. With a towel around his neck, he left the bathroom and entered the water closet.

Shinra had also gotten him a tooth brush, which he graciously accepted. He spent a good five minutes brushing his teeth. Then he cleaned his ears with cotton swabs and blew his nose into some tissue paper.

'AAAHHH! CLEAN!'

Izaya felt like a giddy child to have proper hygiene again.

The raven left the water closet. He rubbed his head with the towel again as he walked down the hall to the living room. Upon his arrival, Shinra and Celty looked over their shoulder at him—Celty turned her torso.

"You look must better." Shinra said. "You looked like a Mayan with all that war paint."

Izaya held back a laugh. He wanted to come up with something witty, but he couldn't think of anything at the moment.

Instead, he just said, "I never thought I'd miss the dumb things you say, but I'm starting to realize their charm."

Shinra smiled. Izaya let out a heavy sigh as he walked over. He sat down in the closest chair by the coffee table. As soon as he sunk into the pillowy seat, fatigue slammed into him. Ten days of running and hiding had left him exhausted. Finally within safety, he could feel his energy being sapped away. He just wanted to sleep.

"Have you texted Shizu-chan?" Izaya asked.

Shinra hesitated. "Yeah."

"And?"

"He hasn't responded."

"He might be sleeping. We never slept during the darkness, and night time might feel like the darkness to him."

"...He mentioned something like that before, yeah."

Izaya nodded. He then chuckled as he pulled his feet up, pressing them into the seat and the arm of the chair. He shifted until he could rest his head on the other armrest.

"You know, you don't need to be so scared to talk about Shizu-chan with me." Izaya said, "We're the best of friends now, just like you've always wanted. So, there's no need to be so tense like we used to."

There was no response.

"And besides, it's been ten years, right?" Izaya settled in, closing his eyes. "That's more than enough time for two people in a life or death situation to start liking each other."

"...Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't try to kill each other while you were there. No one would have known."

"Well, there were preconceived concepts set up that would ensure we wouldn't kill each other."

"Like what?"

"None of your business."

"Ah, come on. Shizuo said that you had all the answers to what was going on in Silent Hill."

"I don't have all the answers. I just know more." Izaya let out a heavy sigh. "There had to be more than just what Alessa told me. The group that burned her alive met their justice. She killed them all, yet there were still cultists there. But she said I fulfilled all I needed to. She said she wanted me out of Silent Hill. Yet the job wasn't done."

Izaya shifted to get more comfortable, tucking his arm under his head to give more cushion.

"Why you and Shizuo though?" Shinra asked.

"None of your business."

"Izaya, you went missing for almost eleven years. Regardless of how we treated each other, I did consider you and Shizuo as my closest friends. I think I have a right to know."

'I'm not telling you Shizuo was a monster sent for me.'

Izaya's brows furrowed. Then he let out a sigh. "Shizu-chan was collateral damage. I was the only one who should have survived the plane crash, but Shizu-chan was holding onto me when we were falling."

"But why you?"

"I chose her."

Shinra waited for him to say more, but when he didn't. So, Shinra prompted, "And?"

"And I haven't gotten more then eight hours of sleep over the last ten days. I'm so exhausted. Just let me sleep until Shizu-chan gets here, then I'll explain everything."

"...No offense, but last time you said that, you turned on Shizuo."

"I had to. It was the only way out for him."

"But why—"

Shinra fell silent and he heard the tapping of fingers on a PDA. Celty was certainly talking to him. Izaya decided not to question it and just get to sleep before Shinra could start talking again.

"Nii-san?" Kasuka questioned as he walked into his dark house. "Why are the lights off?"

There was no response. Kasuka got a bad feeling, however that didn't stop him from walking into the house. He turned on the lights as he went. Shizuo had said he would make dinner, yet he didn't smell anything cooking.

The actor walked into the living room. It was pitch black, except for one light source. Shizuo was on the couch with a blanket over him. He was staring at his phone screen, which was illuminating his face.

