Author's Note: Well, hello. I don't really want to give any excuses for my delay, as I'm simply not up to it for now and I don't think it would change the fact this chapter is long overdue. I'm simply sorry.

Still, thank you for all the positive reactions to my story while I was absent as an author. They always mean a lot, sometimes though, life has other plans.

I also apologise to my beta reader, as I was silent to her too. At this point I must state that my chapters will probably have uneaven distribution so to say and that's why I haven't contacted in that matter. I wanted to apologise 'publicly'.

All in all, I hope you will still be interested in the story and that this chapter from Izaya's POV will be to your liking.

Mika - Blame It On The Girls

"Life could be simple but you never fail
To complicate it every single time

Like a baby you're a stubborn child - what's the matter
Always looking for an axe to grind - what's the matter"

"Hang out? You came to... hang out?" he asked incredulously.

"Aside from being motorically impaired you're deaf now too?" I asked, rolling my eyes. "Yes. I said that I came to hang out. Is that qualified as a crime in your personal view, Shizu-chan? Don't you think it's a bit... fatuous of you? You hate it when I'm malicious and troublesome, yet here I'm trying to show you my better side and you cannot cope with it... No sense in that whatsoever..." I sighed, dramatically flopping down onto the couch.

I could sense his eyes following my every move since he has let me in to the apartment. If it was someone else, the feeling would probably be disconcerting. For me? Mostly amusing and, having yesterday's phone call in mind, a tad bit flattering and... arousing. And lets face it... Those who think of me as a pervert because of that? Are either overly prude for some reason or simply do not understand the mechanic of a male's brain. How could I not recall that situation when it was all too clear that Shizu-chan was doing exactly the same? My visit alone, about which I informed him ahead of time, wasn't enough of a factor to make him as fidgety and flustered as he looked like. Though, I give him some credit for trying to hide it with the use of his usual grumpy demeanour. It wasn't really his fault that one had to be more than a master in the game of lies to deceive me. Poor Shizu-chan... All of his efforts completely wasted...

"Better side my ass... You're always malicious and troublesome. Even when you're trying to be civil, flea. You can't blame me for being fucking cautious around you!" he spatted, yet it didn't hold the disgust I was used to hearing in his voice when I angered him.

"Now now... There's no need to be so emotional, Shizu-chan. People change, don't they? You should give me some credit. After all, you didn't have a problem with me coming yesterday, right?" I rose my brow in question.

I could see him opening his mouth to answer, but he didn't even utter a word before his tanned complexion became tinted with a red hue.

Was I mocking him? Well, what do you think...?

I had to stifle a snort of laughter. Shizu-chan... Some of his reactions never change...

I gave him a moment of silence; just so he could focus on his own embarrassment.

"Oi, Shizu-chan! Is something wrong? Are you too hot? Are you ill? You didn't overexert yourself, right? You remember what Shinra said about strenuous exercise..." I added nonchalantly.

His attention snapped from the floor to my face immediately. Embarrassing him was so easy that it shouldn't be amusing at all at this point. Somehow... it didn't lose its appeal, though I was playing same old...

"I'm... I'm perfectly fine." he emphasised, as if it was enough for me to stop with my small inquisition. "Why are you even asking? What... Do I look ill to you? Well, that's probably because I still have a fucking broken leg if you didn't notice!" he hissed defensively.

This time I laughed at loud.

"Oh my... Do you have a thorn in your paw by any chance, Shizu-chan? I asked because your face became red all of a sudden. It could be a problem with blood pressure for all I know... You're so grouchy that it's funny... If you don't want me laughing at you, stop giving me more reasons."

"I don't have a thorn in my paw, but a fucking metal rod in my thigh, so yeah, sorry if it makes me fucking grouchy... And stop with your stupid lines. I don't appreciate your idea of... hanging out." he replied.

"Oh, was that sarcasm? And here I though you're incapable of it. Still, what stupid lines do you have in mind, hmmm? Most of time you see any kind of sentence of mine as unworthy of your attention..." I asked leisurely, trying to make myself more comfortable on the couch; which wasn't of the best quality by the way...

