Though Shizuo had no idea what most family meals were like, he was pretty sure that food fights were never part of a normal dinner, even though he was currently helping Atsuko clean up the remnants of the intense battle Hideaki had started, and managed to get both adults to participate in. In fact, Shizuo was still a bit confused on how he got warped into teaming up against the hyper little boy with his equally enthusiastic sister. So now, here he was, at the sink with his head under the faucet while Atsuko attempted to get the pudding she had made for dessert out of his hair.

"Eh, guess you never expected to have brown hair again, Shizuo?" Atsuko asked nervously. She hoped that he wouldn't be mad about the pudding that Hideaki flung at him. Well, at least it didn't get on the white button up part of his bartender get up.

"Not this way," Shizuo said, trying to crack his neck from being in the same position for a while, especially since that positing had his spine and neck bent so far down due to his height and the small sink. After he said this, he heard a sigh.

"Sorry," came a quiet reply from above him. After a moment he was pulled back up, his back cracking and his neck moving this way and that, as water dripped from his hair, only for it to be covered with a kitchen towel.

Shizuo dried his hair and glanced up, noticing that Atsuko was still there, but her baggy, stretched out sweater was missing, leaving her in only a black camisole. She was leaning against the kitchen counter, her arms crossed, head back, and legs slightly stretched out in front of her. She looked worn out and tired. When the hell did that happen? Shizuo thought.

"Uh, so, do you need anymore help cleaning up?" Shizuo felt obliged to ask; he didn't want to say good-bye just yet, he felt like he should be here if she needs it, and, judging by her current appearance, she shouldn't be left alone for a moment.

"No, I think that we've got everything, anything that we did miss will just be mopped up tomorrow when I clean house. But you're more than welcome to stay for a movie, if you don't mind me changing to some pajamas, though," Atsuko said, a soft smile returning to her face, as Shizuo's began to grow red. He would see a girl in her pajamas, and from the things Tom told him about women's sleepwear, it was often very skimpy. Shizuo could feel a nosebleed coming on. But Celty's words came back to mind, "Take up any offer she gives." So Shizuo nodded his head, trying in vain to hide the blush he could feel rising to his cheeks, and making Atsuko's smile broaden, "Great, why don't you pick the movie, I'll be right back!" And with that she spun around to a part of the apartment Shizuo had yet to venture to, where Atsuko's bedroom was.

Snapping out of his daze, he moved back to the living room and noticed that Hideaki was grinning from ear to ear, having heard what his sister just said. Shizuo sighed, his face getting even hotter.

"So, I guess I'm going to be put to bed in ten minutes, it's almost eight-thirty, my bed time. You and Atsuko get to watch a movie, like a date," Hideaki said, his grin stretching even more, his eyes gleaming. The older man couldn't help but wonder why this kid thought like Shinra, about his own older sister.

Luckily for Shizuo Atsuko called from her bedroom, "Hideaki, bedtime! Now!" Hideaki gave a disgruntled little noise, hopped off the couch and padded towards the same hallway Atsuko was down, probably his room. He heard Atsuko put the youngster to bed, a door closed, and feet padding back to him.

"I couldn't find where your movies were…" Shizuo said, keeping his eyes averted, but wanting to peek at what she was wearing. Temptation gave out when he heard her move closer to him, reaching behind the TV. …What was I expecting? She's the same girl who wears an oversized sweater and sneakers to work at a law office. Indeed, she wasn't wearing a nightgown, or short shorts as pajamas, but boys gym shorts and an oversized baseball tee with slippers, her hair still in a messy mop around her shoulders.

"Here ya go, why don't you pick one?" she said, handing him a giant binder filled with mainly horror movies, comedies, and action. Not one romantic movie, something that relieved Shizuo greatly. In the end he picked a movie called Hostel, and Atsuko eagerly put it in, apparently she really loved it.

The movie disturbed Shizuo, as it would most people, but he couldn't help but notice when Atsuko shrunk a little further into the couch cushions, so far, actually, she eventually had to start inching towards him, but not by much. He noticed that she never once turned away, closed her eyes, or jumped. In fact, other than moving closer to him, you'd think that watching people be tortured didn't affect her at all.

After the movie was done, Atsuko and Shizuo's hands were touching, but nothing else. Shizuo's eyes were starting to fall, and he felt like he just wanted to pass out, and, since the couch was so old, it was rather comfortable, and he felt something warm wrap around him. He closed his eyes fully, and heard a light giggle come from somewhere above him before the couch settled beside him and a small amount of pressure was added to his shoulder.

Opening his eyes, he turned his head slowly to a mop of black under his nose, he smelt green apples. Atsuko fell asleep against him, and when he tried to wake her up by wiggling his shoulder, he found that she was knocked out, dead to the world. It was the most awkward position he'd ever been in, but the warmest he'd felt in a long time. And for the first time he didn't go to bed alone, and it was the nicest feeling he'd had.

Until he heard a loud laugh that came from the direction of the bedrooms. Sighing, he shook his head and readjusted himself in a more comfortable position, closed his eyes, and fell asleep himself. He would deal with the awkwardness in the seemed