Orihara Izaya reborn!
Orihara Izaya
It was you, wasn't it?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Oh my, what's this? A name I haven't seen in some time! There were rumors you were dead!
Orihara Izaya
I'm not here to mess around. I just want answers.
Orihara Izaya
I already know it was you. I just want you to admit it.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
You'll have to be more specific. I have no idea what you're talking about.
Orihara Izaya
Drop the act. You're the only one with the resources to get a hold of that recording. So why did you send it to him?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
You needed help.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Honestly I'm offended you didn't come to me right away.
Orihara Izaya
But why him?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
You know why. I know a lot about you, Orihara. I've always known how you really felt about that man. I'm honestly shocked it isn't common knowledge. It was too obvious, really. Also I've grown fond of you. I wasn't about to let someone like that try to kick you when you were down.
Orihara Izaya
That was personal. This whole thing is personal. You really had to go and make a physical copy of that and send it out into the world?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
I suppose that was a tad reckless of me… But I had my doubts he would have bothered to look if I sent it via chat or email.
Orihara Izaya
Oh, "a tad reckless"?! How did you even know it existed in the first place?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
I was looking for you after I heard what happened during your fight with Heiwajima. I wanted to see if you had survived. While searching I happened to notice someone else digging up your information, so I snooped a bit into his files and found it.
Orihara Izaya
…Were there others?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
A couple. I removed them. Don't worry, they're gone for good and before you ask, no, they don't exist anywhere other than where I found them. And for once I will apologize for invading your privacy like that. Believe it or not I actually do understand how violating this must feel for you. But it had to be done or else he would have won. You weren't ready for him.
Orihara Izaya
You don't get to make that call for me.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
I suppose you're right. On a moral standpoint it was wrong of me. But where would you be if I didn't do anything?
Orihara Izaya
I hope you aren't expecting me to thank you.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Of course not. You're welcome.
Orihara Izaya
Fuck off.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
I missed you, too. Come back to chat soon. ;)
…
…
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Orihara…?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Are you so angry that you forgot to log out?
…
Tsukumoya Shinichi
So careless.
Orihara Izaya
Hello? This is Heiwajima Shizuo. Sorry for intruding but Izaya looked upset and left this open when he walked away… Who are you?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Oh hello there Heiwajima! It's nice to meet you, I am Tsukumoya Shinichi. I guess you could say I'm in a similar line of work as Orihara among other things. Oh, here, let me make a quick username adjustment. I'm sure Orihara won't mind. He left the chat open afterall! I'd love this conversation to be a reminder that he should be more careful.
Heiwajima Shizuo
Ok?
Heiwajima Shizuo
Oh. Thanks. So you're a friend of his?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
I don't think Orihara would call us friends. More like… business contacts. Of course we've been known to get off topic and discuss other things.
Heiwajima Shizuo
I remember now. I thought the name was familiar, Izaya was reading a book with your name on it. Are you an author too?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Ah yes! I am! Orihara always has some interesting input to add about my writing. He's also my biggest critic.
Heiwajima Shizuo
So it was you that gave me that recording then?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Not me directly, but I arranged for it, yes.
Heiwajima Shizuo
How did you know I would help?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
I didn't know for sure, but I know you don't like violence. I also knew he wanted your help since he contacted you before I decided to send it out.
Heiwajima Shizuo
How do you know all that? You a hacker or stalker or something?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Oh no, no, it's nothing like that. Just an observer in a somewhat similar vein to Orihara himself, though I usually avoid getting directly involved like he does. I only did this time because I enjoy our chats and sometimes as smart as he is, he's also an idiot and gets himself into dangerous situations. I just don't want to lose him, so I overstepped a boundary. I assure you, there's no malicious intent behind my actions.
Heiwajima Shizuo
Okay… I guess I'm going to have to take your word for it. Seems like you know him pretty well.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
He's valuable to me. Please take good care of him.
Heiwajima Shizuo
I will. I know he won't say it, but thank you for what you did. You saved him.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Ah, but you did the real work! All I could do was hope I was right about the type of person you are. I'm glad I was right.
Heiwajima Shizuo
Either way, thank you.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
You're welcome. You should check on him. I imagine he is very upset right now.
Heiwajima Shizuo
Yeah, I'd better go. How do I log out of this?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Just leave it up. It'll be funny.
Heiwajima Shizuo
Good luck getting him to talk to you again.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
He'll be back when he's ready. It was good to finally talk to you.
Heiwajima Shizuo
Likewise. Good night.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Goodnight.
Leaning back in Izaya's desk chair, Shizuo half smiled. Izaya had never mentioned this person before but it was nice to find out there was someone else who had been looking out for him. Although this Shinichi guy did seem to enjoy pushing his buttons and was clearly good at it based on the way Izaya had angrily stomped off to his bedroom.
