Author's Note: Hello! A bit longer wait, but a longer chapter for you :D As always, strong hugs for every review, favourite and alert! My computer is acting strangely, doing things without my consent, so sorry for a ll the strange, unfinished messages I sent you. That's also why it took me more to write anything. Hope it'll stop eventually ;D

For the chapter, I thought it was finally some time for the promised Shizaya goodness to some extent. Hope you'll like it. Just can't stop thinking they're like children sometimes ;D Oh, and let me only say that Shizuo's reaction to some things in this chapter will be later explained... :D

Radiohead – Planet Talex

"You can crush it but it's always here
You can crush it but it's always near
Chasing you home saying
Everything is broken
Everyone is broken"

Home. I was going home... Finally, after all these days in bed, confined at Shinra's apartment, I was going to be on my own! Well, not on my own completely, my leg was still healing, the damn metal rod in the bone and my walking capabilities almost none, as I had a hard time accustoming to walking with crutches, which I was allowed using two days before Shinra's happy announcement. So, Shinra said he will be checking up on me recently in turns with Celty. To bring me groceries and stuff. He told me I shouldn't walk too much yet, try not to strain my body, the leg specifically. Besides, we were working on my rehabilitation together, though he stated he was looking for someone better suited for the task. To help me in regaining control of the muscles in my thigh and easing the pain. Yes, it hurt... I didn't complain much though, no use in it, wasn't so bad when I wasn't thinking about it also. I can't deny I was a bit anxious. A stranger touching me wasn't something I could be fond of... and Shinra said something about massages and things of the like...

I understood that Shinra had his own life, he and Celty took care of me almost non-stop for three long weeks and they deserved Shizuo-free time. But I got used to our daily routine by now, it was stressful to change the surroundings, even if it was my house we were talking about... So, stressful, but exciting. A great mix that left me bouncing like a rubber ball on the bed I was still in at the moment.

I knew Shinra was packing me a bag full of various tablets with all the dosage instructions written on them. At least he believed me not to overdose them by myself... The amount already made me dizzy... I didn't like taking them the least bit, but Shinra knew what he was doing, I suppose... I was aware of him worrying about me putting too much stress on my leg and most of all, going back to smoking the moment I leave his apartment. I won't say it didn't cross my mind, because it did. Countless times... It was a habit I harboured since high school and stopping was giving me a hard time. I was more restless than usual and the fact I had little possibilities of venting the accumulated energy distressed me the more. It pleaded for a disaster in my opinion. I wasn't looking forward to it and no-one sane should as well...

I tried thinking about a more pleasant topic, what to do first after coming home for example, when a loud sound of the entrance door opening and closing reached my ears. It was followed by a muffled conversation of at least two persons. It caught my attention immediately. It wasn't often that Shinra was visited actually, even by his customers. He was usually the one going out... Guess that's the peculiarity of an underground doctor. He would cope with the situation no matter the place... Enough of that, though. I was more interested in the present guest... Maybe I could overhear something? It's not that I was suspicious or wanted to pry into Shinra's matters, it was just the boredom... It was hard to hear anything, however, they were talking so quietly. I caught myself in the right moment to stop the apparition of a pout on my face. I wasn't a child... to that degree.

You can't imagine my surprise when Shinra came to me after a moment with a pleading expression adorning his features. There were problems on the horizon. Earlier than expected...

"I know it's almost indecent to ask, but I still will... Just, be civil for two hours or so, for today, to make my life easier this one time...? Please?"

"I don't like where this is going, Shinra... What the fuck is this about?" I asked suspiciously.

"Well... I was sure you'd be out from here by now... and you would have been if not for the sudden call from one of my usual clients... and then I totally forgot about him in the midst of it all and... I couldn't ban him forever from coming here, he is my friend after all and... he just came with a visit. It would be unfair and extremely rude if I were to throw him out again... He promised to behave, I swear... And he swore too. Just this once? Please, Shizuo... Pretty please?" he almost knelled in front of the bed, so intent on gaining my approbate.

