A small knock came from the door, making Izaya let out a screech. Shizuo quickly flung his head around, ready to scare the living spirit out of who wanted to disturb them; that dared frighten Izaya.

The door opened, and a brown-haired head poked through. "Good morning," Shinra smiled, finally entering and closing the door behind him. He didn't even seem to notice the poisonous glare Shizuo was throwing his way; that babbling doctor was always so oblivious to those things.

"Ah, why hello there Izaya! Got great news for you!" Either he didn't see the tears, or didn't pay much mind to them, as he didn't know what to do. Shizuo understood, Shinra didn't know what he had been crying about, for all he knew, he was crying about pain, or being touched; it was always hard to tell. But Shizuo swore to himself that he'd be sure he knew how to tell the difference, and be able to comfort him.

"You could've called first," Shizuo snapped, turning back to raven who seemed to be uncomfortable, once again. Shizuo was even continuing the pets, guess Shinra really put a scare into him.

"My phone died," he simply waved, that smile quickly returning to his face. "Anywho, the good news is I can get Izaya out of here in two days."

"Two days?" Shizuo smiled. A part of him really wanted to ask what took the doctor so long, but considering how they were nearly unable to get Izaya out of the hospital altogether made him shut his mouth. This was a miracle, and he wasn't going to question it.

"Thank god," he sighed, allowing his massage, or 'pets' to run smoother then a few moments before. He could feel Izaya slowly mend back to the way he was before the doctor rudely interrupted, but his mouth remained closed, and his eyes remained sealed with no curved smiles. It saddened Shizuo a bit, he really hoped Izaya would be happy with the news, guess he was wrong.

"Did you hear that Izaya?" Shizuo gently cooed, not letting his eyes off the pale face. "We'll be completely safe once we reach Shinra's." Izaya didn't answer him, even when he waited for another good five minutes to pass. The blond knew he wasn't sleeping, as he felt his breath still uneven. God-dammit, he wished he could slap Shinra right now.

"Well...," Shinra trailed off, smile wavering a bit. It was obvious he was expecting a cheer, a smile, something that showed Izaya was excited. Shizuo was shooting him the 'good-job' look, but he, as always, didn't seem to understand what he meant.

"Is there anything else?" Shizuo had to do his best not to snap at him again.

"Oh right, a psychiatrist is being administered." Shizuo raised a questioning eyebrow. Shinra knew he didn't know most medical terms, he wasn't the brightest crayon in the box. "Someone who sees how mentally stable Izaya is, and gives him medicine from there."

"Medicine? Medicine for what?" He couldn't help but ask, completely baffled with the concept. Izaya's been on enough drugs, including ones that purposely caused agonizing pain to the nervous system. There was no way he was going to allow these people give him more drugs to mess him up.

"No, I don't want him on anything else, he's been far through enough," Shizuo growled, taking a protective step towards the raven.

"I know he has," Shinra quickly brought up, crossing his arms with a disapproving look on his face. "But it was part of the deal we made. We can take Izaya out, as long as an educated psychiatric keeps tabs on him. They don't want him going, insane or anything..." Shinra trailed off, his face saddening at the comment. Shizuo knew he wasn't too happy being forced to say that, but it was the reality he had to speak. There was no use in lying when everything was this messed up.

"... What kind of medicine will it be?"

Shinra shrugged, adjusting his glasses. "Depends on the patient's condition. But none of the medicine will harm him, don't worry. These were tested and approved." Shizuo couldn't help but scowl, wanting to kick something right now. Yeah, like they hadn't been wrong in the past, he wanted to spit in their faces.

"I-I don't want Izaya on them," he sighed, letting his gaze shift to the raven. He was shocked to see his eyes opened slightly, staring up at him as if he had been watching him the whole time. But that only made his decision firmer. "I couldn't do that to you. Isn't there anyway we can just 'say' he took the pills?"

"I wish it were that easy," Shinra sighed, taking his glasses off and rubbing his eyes. "You could get arrested for faking. You can't afford that on your record, and I can't afford that." Shizuo clenched his teeth, not even realizing he had stopped the soothing pets for Izaya.

"It's okay," Izaya's voice suddenly spoke up, shocking both Shinra and Shizuo. They turned to him, eyes wide to see him still gazing at Shizuo with those half-opened eyes. "I'll take them Shizu-chan, as long, as long as..." he trailed off, eyes down-casting a bit. He seemed saddened, depressed, dark. It sent shivers down the two's spines, unable to even breath. "As long as it keeps you guys out of trouble..." Whatever he was going to say was lost, and the blond knew it. He wanted to know what his thoughts were, to probe his mind like Izaya always probed theirs, but he was always too unreadable, especially now.