"You know what kind of lines I mean well enough. Stop playing stupid, flea." he looked positively anxious and it made me smirk lightly.

"As much as flattered I am by your compliments about my intellect, I cannot say I'm aware of what you're talking about. What I said up to this point in our conversation, I deem perfectly normal." I insisted, wondering when his resolve about not saying outright what happened yesterday would be broken.

"Why do I even fucking bother...!" I heard him mumble under his nose, his facial muscles tense.

"Do you remember? We had talked about your habit of using 'fuck' and its multiple derivatives. You weren't fond of that particular conversation..."

"I didn't ask for you opinion! Is everything an innuendo with you?" he growled almost.

Oh, so I did, in fact, anger him... Not that it was my objective while visiting him, quite the opposite. However, when one is used to something, it can be really hard to keep to the new resolve. Not to mention the fun I had out of it...

"It was hardly an innuendo... this time." I smirked. " Yet, thinking logically, it's more your fault than mine, Shizu-chan..."

"What?" he exclaimed loudly, the grip on his crutches tightening. And yes, the brute was still standing, though don't blame me for his stupor... "How the heck am I at fault here? I don't go around messing with your brain!" he insisted.

"Actually, yes you do... You simply don't see that most of the time. It's an unconscious process and not always to your advantage, it seems." I stated laughingly. "But seriously, the way you're so easily flustered makes me want to see you squirm more and more in embarrassment... You not being able to control your own reactions is the the fault I would pinpoint. Won't you agree, Shizu-chan? Tell me, what would you do if I spelled out loud what you were thinking of this whole time? What my words made you remember of? Isn't that the problem?" I asked again and as if in a knee-jerk reaction, his skin became darker on the cheeks and his eyes darted to the side. "Ahhh... And that's what I was talking about. Can't you control it even the slightest bit, Shizu-chan? I was there, right? It's not that I came upon some dirty little secret of yours... Oh, well, it might be considered a dirty little secret, though I've already known about it before, hence there is no use in the masquerade..." I continued in a light tone, eyeing him curiously.

"Shut up! You wanted to hang out and the only thing you're doing is making me look ridiculous! Am I your personal clown? I don't fucking think so! Start seeking for a personal entertainer somewhere else and quit wasting my time." was his harsh reply, followed by a death glare. A supposed death glare, that is...

I yawned ostentatiously, feigning boredom, only to add fuel to the fire.

"I cannot ignore and not comment on what's obvious. In my point of view, putting it out in the open would stop me not only from tormenting you, but put an end to your inner turmoil. Then you wouldn't have to be so irritable." I advised rather matter of factly.

He visibly cringed at my words, his jaw muscles working with tension.

"So what exactly are you saying? That I should just... What?" Shizu-chan asked, huffing and trying to regain his composure.

"Just say what's bugging you and work out your insecurities." I said with a sly smile, what made him eye me suspiciously.

"Come again? Insecurities? We ain't talking about insecurities... How's that even connected to the topic, huh? Oh, bullshit!" it was his turn to roll his eyes in exasperation. "Besides, why the heck would I talk to you, from all people, about something concerning my personal issues or some other shit?" he added after a moment of... hesitation?

I couldn't argue Shizu-chan had a point... to a certain extent. We weren't friends yet, but the label of enemies no longer fitted to describe our current relationship. One couldn't say that we were strangers also, or simply acquaintances. In the end... what were we?

Now, I was actually in the process of discovering the truth of our... status. That's what people tended to call it in the era of the Internet and Facebook and other communicators that made my job as an informer less of a hassle. Almost everything was there, online. Personal data, sexual preferences, likes and dislikes, personal views on various topics, photos and the famous relationship status. Colleagues, friends, lovers, life partners, family... You name it. All of it in a nutshell on a simple site and given away willingly...

Well, real life? On my example at least, it wasn't so easy to label... And more so, to share it with the world. How and why would I when it was a mystery to myself? I was aware that it was silly... Not everything needed a label, a name. Things could be so complicated that putting a label on them made them look less complex and more artificial in fact.

In the back of my mind I knew I was striving for that exactly. A tag for a problem. For me, it sounded more approachable and a hell lot less confusing. Confusing meant unresolvable at this point of the game... An easy choice then. The same went for the next move.