"Shinra, you cannot be talking about... Oh no! No way in hell! It's ought to be my 'welcome back home' day... I don't want the maniac flea sabotaging it! Just how the hell did you came up with the ide-"

"Oi, Shinra! I told you not to bother... The protozoan's brain cannot grasp the delicate notion of a truce..." the voice no-one other's, but the flea's of course. He entered my room as if it was a natural thing to do, with his usual cockiness as a companion. Something achingly similar to an animal's growl left my throat. The louse lifted one eyebrow. "You hungry, Shizu-chan? I have to sadden you, but cannibalism is a highly punishable offence these days."

"Even a death-starved animal wouldn't go after your skinny ass. Skin and bones aren't very appealing, flea..." I snarled. It was meant to shut him up... thought it would be too beautiful... Instead of silence I heard a chuckle. Pest!

"It's good then that I'm not one to wish for someone going after my ass. Ne~, Shizu-chan... You can be quite amusing, now don't you...? Do you ever think before you speak or is it all an uncontrollable process?" he snickered again. What the...!

"Shinra, I'll tell this once – take the bastard away or I won't restrain myself anymore... – I don't want to listen to his shitty opinions!" I warned. Normally, I'd already punched the pest's smiling face, but I owned Shinra... I could give him time to decide if he wanted his apartment intact...

"Oh my... I'm getting a silent treatment now? Should I worry about my position in this relationship...? Please, don't be cruel and make me choose between me and me... How could I possibly make a decision under such circumstances...?" he whined – my brow twitched.

Once, twice... My self-control was thin as ice now. I could see the flea's mouth opening for another nasty remark, my muscles tensing for attack, however, Shinra made a move and put a hand on it, muffling any sounds that were to come out.

The dumbfounded look on the louse's face was priceless. One I didn't want to forget til' the end of my life for sure. Him trying to talk despite Shinra's action only made it more hilarious. If I only had a camera... Guess my memory of this had to suffice... I couldn't stop from laughing out loud.

"Shinra... Owe you for that one...! So hilarious...!" I patted my healthy knee in amusement. "You made my day!" - the flea emitted a muffled 'hmpf' sound at my statement and finally came back to his senses, detaching himself from Shinra.

"The hell...? Are you insane, Shinra? Who gave you the right to silence me? I'm not a child...!" he exclaimed indignantly.

"And yet you behave like one..." I had to pinpoint that when I had a chance...

"One to talk... You, with your neanderthal brain, are less mature than a three-year-old... Your opinion is the last one to be concerned about." he retorted in a venomous tone.

"Even if, I don't get off on terrorizing people!"

"I have a reason at least! You're doing a great job without enjoying it, going rampant without explanation and hurting innocents, as well as public property... I don't think I'm much worse at any rate." that pissed me off the most! To compare his ill, malicious ways to mine, unintentional...

"Still, I have friends and people who care. I don't see anyone who would about you... Your own sisters rather stay away than approach you! They have nothing against talking to me... I think that it clears the situation..."

"I have Shinra !"

"Who thrown you out after you acted like a cold-blooded prick, harassing me not long after I woke up from a fucking accident with serious injuries...! He banned you from coming here for almost three weeks... Even he knows you're a vicious, heartless bastard! Can't you even see yourself? You're sick!"

"At least I'm not a cripple who can't take care of himself and makes others do the work! And where is your precious brother then? He should be here if he loves and cares about you, yet I know he hasn't been here a single fucking time! Not once!"

We were at each other's throats now, shouting and growling like wild animals in a territorial fight. Intensity of our hateful glares could have probably killed a less bold person, or at least made them wet their underwear... It was the moment in which we were clenching at each other's clothes – when the bastard managed to approach me I wasn't even aware – me ready to bash that pest's face and he most likely to cut me where it hurt the most, when Shinra finally reacted.