"Are you sure?" Shizuo asked in the soothed tone, beginning his petting massage once again. The raven's breathing sped up a bit as he leaned into the massage, his mouth remaining slightly opened like before .

"Y-yeah... well, they won't hurt me, right?" Even Shinra could hear the fear present in Izaya's voice. It was truthfully unwavering.

"No no," Shinra quickly added, clapping his hands together. "These drugs just help calm the mind's thoughts so you don't start hallucinating and whatnot. Kind of like ADHD pills in a sense." Izaya remained silent for a moment, as if trying to take this all in. Shizuo really wondered if Izaya knew what ADHD was, considering he only had ten years of education. Ahh, Shizuo was going to be sure he'd find someone to help him with that later.

"Okay... as long as they don't mess with you guys," Izaya quietly muffled, his body slowly going limb. The blond knew he was beginning to drift to sleep, and couldn't help but smile. Shinra opened his mouth to say something, but Shizuo shot him a huge glare, silencing him instantly. Within a few minutes, the raven was softly slumbering, cuddling with the side of Shizuo's hand. The bumbling doctor slowly walked up to them, being careful to keep his distance away from Izaya so he wouldn't startle him.

"You know, most people after being kidnapped for so long can't even dream of being touched after just a few days," Shinra warmly smiled, that look of pure love present on his face once more. "You're lucky, Shizuo." The blond raised a questioning eyebrow, seeming to be completely confused by his rambling. But he could tell it was heart-full, that he really meant what he was saying, so he allowed the doctor to continue.

"Izaya seems to trust you, and only after, how long has it been, a week and a half? Something like that."

"Trust?" Shizuo couldn't help but chuckle, not believing what he just said. "How the hell can he trust me after I didn't listen to him?" He snapped, though careful to keep his voice low so he wouldn't stir the small teen.

"That doesn't matter to him Shizuo," Shinra clarified, silencing the brute. "Just look at the way he's leaning into your hand. He wants to trust you, he wants to be able to return things back to normal." Shizuo gazed back at the raven, trying to see what Shinra was seeing. The blond wasn't a doctor, he didn't see the same things Shinra did. "Just look at the way his lips are gently curved, almost into a smile."

A smile? Taking a closer look, he could see the beginning of a genuine, pleased smile. For once, he felt like laughing at himself and his owns stupidity. Izaya was really trying his best to cling to Shizuo, it was just... hard for him. God, his feelings were conflicted now.

"You mean a lot to him, don't you forget that... I bet he literally doesn't want to go on without you." Shizuo turned to Shinra in complete shock at the accusation, wanting to say something, but kept his mouth shut. Could that be true? When he, Shizuo was so depressed, he had absolutely nothing left keeping him there. One of his old friends helped delude his mind from that fact, as he figured out a few days after she left. Izaya probably didn't have anything... anything at all-

No, no way. Those cuts on his wrists must've been from- Oh god, oh god, he felt like he could throw up. Then again, Shizuo had done the same thing during his depression. But thinking about the small raven doing it just killed something inside him.

A few minutes passed in silence, as the two of them watched the small boy slumber. Every now and then, Shizuo would steal a glance over at the doctor. He didn't know how to explain this, but there was something sad in his eyes. It was there since the first time Shinra had come to see him in the guest-waiting room as well. It was as if he was harboring a deep sorrow he didn't even want to utter, and it was beginning to eat him alive.

But Shizuo didn't say anything. He didn't want to bring a whole storm to the doctor and risk waking Izaya. Seeing the doctor cry might make him sad or unnerved, and he didn't want to risk that. Izaya was literally his whole world to him right now, and he was determined to make him happy, not sad.

"Well, I better get going and leave you two," Shinra sighed, trotting over to the door. "Remember, two days."

The first day went by rather quick, quicker then Shizuo would've anticipated. Izaya mainly slept through the day, waking up for a bit to feel the gentle massage Shizuo always give him. They'd talk for a bit, mostly Shizuo talking about how he would never let any harm befall Izaya, and how much fun they'd have at Shinra's. Izaya mostly listened, asking a few questions here and there, which Shizuo was relieved for. At least Izaya was attempting to reach-out more.