I reminded myself of the actual goal of my visit at Shizu-chan's apartment. I was supposed to gather information, what I was the best at, to help myself in solving this... mystery. To scratch the itch inside my ear finally, after withholding for such a long time.

However, how to withdraw information that aren't really substantial? How to make Shizu-chan tell me what he himself probably hasn't put into words yet? Or I believed that he hasn't at least... And why would he? It's not that we went far in our... discovery of each other. There were no idyllic pictures we fed each other with, no surreal promises and sweet words. None that I could recall at least... Yes, we both spouted empty nothings during lust filled moments... Still, it was inconsequential in the long run in my opinion.

Shizu-chan might have said he wasn't going to run any more and admitted that his hate for me was mostly out of the equation, though. He did, didn't he? Ahhh... That addressed my concern directly. He knew that much, and that awareness I had to take advantage off... As far as it was possible at least.

That pleaded for a one hundred and eighty degree turn in attitude towards him. It was my time to pull at his strings. A master at play...

My almost always present smirk gave way to an austere face expression. I was sure my eyes conveyed my mood change as well, the previous glint of amusement transforming into seriousness that found its focus on Shizu-chan's persona. In my pursue of the brute's sole attention I moved gracefully to the edge of the couch and leant forward, planting my feet firmly on the ground, with legs slightly apart; my forearms resting leisurely on my thighs, hands hanging freely yet steadily. It was a pose chosen to indicate interest in the speakers words and the listeners openness and, hopefully in this situation, candour.

I was ready to hear Shizu-chan out. First, I just had to make him talk to me... about the right topic.

How hard could that be?

"Why would you talk to me?" I repeated his question from a moment ago, taking on a more serious tone, void of mockery. I spoke sounding as if I was weighing the importance of the question myself, wondering on the answer.

Funnily, I was more truthful in that moment than I wanted to be...

"Yeah, to you..." he emphasised.

Despite that, I could virtually see interest flickering in his golden-brown orbs. Oh, he was still cautious, but seemingly ready to give me a chance to speak out and maybe... Maybe even believe in my words for a change.

More than enough to give me an additional boost in confidence for my plan's success. Not without experiencing bumps and sudden turns on the way, I supposed.

This man's simplicity was strangely complicated to grasp.

Though, maybe it was his usual straightforwardness I was unable to comprehend, or rather treat as a fact. I had that need to seek for more, dig through the layers... even when there were none to penetrate, because that person felt there was no need to hide anything, once it became clear to himself.

Humans? My humans? They weren't like that... They were constantly trying to hide something. From themselves, their families, co-workers, friends... They played along when it was too risky to go out on a limb, often despite it being against their so called 'beliefs'. They simulated and feigned, afraid of expressing their minds hundreds and thousands of times. They lived someone else's life, as it was definitely not their own. As if they imposed a censorship on themselves and dared to act upon their wants only behind the scenes or with a long list of reasons and excuses that pushed them into action. Paralysed by fear to the point that made them step back from reaching out for their dreams in a straightforward manner. Afraid. So afraid that they didn't know what was wrong or right in their own opinion. It led to a string of lies, deceit, machinations... They played complex while they were all but that. And I basked in that knowledge with pleasure.

And don't take me wrong... They could be challenging. I wouldn't be playing with them otherwise... I had to take my pick what motivation spurred them on after all. It was just... mostly short lived. That's all. The excitement with one specimen ended often soon before I would have liked it to...

Shizu-chan?

Shizu-chan was different...

The simplest is the easiest to skip over...

"To me? Because I'm nothing like them..." I answered finally, after a moment of silence.

"Them? Who is them exactly?" he asked, not understanding my short statement.

"Them as in people. I'm not like them. And so are you. We're both different. We're not the same in our difference, true. More like... contrasting. Still, it puts us closer in this dimension. I might posses the ability to understand you. Isn't it what you want? What you need?" I continued, observing his face for any reactions.

His brow twitched, however it wasn't pure irritation...

"Do you hear yourself? Don't play God and don't make yourself more than you are, Izaya." He was emphasising quite an awful lot to my taste.