"SHUT UP! THE BOTH OF YOU! JUST SHUT THE FUCKING HELL UP! And stop this idiotic situation! What kind of comments were that?" We froze instantly. Shinra wasn't shouting usually and he didn't use curse words. It just wasn't him... Now, however, he did. It was a shock, to call it lightly... "The both of you act like children and even speak like them on that matter! Uneducated and spoiled at that! Can't you behave like normal people for a change? I have to deal with your shitty attitudes constantly and it makes my brain swollen from all the taunting and accusations that end in a massive shouting competition... Shouldn't even you have a break? You!" he pointed at the flea. "You promised me not to provoke Shizuo, so what was that at the beginning? You want to have me as a friend and you can't keep your word? It will change or I won't say a word before cutting my ties with you..." I smirked under my nose. The fucking louse deserved it! Though, I wasn't smiling for long, because Shinra turned his attention to me. "And you? Don't be so easy to stir up! You're twenty-four. It's about time to learn ignoring that kind of provocation... Or you'll be licking your own wounds... Is that clear to you? The both of you?" the only sound in the room was our breathing – harsh from all the arguing.

Great! Now I was on Shinra's 'black list'. Just what I needed – to piss off my doctor. Though, didn't he understand? I hated that fucking flea! He did everything to make my life as difficult as possible the moment he saw me. And I can tell the hatred was mutual. He irked me even before Shinra told me his name... It was fate that made us hate each other, or some other inexplicable force, there was no other explanation... Impossible to change so easily. Too many years and too many thorns sunken into the body and mind to forget about. Besides, even if I would try restraining myself for now, the other 'party' wasn't going to. It loved watching my anger getting the best of me too much, that I was sure of...

And... deep inside, despite of the silly form our fight took on, some of the words were truthful and that's what pained me the most. That much I could admit to myself... I loosened my grip on the flea's jacket and he instantly repeated the action on me. Now I could feel my leg hurting like hell, surely from how we shoved ourselves a few times...

"Sorry, Shinra. I didn't want to trouble you. I just can't keep my cool around this fu-... around him" I corrected myself. "If I could just go now, I wouldn't stress you anymore. Without... him... I'll be calm, so..." I assured, ready to find myself home.

My home. Without that pest to bother me and no way of irritating Shinra. Nice and calm. Alone... Not that it mattered. I had enough company for a long time. I was used to living on my own. No biggie... Really... I was extra careful not to look at the 'causer' of my constant anger, just not to react violently again, so I was a bit surprised when he spoke.

"I'll be going then too, Shinra. No place for me here I see. I'll find the door." he said simply, somewhat quietly.

Still, I didn't look at him. He was depressed and angered? Suits him well... Though, I didn't previously think he was capable of sadness... Well, not my problem. He brought this on himself.

Unfortunately, Shinra had other plans.

"Oh, no you won't! You won't desert when the situation became uncomfortable for you. It hurts or irritates you? Great. The both of you is in for some punishment. And I can't see a more adequate one than making you spend more time together. Behaving like domesticated beings, meaning, not trying to cut your throats open anymore. It's a fine metaphor, taking into account your way of solving things – worse than a cat and a dog..." Shinra announced. Maybe I was mistaken, but I swear I heard a note of malice in his words.

About his idea? Well, obviously I was against it. Strongly against it. There was no point in me suffering like that, no matter if I deserved it or not. I wasn't going to be near the flea longer than it took me to leave the room using my crutches. And still, it seemed like a lifetime... Guess that was the one thing we agreed on...

"Maybe I pissed you off Shinra, but you can't make me stay with him. I'd rather kill myself right now and it's not a figure of speech..." he hissed, sounding disgusted. Ass!

"Well, then have a nice time trying." Shinra responded and took a step that he needed to leave the room, swiftly closing the door after him.