"Nii-san?"

Shizuo didn't look at him. He just stared at the phone.

Kasuka turned on the lights. Shizuo closed his eyes tight shut as be became blinded. He put the phone down and rubbed his eyes. He blink rapidly before looking up at Kasuka.

"Hey, Kasuka..." Shizuo started. "What are you doing here? Did you get off work early?"

Kasuka shook his head. "It's nine o'clock, Shizu-Nii."

Shizuo jolted as his eyes stretched wide. "Wha—! It is?!"

The blond looked at the clock by the TV. Sure enough, it was 9:12pm.

"I'm so sorry!" Shizuo called. "I wasn't paying attention to the time! Ah, dinner! I was going to make dinner! I'm sorry!"

"It's okay." Kasuka walked over. "We can order takeout."

Shizuo looked apologetic.

"What happened?" Kasuka sat down by his brother. "You looked like you were in a trance, staring at your phone like that."

Shizuo jolted. He then clenched his teeth as his brows furrowed. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. He decided not to struggle for words and just showed him the phone.

Kasuka took the device and read the message.

"...Orihara-san is back?" The younger brother voiced.

"...Apparently," Shizuo wrapped his arms around himself to hold the blankets. "I...I don't know...I want to see him. I really want to see him! I want to know that he's okay. But I'm just...I'm really scared, Kasuka."

"Well, of course you would be. Last time you saw him, he ripped your stomach open."

Shizuo clenched his teeth. "So, I shouldn't see him?"

"I didn't say that." Kasuka shook his head. "I think you should see him. He has a lot to answer for."

Shizuo stared at him. The uncertainty was obvious on his face. He was scared and worried, it was plain to see. But the blond nodded all the same.

"I'll come with you." Kasuka said.

Shizuo nodded again. "Thank you, Kasuka."

The actor nodded.

Shizuo breathed in deeply then exhaled. He calmed his nerves before standing.

"Alright, let's go." Shizuo stated.

Kasuka stared for a moment. "Right now?"

"Yes. The sooner, the better."

"...But it's dark out."

Shizuo jolted, then looked out the window.

"Are you sure you want to go out, Nii-san?"

Shizuo stared at the black window. His heart started to hammer. He clenched his teeth hard as he closed his eyes.

'It's not Silent Hill. It's not the real darkness. It's just night time. It's night time. And Izaya's out there. He's just across the city. I should—I have to—No, I can do this!'

Shizuo inhaled deeply then exhaled. He opened his eyes and looked at Kasuka with a crooked smile.

"Yeah, I'm sure." The blond said. "Let's go."

Kasuka stared for a moment. He then nodded and stood. "Alright."

Shizuo smiled softly. He nodded, more to himself than to his brother. "I'm um, I'm gonna get changed. I'll be right back."

"Take your time."

The blond didn't. He didn't want to waste time. He wanted to see Izaya. He wanted to see him as soon as possible! Shizuo went to his room—he had a separate room for him to get dressed in, so the brothers had privacy when changing; the room was meant to be Shizuo's when he could finally sleep without Kasuka, thus why his clothes were in there—and quickly stripped out of his sweatpants and t-shirt. He grabbed whatever clothes were at the top of his drawers and went about putting them on. He then grabbed Izaya's coat from the coat rack and put it on. Within ten minutes, they were out the door and in the car.

The drive to Shinra's place was quiet. Kasuka turned on the radio and played a station that Shizuo would like. However, the blond was ten years behind what was hip and trending in the music industry. Besides, he didn't really care as he reread the text message. He focused on it instead of the black sky above their heads. The city lights illuminated them enough that it practically felt like day so long as he didn't look up. But it was still dark, regardless of all the lights, so Shizuo just kept his face in his phone.

The blond clenched his teeth.

'Izaya's alive. He made it. He can finally answer all of my questions. He has a lot to explain. He has to tell me everything. I won't let him try otherwise! I won't let him beat around the bush this time. No excuses.'