Then the next day came; the last day in this hell hole, as Shizuo put it. Unfortunately, that also meant they'd have to talk to the psychiatrist today. Shizuo really didn't want too, but he had too. Dammit.

"Shizu-chan?" Izaya's small voice came from the small bed, making the blond quickly zip away from the white board filled with plans and schedules and slid to Izaya's side. The raven seemed a bit shocked and scared, staring into Shizuo's mocha eyes with trembling eyes. It made him feel terrible.

"S-sorry, I was checking the board," he honestly replied, nervously scratching the back of his head. "I wanted to be sure we were only gonna be visited by the psychiatrist today." Slowly, he reached his hand out, and was shocked to see Izaya lean his head to the side a bit, a soft smile enveloping his lips. Izaya was really beginning to love this, wasn't he? Usually he'd just watch Shizuo, as if thinking he was going to hit him instead. Now, he was welcoming it, nearly asking for it.

Was he really slowly, but surely, breaking the broken Izaya and reforming his original self?

"It's okay Shizu-chan," Izaya smiled even more, his eyes closed as he leaned against the strong hand slowly caressing his hair. "I-I was just worried-," he stopped himself. Shizuo wanted to ask what he was about to say, but found it better just to keep his mouth shut. He didn't want to upset the poor little boy. If he didn't want to talk about it, he didn't have to. Though, it made Shizuo a bit unnerved. Was he afraid Shizuo left him? Or was he afraid the people were trying to take Shizuo away from him?

The morning went by like every other morning. Izaya fell asleep once more, and when he woke up between naps, the two of them would talk. This rolled them into the afternoon, and then the evening. They were told the psychiatrist was running late, which they really didn't care for. He was going to be the last obstacle to overcome before they were able to set Izaya free, and really free. When there was a knock at the door, Shizuo mentally shouted 'finally!' and turned to wave the person in. But he didn't dare leave Izaya's side; he never left Izaya's side when strangers were in there.

"Good evening," the person greeted, bowing as he entered. Shizuo was about to exchange the greeting, when he felt a hand quickly grasp his. It nearly made him jump, as he didn't even except it at all. He could feel the frail-warming skin that tremble against his and the IV wire bouncing against his arm; it was no doubt Izaya.

But Izaya willingly grabbing onto him like that? He could hardly stand him being close to him, yet grabbed into him? Guess the past few days have worked, making Izaya feel more comfortable with him. But the question still remained: What was scaring him to the point he'd willingly hold onto someone?

Quickly, he turned to the raven, seeing his eyes were locked-onto the man who was staring right back at Izaya. There was no expression on the psychiatrist's face, but he was feeling really uneasy about this. Izaya's breathing had increased, and his trembling was back, like the first day he had arrived at the hospital.

Gently, he wrapped his fingers around Izaya's and squeezed back. "What is it?" Shizuo whispered down to Izaya, only loud enough for the raven to hear. Izaya tried to mouth something back, but his trembling made it nearly impossible to read.

"Ah, don't mind me, I'm not going to hurt you," the psychiatrist said as he noticed Izaya's shaking form. "Then again, it's only natural to fear those you do not know. But you don't have to fear me, I'm just here to make sure you're doing alright, mentally-wise." Shizuo really hated this guy already. He sounded too cocky and judgmental, as if he knew everything that was going on. These people made Shizuo want to punch their lights out, especially the people who made Izaya scared like this.

"Tch, what are you, a preacher? Just do your job and get out of here," Shizuo snapped, fire set in his eyes. If this man tried anything, he was going to sever his head. The psychiatrist seemed a little taken-back for a moment, studying Shizuo over. He didn't seem to know who he was. Heh, what a mistake.

"And you might be, whom? No one's supposed to be allowed in a room with a guest in this situation." Oh, so now this man was testing Shizuo? Oh, that was one of the worst mistakes he could make.

"For one, he's a patient dumbass," Shizuo cursed. "And second, I have clearance from the head manager himself. I'm Shizuo Heiwajima." The psychiatrist seemed taken-aback, staring at him with wide eyes. He could see the fear wash over him, and the shame began welling in his heart. Though he was very pleased he was able to make someone like this guy scared of his name.

Izaya seemed to notice the man's reaction, and glanced back up at Shizuo. He looked at Shizuo with sad eyes, as if he could tell this was upsetting him. He had been doing that the whole time they were there, watching, studying Shizuo. Gently, Shizuo could feel a slight squeeze on his hand, which was Izaya's way of saying that he was there, and he needed to calm down.