The 'click' that took place right after echoed in my ears like the sound of a bell announcing a mass. Loudly, that is...

He fucking did what I didn't want to believe in... He fucking closed the door...!

Coldplay – A Message

"And I'm not gonna take it back
And I'm not gonna say, "I don't mean that"
You're the target that I'm aiming at
Got to get that message home"

"Fine! Fine... Have it your way, Shinra. Not that it will change something..." I yelled at Shinra, or at the door more accurately.

All this was a farce! What did he think? That a couple of hours will change me and the brute into happy friends sharing life stories? Not we were insane, he was nuts! If anything, it will only make the protozoan ballistic and who was to find himself on the receiving end of the oncoming bone-bashing? Me... That's right. I could be quick, deft and agile, but in the kind of restricted area I was now, I expected anger-driven, raw strength to be more of an advantage. I always had my cleverness, which Shizu-chan obviously lacked, and it had to do. Or maybe... I shouldn't bother? It was Shinra who would have to deal with the consequences and my potentially bloodied body. It tempted me to leave it and let it bite him in the ass later... Because, I was the sadist here? Really? Hello...! The situation spoke for itself...

And so, determinedly, I left my spot at the door and casually moved to occupy the only chair in the room, which was at the neanderthal's left bedside. I took it and moved it to the furthest corner from the bed. Then I sat there, leaving my mind open, thoughts running wild. My body waited though. Waited. Waited... For no attack to come, not being thrown a single thing at. Nothing. Silence. It was actually more disconcerting than one would have guessed. That state of abeyance pulsing in my mind like an enormous migraine, not possible to forget about or ignore...

I can't deny that this unexpected train of events triggered my curiosity... and all the wheels and ratchets that were put on-hold and which I didn't have the occasion to use in the recent fight. It was just to simple and plainly ridiculous – here Shinra had a point. Because, really, I lost my cool as easily as Shizu-chan during it. I throw blindly what came into my mind, not trying to be my usual teasing, but composed self. I let his talk reach not only my ears – like I normally would – it managed to stir the anger and other... feelings that Shinra first aroused in me a few days ago. Like a sensitive imbecile... Christ, it made me cringe and curse myself! It couldn't happen again. It was inadmissible!

Going back to my previous position, what was that brute doing actually, not even casting me a spare glance...? It wasn't like him at all... It irritated and enthralled me at the same time. And it only propelled me to act, to find out the reason for this sudden change and take my fun while doing it. So I broke the silence.

"Why are you doing nothing, Shizu-chan? Shouldn't you try breaking the door or something of the like? Make actual use of your strength for once, would you?" I knew I was stomping on thin ice, but I loved every second of it. I was Orihara Izaya!

Once again, however, an unexpected silence greeted it. Was he serious?

"You took what Shinra said to your heart so fast, Shizu-chan? Won't let yourself act rush at my provocation? How thoughtful of you... Seriously now, you tearing that door into pieces would be beneficial to the both of us. You don't want to sit with me and I don't want to spend time with you. A win-win situation, isn't it? What do you say...? It's a logical decision to make." I was planning to try every method to make him speak. Wonder if he was aware of it... Ahh, how could he possibly be...? Never mind. He still didn't react. Suddenly it turns out he has some patience? What was that? A 'Shizuo-surprise' day?

I left my chair and stood in front of him. Now that had to work... More senses occupied by my persona, greater percentage of victory. But...

Reido, zero, none, null, zilch, nada... Now that was starting to play on my nerves. He became speechless due to shock? His brain went on overload and finally exploded from too much data? No, now... Everything was fine. I was perfectly calm...

"Are you deaf dumbass? I'm talking to you and I would like to hear an answer. You can use infinitives if it's too much for you to speak properly..." he didn't speak, I lost it.

It turned out I wasn't one for patience today... It was hilarious! Reversed roles?