Although Shizuo's thought sounded angry, he wasn't actually mad at the raven. Hurt. Betrayed. Upset. But not angry. He just wants to understand. He just wants to know why Izaya would go through such lengths for Shizuo, work with him and practically be friends with him, all to throw it away and spit on it because Alessa said so.

He had to know. He had a right to know. Izaya couldn't convince him otherwise. Shizuo deserved answers and he was going to get them.

The drive didn't take long. It was a fifteen minute drive at most. They pulled up to the apartment building. Shizuo looked up. Apprehension started to fill his chest. What if Izaya was still crazy? What if he tried to attack him again? Would Shizuo have to fight him? He didn't want to do that. For the first time since Shizuo's met Izaya, the blond did not want to fight Izaya! He just...wanted everything to be okay.

The two stepped out of the car. Shizuo was hesitant, but he followed Kasuka into the building. They went into the elevator. Shizuo's anxiety built with their ascension to the top floor. What if Izaya didn't recognize him? What if he was mangled and crippled? What if it was actually Roppi and no one had noticed the difference until he showed up? No, Roppi was dead. There's no way it could be him. But what if Alessa resurrected him just to come and kill Shizuo for getting out? What if this was a trap to drag him back to Silent Hill?

Shizuo's breathing became hard. A soft hand slipped into him own, which made him jump. He looked down at his brother, who was looking up at him with that complacent expression he always had. Shizuo's brows furrowed before he squeezed his brother's hand. He did so as softly as he could. He didn't want to hurt Kasuka, after all.

They held hands until the elevator doors opened. They stepped out, Kasuka taking the lead. They stepped up to the apartment door. Kasuka looked back at Shizuo, waiting for any indication that it was okay to knock. Shizuo swallowed hard then nodded.

Kasuka rung the doorbell.


The doorbell woke Izaya from his sleep. He wasn't sure how long he was unconscious for, since he had been woken up a few times. This was the third time he heard the doorbell and the fourth time he heard Shinra's voice.

"Hai, hai, hai, hai, hai!" Shinra called as he left his bedroom.

Celty and Shinra had gone to their bedroom, so they didn't disturb Izaya's sleep—not that the doctor wasn't loud enough to be heard from the bedroom so he woke him up anyway.

The doctor rushed down the hall. Izaya groaned as he rubbed his eye. He heard the front door open.

"Ah, Kasuka-kun, Shizuo-kun!"

Izaya jolted to the name.

"You didn't text me. Mikado-kun said he told you to text me."

"Ah...Sorry." Izaya heard Shizuo's voice. "I didn't really read that part."

"Well, come on in."

"Pardon the intrusion." The brothers said.

Izaya heard them walk in. The raven perked on his seat, sitting on his knees and leaning over the back of the chair, so he could see into the hallway. Sure enough, there he was. Shizuo was taking off his shoes before stepping out of the genkan.

"He's sleeping right now," Shinra stated, "So, let me wake him up."

'I'm awake! I'm...'

Izaya couldn't find his voice. The relief and happiness that flooded his chest was making a lump in his throat that he couldn't get out.

Shizuo walked down the hall. Their eyes met.

For a long while, the two didn't say anything. Then they both smiled.

"Hey, Shizu-chan." Izaya said.

"...H-hey..."

"You dyed your hair again."

"Ah, yeah. Being, um, being a redhead wasn't my thing..."

"They had to cut it really short, didn't they? It's not as fluffy as usual."

"Yeah...There was a lot of damage..."

"And you're wearing my coat."

Shizuo didn't respond.

Izaya pushed himself off the chair and walked around it. However, Shizuo immediately took two steps back, grabbing Kasuka and pulling him back as well, as an expression of fear passed his face. Izaya stopped in his tracks.

"Be-before we do anything," Shizuo started with a shaking voice, "Are you—Did you—Is Alessa still controlling you?"