It had already been three days since Jiro's death and Shizuo had immediately noticed a change in Izaya. The moment he woke the next morning he seemed lighter. Although he was clearly in a lot of pain, Shizuo could tell mentally he was feeling much better. His relief had been palpable when Shinra deemed them healthy enough to walk out the door with the promise that they would both get plenty of rest for the next two weeks.
They ended up back at Shizuo's place that morning. With it being closer to Shinra's, it was easier just in case Shizuo had any complications. Shortly after settling in Izaya had gotten a call from Shiki going over a few final details of the information Izaya had passed on. Shiki had also confirmed Jiro's remains had been disposed of which seemed to further improve Izaya's mood.
Upon hanging up Izaya leaned back against the wall and laughed. Shizuo knew what that laugh meant. Izaya sagged against the wall and slid to the ground in relief and Shizuo knew it was because he was finally free. The knowledge that Jiro was out there waiting had been hanging over him for years but now Izaya could finally put it behind him. It was the closure he'd needed all along.
They ended up spending two nights in Shizuo's apartment, their days spent resting as Shinra ordered. Thankfully Shizuo seemed to be healing well without issues, so the following afternoon they decided to head over to Izaya's place so he could start putting his life back together.
Izaya seemed happy to be home, immediately settling back in and working at his computer. He spent some time organizing emails and files, checking message boards, and getting caught up with the local news. But after some time Shizuo had sensed he was getting agitated and watched in confusion as he stepped away from his desk and disappeared into the bedroom. Shizuo had thought it was strange until he read the conversation he'd left up.
Clearly Izaya was upset about this Shinichi guy getting involved, and Shizuo could see why it would be so violating for him, but at the same time Shizuo was thankful to the guy for essentially giving him the push he needed to accept Izaya's request for help. If he had just ignored Izaya like he'd originally planned…
Shizuo shuddered at the thought of what could have happened to Izaya if he hadn't stepped up to be his bodyguard.
And now they were dating. It still felt surreal when he looked back on everything leading up to this point. He'd hated Izaya for years only to find out Izaya had intentionally manufactured and nurtured that hatred in him out of a fear of being ignored. It was frustrating to think how much could have been avoided if he'd known all of this from the beginning, yet at the same time knowing he probably wouldn't have taken the time to understand it all back then.
Thinking about the complexity of it all messed with his head. It was much easier to focus on the outcome rather than the "what if"s. Shizuo took a slow breath, trying to ignore the growing urge for a cigarette. Shinra had strongly suggested he quit smoking after his lung collapsed as it put him at risk of it happening again. Izaya had been a pretty good distraction the past couple days, or at least kissing him was. It was almost as addicting as the nicotine but without the potential lung damage.
Shizuo stood from the desk, deciding he should check on Izaya anyway and make sure he was okay. He quietly ascended the stairs towards the door to Izaya's bedroom which hung open. Shizuo cautiously stepped inside, eyes immediately drawn to the lump under the covers in the center of the bed.
"You okay?" Shizuo asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
The lump let out a long sigh and curled up tighter.
"You left that chatroom open."
Izaya stiffened. "Fuck. I won't hear the end of that."
"Yeah, he said something like that."
"You talked to him?" Izaya bolted upright, his hair slightly messy as the covers slid down past his shoulders.
"You stormed off all angry, how could I not check to see what upset you?" Shizuo shrugged, "And your conversation involved me anyway. Sorry for not asking though."
"It's fine…" Izaya rubbed his eyes and flopped back down on his back, "it's just yet another thing for him to hold over my head."
"What do you mean?" Shizuo questioned, scooting closer.
"He's just… frustrating," Izaya admitted, "He's always miles ahead of me and he likes to rub it in my face. I don't even know who he really is, how old he is, I don't even know if he's actually a man like he says… hell I don't even know if he's human. He never leaves that chatroom."
"Well, he seems to still enjoy talking to you. And I remember you reading his book at my place so I have to assume you like talking to him too."
Izaya half smiled. "We have a lot in common but also disagree on some things. I do sometimes enjoy debating with him. And he's a good source of information when I am missing some pieces of a puzzle."
"He helped you in the end," Shizuo pointed out, "Even if it was an invasion of your privacy the intent seems to have been in the right place. Why didn't you ask him for help in the first place?"
"Because I knew if there was any evidence of what happened to me out in the world that he would find it. And I didn't want him to because he already makes me feel inadequate enough as it is… I should have known when you told me about the video that he was behind it. Or I guess I should say I kind of did know, but didn't want to face the truth about it."
"Do you think he really did delete the other recordings?"
"I just have to trust he's not lying," Izaya said, "He's never tried to blackmail me before, so I doubt he'd start now. But even so, there's nothing I could do if he saved them somewhere. I just don't think I want to know what else he saw. There was… so much that could have been recorded without me knowing."
Shizuo considered that for a moment. "I doubt there was anything worse than what he sent me. I imagine he would have chosen the worst of it to convince me to help."