"I'm seeing things how they are, Shizu-chan." I explained shortly.

"No. You're seeing things like you want them to be." he corrected me, his eyes locking with mine in a more intensive stare.

I tensed just a little bit before I managed to will my muscles into relaxing. I was not there to argue.

"So why are you so intent on putting me in the rightful place then? Isn't it that you want to overpower me finally? It would put us in the same category again..." I counter-argued.

"I simply dislike snobs." he said with a hint of a smile.

"You're not making it easy on me..." I replied a bit too harsh for my liking.

"Why would I?" he tilted his head slightly.

"Maybe because I'm trying?"

"So? Should I pat your head and give you a reward? For those feelin' all high and mighty I have higher standards. That's only logical..." he pushed his argument further.

"You're acting pretty 'high and mighty' right now if I may note." I said, biting the inside of my cheek to stay composed.

"Have a taste of your own medicine."

Those weren't light bumps on the road, but a fucking Swiss cheese... Or was I so impatient after all?

"What kind of game are you playing now?" I tried asking frankly.

"None. I'm... how did you say it? Oh, yeah... Hanging out..." he sent me a wide smile and I literally bit my tongue to withheld from cursing him out loud.

"Don't throw my own words at me like that, brute."

"Why? You do the same, don't you?" he asked innocently.

"YOU'RE NOT ME, for fuck's sake!" I snapped despite my resolve.

"Fuck and all it's derivatives, was it?"

Oh, now that was too much even for me! He was the most irritating being on this planet! I was being perfectly civil and wanted to talk to him about a serious matter, yet he had to destroy all of my plans with a sudden need to act cocky.

It was no use. If he was to sabotage my every step it was a waste of time...

I stood up abruptly and brushed off imaginary dirt from my shirt, feigning disinterest and composure.

"Thank you for your attention, Shizuo." This time I emphasised and made my way to the door.

I didn't go far, though, as strong hand grasped one of my wrists, refusing to let go.

"Maybe you didn't understand, Shizu-chan, but our conversation is over. Now, let me go. I wish to spend my time in a more accurate companionship." I stated coldly and tried to free myself from his grip.

"Why is it over? Because you decided that? Not everything goes as you plan it, Izaya. You should have learnt that lesson some time ago." he replied, not budging the slightest bit, only pulling me nearer; one of his crutches somehow not in the way any more.

"Captain obvious!" I hissed at him, locking our gazes again. His eyes were too intense to my liking...

It was ridiculous.

"It doesn't really bother me."

"Because you're a hopeless simpleton."

"I like it that way." he replied unperturbed.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. I was aware he was searching for something in them. What was it? Was it even there to be found?

"Why?" I mused loudly.

"It makes my life easier. I understand myself better. I may not like some parts of me, but I know they exist..."

And I could tell he was saying the truth.

"Still, look where it took you. Aren't you too easy to stir? Wouldn't thinking twice, or rather, thinking at, all help you out, brute?" I felt the need to prod.

"Did it help in your case, then?" he retaliated.

"Depends what you have in mind..." I murmured, lowering my voice.

"Depends on what?"

"What you consider helping."

"And?"

"I haven't decided if I like the outcome yet." I ended.

"When will you know?" he inquired.

"In a couple of minutes for now. In the long run? It could take days, months or even years" I replied, licking my lips somewhat nervously.

Would it work?

"You're talking in riddles. I don't think I understand..."

"I don't think I understand much more, yet my thinking led me to one conclusion."

"Which is...?"

"I think I want a relationship." I stated.

"You? A relationship? With whom? Besides, there are tons of kinds of relationships..." he asked, visibly confused.

"Me. Yes. With you. The kind should be obvious... And you do obvious quite well..." I added.

Shizu-chan blinked rapidly. A couple of times. Shock all over his face.

I must say, I shocked myself in the first place by saying that. For a moment.

Was I in the right mind? Negative statement and I decided upon that some time ago. Did I think it over? Oh, yes...! If you count a couple of seconds as thinking... I sure do. I was always fast at calculations. My head was telling me, go for it.

Why? Well, if you can't fight the enemy from the sidelines or head-on confrontation, infiltrate his ranks...