Izaya was quiet for a moment, then he chuckled. "Is that how you rationalized it? Was my acting that convincing?"

"Acting...?"

"Alessa was never controlling me."

Shizuo's chest tightened to the words.

"No, I did the complete opposite of what Alessa wanted and I paid the price for my actions."

Shizuo cocked a brow in confusion. "Wait, she didn't want you to hurt me?"

"No, that's not it. It's...Well..." Izaya let out a heavy sigh as he sat back on the arm of the chair. "Alessa never gave you permission to leave Silent Hill."

Shizuo's expression soured, although the confusion remained.

"See, I lied to you." Izaya continued. "Alessa gave me permission to leave, we went to the broken bridge over the gorge and I said I couldn't cross it. But that was a lie. I could cross it. But you couldn't. And since you couldn't, I wasn't going to leave you there when you weren't supposed to be there to begin with. Alessa explained to me that you were just collateral damage. The only reason you lived with me during that plane crash is because you were with me. You wouldn't let me go, so..."

"...So, she didn't care if I lived or died."

"Not a wit. She only cared for me." Izaya pressed his arms on the armrest by his side. "And I wouldn't be surprised if there was some animosity there. After all, I was her chosen savior. My attention should have been on her and no one else, yet you were always on my mind. I'm being completely honest with you so if you say anything annoying, I'll hit you."

Izaya glowered at him.

Shizuo put his hands up in surrender.

"I was looking for Alessa..." Izaya said, "But I was also looking for you. I knew you were alive because of the bow tie, but you and I couldn't find each other until we were in the Darkness. I was told that there's more than one Silent Hill and that the Darkness links all of them together. So, the Silent Hill I saw probably wasn't the same one you saw until the Darkness came. Alessa purposefully separated us because she worried you'd gum up the works of what she wanted me to do. Then you got yourself caught by the cultists and put yourself in a position where her goal for me coincided with saving you. She certainly didn't like that. She wanted me to save her because she was my top priority, not because it was killing two birds with one stones. So, I wouldn't be surprised if she actually full-out hated you."

Izaya let out a soft sigh. He had been thinking about this lie since he got back, so by now he knew exactly what to say.

"So, yeah...You were just collateral damage. I got Alessa her revenge, I was the only one allowed to leave. I could have left Silent Hill without you but I wasn't going to do that. That only enraged Alessa more, so she told me I couldn't get out the easy way anymore."

"Is...Is this when she took you up on the balcony?" Shizuo asked.

"That's right. She obviously didn't say all this, but she got her point across. See, there's more than one way to get out of Silent Hill. The easiest is Alessa's permission—which wasn't easy at all. But there are two other ways. One is this thing called the Seal of Metatron. Not sure what it looks like, but apparently, it could get someone out of Silent Hill. But Alessa apparently broke it in two and hid the pieces in Silent Hill, so I have no idea where they could be and she wasn't going to give it to me.

"The other way is through acts of extreme pain and suffering. Alessa told me I no longer had her blessing, but she still wanted me out of Silent Hill. She gave me a serum, that green serum I used on you, and told me that it'll mess with my nervous system and overload my pain receptors—so a few cuts to my wrist will feel like my arm's getting cut off."

Shizuo's eyes widened with understanding. "Or it'd make me feel pain like a normal person."

"Exactly. And since she said extreme pain and suffering, I wasn't sure if telling you would null-and-void the effect. So, I played up the crazy routine. Apparently, it worked cuz you got out."

Shizuo couldn't help but smile a little. "So, Dad was right. I-I thought Alessa drove you crazy or-or convinced you to betray me, but then I was out. So, my Dad suggested that you were told to hurt me and it would get me out..."

"Wait, you told your parents about the monster-filled Silent Hill?"

"...No, I...I told them it was a kidnapping and we were put in a kill-or-be-killed situation. I...Don't think they would have believed the demon/monster part."

"Good thinkings."

Shizuo nodded. He then hugged himself slightly. "So-so you're okay then? You're not insane or under Alessa's spell?"