"Just, please, hurry. I don't want to end up getting anxious... I might start throwing stuff," he lied. He wanted to put a scare into him, and hoped he was doing a good job at it. The psychiatrist gave a fake-annoyed smile before grabbing the clipboard next to the white board and clicking the pen.

"Well, I just have a few questions to ask Izaya."

"It's Mr. Orihara to you," he growled. He didn't know why it mattered so much, the others called him Izaya, but when this man said it, it was in a slur; a slur he wanted to punch out of his voice.

"Fine, Mr. Orihara, I have a few questions I need to ask you, is that okay?" Izaya looked from Shizuo to the doctor, as if he wanted to say something. Shizuo wished Izaya was able to, so he would know this man's secrets, but the raven just nodded.

"Have you had any hallucinations since you've been in here?" Izaya shook his head no, gripping Shizuo's hand a bit more. The psychiatric looked at Shizuo, as if he wanted to confirm it with him. Shizuo wanted to snap at him, but just decided to shake his head as well. He didn't want to lose his temper, not when Izaya was still in here.

"Okay, you obviously have trouble with trust issues, but, have began opening up to someone, I see," the man said, referring to the two of them holding hands. Shizuo didn't like the look on the man's face as he stared at their intertwined fingers, it was as if he was disgusted.

"Of course, I'm practically his brother. I protect him from scum that want to miss-treat him." Shizuo made sure to say that in a strong voice, backed up with his brute strength. The psychiatrist jumped a little, as if he expected to see a chair flying. Why was part of him enjoying this?

"Do you feel any pain? Like needles to the heart, or your thoughts coming at you all at once?" Shizuo felt his blood run-cold, feeling Izaya squeeze Shizuo's hand, and watching him shakingly nod his head.

This seemed to light something in the psychiatrist's eyes, making a huge grin cross his face. "Ahh, I see. What do these thoughts tell you?" Shizuo could feel Izaya trying to scout his body closer to his own, small whimpers and sobs trying their best to mask themselves. He took a glance down, freezing at what he saw. Izaya's eyes were closed, tears flowing down, eyelids trembling as if in pain, and his breathing had increased even more.

"Do they remind you of what happened? Do they remind you of the night your parents were murdered before he took you, the night he first beat you, the night he first destroyed your whole child-"

"SHUT THE HELL UP!" Shizuo screamed, stomping his foot and throwing his hand down on the chair he had been using. The strength created a dent, bending the metal half-way down its original size. He had enough. He wanted this guy out right now, or he would literally kill him. "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ANYWAY?" The man was cowering down by now, tripping over his own feet and falling flat on his butt. The monster clenched the chair even harder, bending the metal even more out of shape.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I was just doing my job!" He cried, trying to scout towards the door. Shizuo had no intentions of letting him leave.

Suddenly the door swung open, nearly making Shizuo throw the chair at the new person, but stopped as he saw it was just Celty. She immediately ran in-front of the psychiatrist, waving her arms as if she was trying to calm a horse, showing her phone to Shizuo.

'Calm down Shizuo, whatever he said, he didn't mean it. He was just being human, like you always say.'

Humans... they really were pathetic. All they caused was pain and sorrow, which is why he was happy being called a monster. Slowly, he took a deep breath, releasing the chair. Celty immediately began writing something else, which Shizuo wasn't interested in.

"Just... get him out of here." Celty didn't even question him or argue, she helped the man up, and escorted him out. The blond waited for them to leave before turning back to Izaya, seeing his trembling-form trying to hide itself in Shizuo's arm. It made him laugh a bit, clearing some dark clouds from his mind.

"You can't hide against my arm silly," he slightly giggled, trying his best to get rid of the anger. Izaya just shook, sobbing even harder. Shizuo really didn't know what to do at this point, Izaya needed him, he was breaking-down.

Without even thinking, he gently slid one arm under his back and pulled him against his chest into a reassuring hug. It hurt his back, as he had to be sure he didn't lift the small body too high off the bed. But once again, he was completely fine with it. The small raven didn't even seem to fight, he seemed too scared to do anything except for cry, so Shizuo sat there with him, crying with him.

He didn't even know when Izaya had fallen asleep, and didn't even remember falling asleep with his head against Izaya's chest...