Chapter Twelve

A few days after graduation, Shizuo convinced Noelle to live with him, although the first time he tried to say it to her it didn't work out pretty well. He was a little embarrassed to say it in front of Shinra, who was with them through the entire time, so he stuttered a bit and a little while later he abruptly spilled the words. Of course, the recent doctor sniggered at his clumsiness and the brunette blushed deeply at his words. But nonetheless, she agreed, which surprised both he and Shinra.

Now it's been a month since she moved in with him, and he still find it hard to believe. She took on a part-time job at a bookstore, as she took care of the store. Shizuo, meanwhile, went into a string of jobs that seemed most unlikely. He got fired from three jobs in total due to his 'violent' nature, but soon he got a job as a bartender. His brother, Kasuka, visited him one day and gave him two boxes of bartender uniforms, so that he shouldn't change jobs from time to time. Noelle liked his change of wardrobe as she called it, what he refuses to be called at, sexy. They lived normally for a while until…

"IZAAAAYAAA!"

Noelle sat alone at the police box, looking very exhausted yet cheerful in her way. She knew Izaya didn't actually mean to frame him for that crime he put up with, but she trusted that man as much as she trusted Shizuo. The thought of them to make up as friends are too far and out of reach now...

After being called in by the police and that Shizuo was arrested for a crime she knew he didn't commit, she sat on the chair, her eyes droopy and ready to sleep. Few hours later, they let him go. The brunette stood up and tiredly smiled at him. "Let's go home, Shizu-chan." She whispered as she took his hand and dragged him outside. The blonde didn't say anything as they stopped when rain came pelting down. He didn't know what to say to her. He wanted to tell her he didn't do anything, but he can't find his voice to do so. The rain made their silence. Just as he was about to say something, someone came into view, holding an umbrella over him.

"Shizuo?" The man in the dreadlocks appeared to them with a knowing look. "Oh, Tom-san." He looked up with an expressionless face. The two acknowledged each other, even Noelle, and that night, he offered them a job. As his bodyguards.

~0~0~

Months passed and everything came back to normal. Izaya rarely went to Ikebukuro that much, Shinra took up underground doctoring, Celty and her usual coursing, Simon still with the sushi business, and Noelle and Shizuo as bodyguards for Tom, a debt collector. Although it was Shizuo who usually beat the crap out of their targets, Noelle's job is too sweet talk their way until they get the payment. Otherwise, they turn to the blonde bartender. Sometimes when they encounter older men and patrons who got this urge to look at her hot, tantalizing body, it never ended well. While the girl is oblivious to how things are happening at that time, Tom is trying to calm Shizuo down first from throwing the nearest object to him before they get the debt.

Something similar happened one time too:

The three entered a bar somewhere a little to the east of Ikebukuro as Tom looked around for their 'target'. He quickly found him since he stood out like a sore thumb. The man was clearly and obviously drunk; his bloodshot eyes gazed at them while his mouth sagged in annoyance. "The hell do you think you are..!" His voice and actions were slurred as he downed another shot. Tom stepped up and explained about collecting his debt. The man however, remained indifferent.

"Don't have the money to pay up right now!" He barked off, ordering another shot. "So get lost!" Then his eyes fell down onto innocent little Noelle, who smiled at him warmly (she seemed vague to the aura now forming around Shizuo). Tom rounded to her and nodded just as she stepped up. She gave off her doe full eyes, that pouty lip, she puffed out her pink cheeks, and the cutest smile she could offer. "Please give us the money mister. My boss needed it really bad." Although she looked more like a doll than neither a child nor a full grown young woman, she fluttered her eyelashes and let off a small giggle. She looked so sweet and cute it even made the man stare at her for a long time, and when Shizuo thought it's not working, the man slowly took his wallet and produced the cash.

"Here." He threw the wad of Yen to Tom, who took it by instinct. They're about to leave when suddenly Noelle let out a yelp. Shizuo and Tom spun around to look at her and the blonde was angry to see the drunkard wrap an arm around her slim waist. He let out a sneer as his smelly breath forced the brunette to cough. "You're pretty…" He whispered lustfully at her, who tried to turn away. Just on cue, a bar stool went flying and hit the drunkard straight on. Fortunately, the brunette was unscathed. She gazed into Shizuo's coffee brown eyes and skipped to his side, her hand made way to his. The patrons just watched them until Tom sighed and said they could take the day off since they're done.

Shizuo and Noelle walked inside a convenience store as the blonde bought a new packet of cigarettes while the brunette browsed through the magazine section, intently skimming through the sections. When they exited, they went straight home. Shizuo insisted it, since her asthma's kicking up whenever they're in crowds because it made her claustrophobic. Her fear of tight places and crowds only escalated her sickness. He was worried that they may be able to catch up the crowd at Sunshine 60, which is a very booming place at night and morning. Shizuo made sure she's still alright, even the slightest cough and he would take her to either Shinra or the hospital. Although, they both preferred Shinra because they hate hospitals.

Their apartment is a normal looking flat, a four story commercial/complex. They live at the third floor. It's simple and comfy, a little bit like Shinra and Celty's place. There's a common living room with a normal TV and couch, a kitchen with the fridge stocked with dairy products; mostly milk, a small study where Noelle sometimes works with her stories and novels, a guest room which was rarely used, a bathroom complete with shower, sink, toilet, bathtub, you get the idea, and their bedroom at the far end of the hall. Shizuo opened the door and ushered her in, making her chuckle at his uncommon 'gentle-manliness' while he blushed at her. He placed the keys on a hook near the front door as he slumped in the couch, his body tired and fatigued. "Are you okay, Shizu-chan..?" Noelle came in from the kitchen holding a plate of cheesecake. She settled it down on the coffee table and leaned onto his chest.

"Mmh…" His eyes drifted off as the girl snuggled some more into his chest, her arm in front of her while he wrapped his arm on her petite waist. Just remembering how that dirty man laid hands on his beautiful angel pissed him off so much that he squeezed his hold on her. "What is it?" She looked up to him with her big green eyes when he suddenly swoop down to her face and gave a short yet sweet peck on the lips.

"Mine." He only said as sleep rolled over.