"No. I never was."

The blond smiled as he nodded. But that smile quickly fell as concerned cross his face. "But you said—You said you didn't have Alessa's permission anymore, then you used your ticket to get me out. She had to have been angry."

"Oh, she was furious. The Darkness lasted for literal days. I think it's only been ten days since I got you out and I only got about eight hours of sleep over all those days."

"Wait, you were only in Silent Hill for another ten days?"

"I think so. It didn't feel like a few months or anything."

"It's been five months for us."

Izaya nodded. "Mikado-kun told me everything."

Shizuo nodded. "Then how...how did you get out?"

A small smile crossed Izaya's face. He then bent his foot up to rest it on his knee. He peeled his sock off then pulled his slacks up to expose his leg up to his knee. Shizuo was confused for a moment. He stepped closer, in which his eyes stretched wide with realization.

"Dark Pyramid cut off my legs." Izaya stated. "But I fainted before I could get out. When I woke up, I was in a mannequin warehouse. I started to grow new legs and it felt god awful, like my legs were being stitched together like a doll. But it got me out."

"She..." Shizuo stared wide-eyed. Then he clenched his teeth hard as his eyes filled with hate. "How can she be so cruel?! You helped her and she—"

"She's a demon, Shizu-chan. It's par for the course."

Shizuo's eyes widened. "Wait...So you know she's a demon?"

"Course I do. I've known before I made it to the church."

The blond felt horror clench his heart. "Wait, you knew before? Then why did you argue with me about it?!"

"Because there are two Alessa's, Shizu-chan. Alessa that was burned alive was just an eight-year-old girl who's aunt isolated her and her mother from the entire town until they were desperate for a solution. Course they didn't know that aunty-dear's plan was a trial by fire. The one we've been seeing, the little girl with black eyes, the one controlling Silent Hill, was the demon. The one in the bed that killed everyone in the church. That was Alessa who wanted revenge. And the little girl was the demon who gave her everything she asked for."

Shizuo's brows furrowed with uncertainty. "But...But why Alessa? I still don't get it and you said you'd explain! How did Alessa summon a demon like that?!"

"Because Alessa was special. Even before Dark Alessa came to her, she was able to do things that weren't normal. That's why the church targeted. Alessa was the original incubator. They did to her what they wanted to do to you. They wanted her to be the vessel for their god. But she got out. They burned her alive, and she turned their fire against them. She lived and she was fueled with hatred. Dark Alessa came for her and the rest is history."

"Okay, but why you?" Shinra poked his head out from behind Shizuo.

The duo glared at the doctor.

"Hey, you said you'd answer questions when Shizuo got here." Shinra pointed out.

Izaya glowered for a moment longer before letting out a heavy sigh. "I chose her."

"You said that, but I don't understand."

"Alessa was looking for a savior. Those dreams I was having, she sent them out to so many different people all over the world. Mother's, father's, children her own age. Apparently, out of all of them, I was the only one willing to die to protect her. In those dreams, it was either I died or Alessa died, and I chose her."

"...But why? No offense, but that seems extremely uncharacteristic of you."

"I was just a kid. It was a knee-jerk reaction. Instinctual."

"Okay, but why keep doing it when you became an adult?"

Izaya glowered. "Because she was a little girl. Why wouldn't I?"

"Yet you used Akane-chan to mess with me." Shizuo stated.

Izaya glowered at him as well. "Akane-chan was never in any danger. I used her, then she wound up here, where the Awakusu-Kai could find her. Besides, her dad knew what was going on. Mikiya-san let me use those dead bodies to frame you. He didn't know I'd use Akane-chan, but he knew I was going to set you up and didn't do anything to stop it. Akane-chan wasn't going to get hurt from what I did."

Izaya put his sock back and rolled his pant leg down.

"I know I'm a scumbag, but I don't hurt kids." The raven stated. "Use them, sure. But I'm not going to put them in a situation that'll get them killed. Not if I can help it."

