Disclamer: I don't own Durarara! or any of the alteratives.
Hachimenroppi continued his trek home after that outburst at Heiwajima's. The streets lights were the only thing illuminating the area from darkness. The moon was covered by some clouds and made the sky dark. Almost like his mind right now. Granted it did get hit by a vending machine and the aching is still present, but he refuses to be pitied upon any more today.
Maybe I was too harsh on the kid, but he was just so… so… ugh I don't know anymore! He pisses me off. No… not that, but something doesn't sit well in my stomach. Acting all caring and respecting, he doesn't know me. Not one bit, so why, why did he bother. Ugh I'm so confused! Questions continuously pop up about the young Heiwajima. Too many emotions were bubbling up inside him and all he could think about was all the stress he was feeling, the urge to cut again. That's when he remembered. Shit, I left my book behind…"
It would be awkward going back after shouting at all of them. He hoped that no one cared about it or didn't notice it. But likely that wouldn't be the case. Hmm, well that will keep the kid away hopefully.
"Out for a midnight stroll Roppi-chan?" Someone broke his train of thought. The one person he really didn't want to see right now.
"What do you want Izaya?" The older Orihara was sitting on the guardrail wearing is usual grin. He was holding a plastic bag which is probably whatever he bought himself for dinner. Roppi can only frown at the thought of seeing him when he most wanted to be alone.
"Come on, I went to the library to check on you and heard you got laid off today and that Shizu-chan threw a vending machine at you not long ago. And knowing you, you probably went cutting again. Isn't it natural for family to worry about a sad injured relative?"
"Not when it's you, now buzz off." He continued on home, but Izaya slipped his arm around his cousin's shoulder and walked with him. It's true that his frustration earlier on in the night was due to him losing his job. Money has gotten tight and businesses have been laying off new workers to keep afloat. Roppi was just one of the victims and prefered not talking about it. Today wasn't his day and nightfall didn't help any more, especially talking with his know-it-all cousin.
"Now why'd you gotta be like that? I'm trying to comfort you after that outburst. It's not like you to show emotions, let alone being mad and shouting." It was true about what Izaya had just mentioned. Roppi never liked showing his emotions. It was a sign of weakness and vulnerability. For someone to show their true feelings to the world can also result in others manipulating it
Damn you Izaya, you just have to know that. Wait, how would he know? Unless...
"Now how would you know that? Unless of course you're still stalking Heiwajima even after toying with him." Izaya stopped for a second, but then started dancing around Roppi laughing.
"Oh now you're being ridiculous, he must have hit your head harder than I thought. Why would I ever willingly visit the protozoan who I hate the most?" I wonder too, but I know you do. "As I said, I wanna see you home safe so you wouldn't just go and try to kill yourself."
"If I'm gonna do it, falling off a building isn't my first choice. I'm not those suicide girls you toy with for a hobby."
"Like your's is any different, I'm surprised you haven't gone into shock from blood lost."
"You'd be surprised, you have to lose two pints of blood in one sitting to go into shock, 5 or 6 to die. I know I cut a lot, but not enough to lose that much."
"You sound as if you want to though. But of course that's just your human instinct stopping you from dying. It is only natural. You say you are a monster for your love for spilling blood, but you are still human. And that's exactly what I adore about you. Try all you want to rid that label, but it will only come back to haunt you more." The other fisted his hands so tightly his knuckles started turning white shaking in frustration as he continued to hear that he was what he hated.
"Izaya, for once in your goddam life, shut up and leave me the hell alone!" Roppi flipped his hood over his head and started walked faster to get away from the troll. Dammit Dammit Dammit, I feel so annoyed and irritated right now. All of these people constantly annoying me. Human, I hate them all. And I don't want to be associated with their filth. Blood, I need to release more.
The informant slipped in front of him and held out a plastic container holding sushi from Russia Sushi in front of him. His face more serious than playful.
"I really do mean it when I say I care. Really you're probably the only one I truly care about in this town. You don't have to accept it, but do know that I will take you seriously when you need me to. But just for tonight, I only ask that you take the box and eat everything, not toss it out. Besides, it'd be a waste of good otoro if you did." Roppi stared back at his cousin knowing what he is referring to. Unpleasant thoughts started to resurfaced from years of burying it. But he will admit, one of the things he and Izaya had in common was their love for otoro. He sighed and took the container.
"You do realize that you just prioritized me over Kururi and Mairu, right? I'm flattered and all, but I would assume your sisters would come before your cousin," Roppi jested to lighten the mood and show his appreciation. It's not much, but thanks a secret kept for only them two, they both know this is the best the ruby eyed can muster. The other laughed at the comment and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"They got each other so I don't need to worry about them too much. You, on the other hand, need some sort of companion and I'm all you got until you start letting people in again," he replied and started walking the opposite direction towards Shinjuku. He did turn around again though to say one last remark to his mopey cousin.
"I know how you feel about my beloved humans, but there's a beauty to them; not all of them are as you think they are." He looks off into the window of the truffles store he was next to. "They are like chocolates from a gift box really. They all come from the same cocoa plant and put in the same box, but each one has a different flavor. Some are too bitter, some are plain and mundane, some look good but are filled with something disgusting, and some are too sweet to enjoy, but there is always that one piece that has a nice balance and becomes your favorite of the entire batch; whether you know it or not. The problem is that everyone's taste buds are different, so it's up to experimenting and trying them all to find out which one is just right. It could be the first you try or the last, but either way, you do get a chance to taste it. That is if you keep trying."
"Are you getting somewhere with this?" Hachimenroppi arched an eyebrow and waited for him to get to a point to Izaya's rambling.
"What I'm saying is that you will taste the bad ones before you get the good ones. But if you stop at the bad ones, you'd never know if the next one you try will be your favorite."
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"You'll just have to figure it out yourself Roppi-chan. Well I'll leave you alone to think about it. Bye now." And on that note, Izaya walked back to his apartment in the next district over, leaving his cousin to stand there trying to understand what he just said. And that was all he thought about on the way home. Once he got into his apartment, he sat at the table and took out a piece of the fancy tuna over rice and inspects it.
Chocolates huh. Well you do have a point, but it's not easy to keep tasting when every other one you tried before were disgusting and ruined your pallet. Not to mention they only got worse as you try another. I'm tired of it and gave up. His eyes trailed down to his wrist which was now exposed on the table. The neatly wrapped bandages visible and a certain spectacled face appeared in his mind.
Tsukishima… I admitted he was different from the rest of the humans, but even he would have secrets that would make him bitter too. Everyone has an innocent look up front until they get their way. But still… He popped a morsel into his mouth and savored the taste of it. Since I'm unemployed now, I guess I have more time to try again. He would be a good candidate since he has never heard of me or the rumors before. But should I? Hmm... Dammit Izaya, how do you clear up some confusions and then add more?
The otoro today a bit drier than usual. But even so, it didn't seem all that bad. Almost… comforting.
Yay we get to see Izaya. And well, perhaps some helpful advise for Roppi-kun to ponder over. I want to thank everyone for supporting me, I do notice when someone views this story and it makes my day to see the numbers. Though I do have a question for everyone that I forgot to ask, How am I doing with Tsuki's stuttering and about other's personality? Those's just a couple of my concerns for writing at the moment. But anyway thank you all for reading and hope to see you all in a month with chapter 6. Don't forget to ask any questions about the story or about anything at all and dont shy away from stating your own opinion, I won't hold it against you. Have a good day now!