"You could be right," Izaya conceded, "I… really don't want to think about it… but now that he's confirmed there was more I won't be able to stop thinking. It's just one more thing about this whole situation that I have no control over and I don't like it."
"But other than that you're okay?"
"I will be," Izaya sighed, "I think I just need more rest."
"I bet you're glad to be back in your own bed," Shizuo suggested, changing the subject.
"I'm glad I get to share it with you tonight," Izaya smiled, seeming happy to move away from the previous conversation.
"Me too," Shizuo grinned, hovering over Izaya and caging him in with his arms, "How are your injuries by the way?"
"Not terrible," Izaya replied, his hands absentmindedly reaching up and raking along Shizuo's sides, "Those painkillers Shinra gave me work really well. What about you?"
"I really only notice it when I'm moving around a lot."
"Good. I'm sorry I dragged you into all of this."
Shizuo shrugged. "I'm not. I never would have learned how you really felt about me and why you were such an asshole for so long."
"Am I not now?" Izaya chuckled.
"Don't get me wrong, you're still a smug jerk, but at least I know most of that is an act. The real Izaya is much better."
"Oh? Describe 'the real Izaya' for me. I'm curious what he's like."
"Well, he's funny, smart, resilient, protective of people he likes, and he's not a bad cook either," Shizuo leaned down to kiss the side of Izaya's neck, just where he liked it most, "Do you want me to continue?"
Izaya hummed his approval, tilting his head to the side to allow Shizuo easier access.
"He is also very driven and can be thoughtful when he wants to be," Shizuo trailed a few kisses up the side of Izaya's neck towards his jaw, feeling the way Izaya shuddered beneath him. "He has good taste in movies and I also happen to think it's cute how when we're sleeping he presses really close to me, almost like he really enjoys physical affection."
"Oh please, you're the one who's always holding me so tight I couldn't get away if I tried."
"But you don't try, do you?"
"It's winter and you're warm. We will have to see what happens in the summer."
"You get cold because you're so skinny," Shizuo teased.
"Excuse me, I was practically bedridden for three months and haven't exactly had the time to work on building my muscle mass back."
"You barely had any to begin with. You've always been scrawny."
"I can't change my genetics."
"I'm not asking you to change it, just saying that's why you're cold all the time."
"Well then I guess it's good I have you to use as a furnace tonight."
"So you're really going with that as your excuse? You're telling me that's the only reason you lean into me every time I'm standing close to you? Or why you hold my hand? Or why you shiver a little bit when I kiss you?" Shizuo whispered those last words into Izaya's ear, placing a light kiss just under it to elicit another shiver from the smaller man to prove his point.
"Yeah, I'll admit I like it," Izaya said, his fingers threading through Shizuo's hair.
Shizuo hummed against Izaya's neck, trailing more small kisses up his jaw. "Good. I do too," Shizuo whispered, shifting to capture Izaya's lips in a soft kiss.
Immediately Izaya responded, wrapping his arms around Shizuo's neck and pulling him closer to deepen the kiss. Despite being underneath Shizuo, there was no mistake that Izaya was the one in control of this moment with the forcefulness of his movements. Izaya playfully nipped at Shizuo's lower lip, his tongue flashing over the bite instantly after in a not so subtle hint that he wanted more. Shizuo submitted, allowing his lips to part just enough for Izaya to push forward.
Fingers found their way back into Shizuo's hair, gripping tight as Izaya slipped his tongue past Shizuo's lips. Izaya kissed him with a sort of hunger that made Shizuo want to shudder. Nobody had ever wanted him so fervently the way Izaya did. He could feel it in the way Izaya seemed to savor the taste of him, his entire body arching up to meet Shizuo's in an almost desperate attempt to get even closer. It drove Shizuo wild as he almost lost himself in the way Izaya overwhelmed all of his senses–the lust he could see in his eyes, the sound of the moans that were muffled by his own mouth, his touch, his scent, and his taste.
Shizuo's hand slipped under Izaya's shirt, grazing over his abdomen until his finger tips traced over a bandage and he suddenly snapped back to his senses.
"Careful," Shizuo mumbled, pulling away, "we really should rest for now and not go too far."
Izaya let out a whine in protest as he flopped back down, face flushed and arms out to his sides as he attempted to catch his breath. "Fine," he exclaimed disappointedly.
"Trust me, I want it too, but I also don't want Shinra to get pissed at us if one of us gets hurt fooling around. Let's give it maybe a couple days at least?"
"Yeah, yeah," Izaya rolled his eyes, "But to be fair you started it by teasing me."
"You like it," Shizuo smirked, "You'd probably love it if I kept teasing you and drove you crazy for a few days."
"Care to give it a try and see which of us gives in first?" Izaya suggested, a glint in his eyes that suggested he wanted to make this difficult.
"Challenge accepted," Shizuo agreed.