Shinra was quiet for a moment. "Okay. Then what about the preconceived notions that kept you and Shizuo-kun from killing each other?"

Shizuo looked at him with confusion.

Izaya glowered. "I already said. Alessa kept us separated the entire time, up until we met back at the church. Even when we met up at the school, she sent decoys to come between us."

"Decoys?"

Shizuo's eyes widened. "Wait, decoys?"

"That's right. She made a fake Shizu-chan. His name was Tsukishima, annoying little bastard. He was like a nervous deer, stuttering and flinching and eager to please. Then he bashed my head in, kicked me around, and threatened to kill Alessa." Izaya's expression became laced with annoyance. "Good riddance to him."

"Then...Then do you..." Shizuo trailed off.

"Do I what?"

Shizuo couldn't bring himself to say it. 'Do you know about Hachimenroppi? Do you know about your twin brother?'

Shizuo looked at the ground and shook his head. "No, it's nothing."

'I can't tell him. I can't tell him that Alessa turned his brother into a monster.'

Izaya stared for a moment.

'He still hasn't brought up Roppi.'

That would have been the opportune time to bring up. After all, Izaya had his decoy, so certainly Shizuo did too. But he has yet to say anything.

However, Izaya wouldn't drag it out of him. He didn't need to. After all...

"I did what I did for Alessa, for the blackened heart of an innocent." Izaya said, "The demon just guided me to her."

Izaya smiled up at Shizuo.

"And now it's over. I've done all Alessa's wanted of me. We never have to deal with Silent Hill ever again."

Shizuo stared at him, uncertainty plane to see on his face.

The blond hesitated before saying, "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

His brows furrowed. Izaya did do everything Alessa asked of him. He gave her the revenge she craved. He chose her over everything. There was no reason for Silent Hill to ever be part of the lives anymore. It was logical. And Izaya was so confident in what he was saying.

Shizuo decided to trust the raven. He had put his faith in him through this whole thing, and after knowing that Izaya betrayed Alessa to give Shizuo freedom, he had no reason not to trust him again.

The blond smiled. "I'm holding you to that."

Izaya smiled back. The blond hesitated before he stepped up to Izaya. He wasn't sure if he should be so close to the man who bashed his head open and ripped his stomach apart. He was still nervous. But he could ignore it. He wanted to ignore it. He didn't want to be scared of Izaya—of all people! He couldn't be scared of him.

"You still have a lot you need to tell me." Shizuo said. "I want to know everything."

Izaya nodded. He then reached out. Hesitantly, the raven touched Shizuo's hand. The blond flinched away before returning the gesture. Izaya hooked his index finger around Shizuo's.

"I'll tell you. Everything." The raven said.

Shizuo nodded. "Have you called your family yet?"

"...No. I took a shower and went to sleep. I'm hungry too."

"Why didn't you call them? That should have been your first thought!"

"My first thought was you—and don't you dare question it."

"...Fine. But you need to call them. You need to let them know you're alive."

Izaya stared then glanced to the side. "It's only been a few months for us, but it's been ten years for them. It'll be like getting a call from a ghost."

"That's no excuse. You need to call them." Shizuo glowered. "There is no reason why we should be arguing on this. Do it, you dummy."

"I'm the dummy? Says the one who was a D-grade average in high school."

"I got B's and C's, what are you even on about?"

"Liar."

"I'm not lying!"

"I remember your test scores."

"You do not! That was fives years ago."

"Now who's the dummy? It's actually fifteen, nearly sixteen years ago based on the calendar."

"I'll hit you."

Izaya glared. Shizuo glared right back.

Then they both shared a chuckle.


I STARTED THIS FOUR FUCKING YEARS AGO AND AM ONLY NOW GETTING TO THE ENDZONE?! HOW FUCKING LONG DID I PROCRASTINATE FOR IT TO TAKE THAT FUCKING LONG?! FUCK!

One more chapter, motherfuckers.