Without the said patience and no mind for finesse, I lifted my hand to struck. At the brutes face. A saint he wasn't. Nor a proper catholic or a believer of other peace-praising religion. He wouldn't present his second cheek to let me repeat the gesture... Above all, there was an eye for an eye, or even a leg or two rule with him. It wasn't even vengeance. It was instinct. I surmised it wasn't something he could control, it was taking over him, actually. A chain reaction of kinds. If there was a triggering element, it started. It wasn't proportional, however. A strength you can't fully understand or measure, as it's constantly changing, growing. Or maybe one should compare him with a volcano? Wild and unpredicted, erupting with different power and time intervals. It could also be an avalanche or a typhoon... All in all, any kind of a natural catastrophe matched up with his temper quite well...

My hand didn't reach its target. He caught my wrist mere millimetres before his face. What a shame... I got a reaction as a consolation gift, though.

"You're not sleeping with your eyes open then? What a relief, that kind of people give me creeps!" I winked at him playfully. Was he going to hit me now? It interested me immensely...!

"I'm not deaf nor am I dumb. I'm also not you experimentation object. Don't try to touch me. If you will, your hands won't be the only missing parts of the body you're so proud of. Don't come nearer then that chair you were sitting on before. Better yet, don't try to speak, sing or sign at me. Don't look at me or try to catch up my attention in any other possible way. Then I can try ignoring you and maybe let you come fairly intact out of this..." all this was said in a flat monotone I haven't heard him using up to this point in our 'co-existence'.

I was becoming more and more drown to the sudden otherness he was starting to exhibit...

"If you asked that of anyone else..." I left the sentence unfinished. He wasn't dumb enough not to understand it. "Now that you're finally listening, I will repeat my question. Why won't you take the door out of the hinges simply? I don't believe that you're a total weakling after that accident of yours. You don't exactly need legs to do that particular thing... Be a good boy and help us out from this ongoing misery. Then, this once in a lifetime, we can co-operate to make Shinra pay for this stupidity...!" I almost sang.

"No." great. A monosyllabic refusal was my biggest wish...

"No? No? You say to me, you prefer my presence to freedom? That what you're saying? You bashed you head harder than I or Shinra thought during your fall! Get your stupid ass up this instant and destroy that fucking door, you cripple-good-for-nothing!" I commanded.

Now, don't understand me wrong... It wasn't that I so desperately wanted to leave that room and Shizu-chan. It was fine by me if I could observe him and try reading him without a beating threatening me. It's just – he wasn't acting logical. Logical for him that is. He was so out of his 'self' that even I wasn't comfortable with it. Wasn't that a paradox? I wanted excitement and novelty. I craved for it! When I got it – I was displeased. Thrown out of my axis... The brute was right for once! I was sick. Just... in an other way.

"Hold your fucking tongue, unless you want it ripped out and served cold on a plate, flea. I'm not doing anything just because you want it. Buy yourself a servant, bet you can afford it..." he wasn't looking at me again. His gaze was fixed on the door.

"They won't open just from you trying to burn holes in them with your eyes, idiot!"

"I said I'm not dumb, didn't I? Maybe I just like looking in that direction. Besides, it's not your fucking business! Go to you chair or I will fulfil my threat."

"I'm wasting my precious time this way, I see... Now, it's your own fault for making me do this, remember that..." I warned and moved, circling the bed that Shizu-chan was on. He probably thought I was going back to the aforementioned chair, so fixed on that damned door... I wasn't. I found myself on the other side of the bed and fast, not to give him much time to react, put one of my arms around his arms and the second one around his neck, my chest pressed against his back. I held him with all my strength, my switch-blade ready to use.

He gasped and tensed, obviously surprised. I snickered. The imbecile, were his senses so dulled by the little thinking he was probably doing that he couldn't hear or feel me approaching? It was too comical...

"What the fuck are you doing, you bastard? You have a death wish? One more minute and I won't be hesitating to spray your blood on Shinra's walls." he hissed. Somehow I didn't believe him...

"Now, now Shizu-chan... I'm the one who holds a blade at your throat. I think it's rather you having a death wish if you start trashing around or try something similarly illogical... Why won't you co-operate with me on this one? I have a small request, nothing more... Just break the door out and not only me, but you will be happy as well. Is that so horrible?" I whispered near his ear.

I don't know why, though one had an immediate need to use lowered voice when in such a close proximity to another. Or was it only my characteristic? Never mind, as Shizu-chan's reaction was too good to consider any other option. I could feel his muscles tense even more in my hold. It amused me that, if not for the blade in my hand, you could see it as a lover's embrace. What an irony, right? Because it was the furthest from that as possible... Didn't they say that one should keep his enemies even closer than friends? It fitted perfectly!

"I won't dance as you play, flea! Get your filthy hands off of me!" he growled low in his throat and I could feel the sound creating vibrations in his back.

A thrill of excitement went through my body. I adored dangerous situations! I could call myself an adrenaline junkie. I loved playing with fire and those flames that Shizu-chan created managed to lick my body just enough to innerve me, but don't cause real damage.

"I gave you an ultimatum... It's your decision now, Shi-zu-chan~" I breathed into his ear.

With a desperate move, not concerned about the cut that it formed on his throat, he twisted his head to the other direction, so his ear was away from my lips. Oh... So he didn't like that so badly? It wasn't wise of him to make me aware of it... Silly Shizu-chan... Was he more disgusted or uncomfortable? Why didn't he use more strength to just free himself, if his move already resulted in a wound? If he wasn't afraid of the pain... Why? I just had to know...

I followed his ear, almost touching it with my lips this time...

"I left you for about fifteen minutes and that's how I'm finding you? Is this some kind of a joke?" the loud voice of Shinra complained.

It made me almost jump, the knife dropped to the mattress in the process, eyes changing their focus point from Shizu-chan to him.

"Why are you here?" I managed to ask. I know, rather lame for my usual thinking capabilities...

"You were terrifyingly silent, so I started to worry a bit too much for my own good. Thought you killed yourself already, but now... Here you are, in a highly compromising position, with your arms wrapped around Shizuo like a blanket and his cheeks read like a tomato. Was all the fighting only a cover for a sweet romance? Were you afraid to tell us all you two were involved? I don't have anything against homosexuals, so..." he started to rattle.

"Shut up, Shinra! I'm not a fucking homosexual and I don't even like the fucking flea! Are you sick?" Shizu-chan shouted.

Oh my, I could sense his neck getting hotter. Was he really blushing? How could I have missed it? I was in love with the situation! So entertaining. An uncomfortable, embarrassed brute...

"Its somehow hard to believe, Shizuo, as you don't seem to be the one escaping Izaya's embrace... Really, you don't have to lie. If that's your wish, I can leave the information to myself..." Shinra assured.

"What the...? He has a fucking blade at my throat and my leg isn't helping any as well!" he shouted even louder.

I couldn't hold it back, I laughed. Shizu-chan tensed more still, if it was even possible, his temperature rising again. He was so naïve... The switch-blade was already safely lying in my pocket, sneaked into it during Shinra's newest rant. The more beautiful was the fact, he didn't even realise I dropped it the moment Shinra spoke and that he was free to leave. It was my day after all!

"I don't see why you're feeding me this bullshit, Shizuo... There is no knife I can see... Drop the act."

"What? What are you talking about? I'm not lying to you, it just he-" he started explaining, his free hand raising to touch were the knife previously was and he froze, meeting nothing but my own palm.

For a moment I could see his still red face, when he twisted around to throw me off of him, but I was faster, I jumped to my feet after ruffling his hair and came to Shinra's side.

"Jā ne~, Shinra! It was fun! Can't wait to see you to, Shi-zu-o~!" Why not to piss him off more? I left the apartment laughing.