Author's Note: Wow, I'm finally here after an obscenely long break in writing... I know! I'm very sorry again. That's just how I am it seems. However, for next two months I have vacations from the university finally and I plan on writting during that time. And thank you for your reviews and favourites and PM asking about the story. Love you guys!

Here is the first chapter after my break, a bit short, but I wrote it rather fast and wanted to upload it and inform I'm going to update a bit more frequently for some time.

The chapters come out a bit happy and to some point fluffy, but what can I say... I think it's me fighting with my everyday stress, sorry! :D Hope you will enjoy it still.

Florence + The Machine

Heartlines

"What a thing to do…
Oooh
What a thing to choose…
But know, in some way I'm there with you.
Up against the wall on a Wednesday afternoon."

"Huh?" was all I eloquently managed to splutter, looking at Izaya unbelievingly.

The logical part of my brain, and yes there is such, was trying to signal that indeed, it was not a case of my ears suddenly acting up.

I heard the flea right.

What was he... Shit! Was he fucking joking or what? There was no way he was being serious, right? Not about that particular matter... Proposing a relationship, a relationship between the two of us, was just... Well, near impossible simply. It was Izaya we were talking here about. IZAYA. The man of few feelings and emotions supposedly. He hated being bound to anything or anyone, especially another person. And what having a relationship meant if not that?

I was lost... And he must have lost the part of his brain responsible for his usual cold calculations. I didn't neglect to verbalise it.

"Have you lost your friggin' mind?"

Obviously, he didn't appreciate my word choice, as the cringing of his face acted as a perfect giveaway of his irritation.

"The level of your subtlety is worse than a three-year-old's. No wonder you haven't gotten any by now. A mute would have scored better with that attitude of yours..." was Izaya's response. There was no mistaking about the venomous undertone in his voice. "Besides, your mother haven't told you that there are some situations in which a simple 'no' is called for? You know... A girl would have cried..." he added as if on second thought, the usual mockery fast back in place.

"Good for me you ain't a girl then, huh? No matter how girly you act all the time, with all the whims, furry coat and a high pitched laugh at that, you're lacking some basics in order to play the part. And I don't care for subtlety or whatever... I don't plan pretending a guy I'm not." I shrugged, observing the flea's face closely for any indication of changes in humour.

It was possible to read him. Just not... easily.

"I don't intend to listen to your idiotic comments, Shizu-chan, so if that's all you have in mind, just don't bother. It's not like I can expect a Neanderthal like you to understand the importance of possessing a certain image and its advantages... Still, that's something for later discussion, or better, none at all. More importantly, in normal world, Shizu-chan, this pretending is called courtesy or simply politeness. No that you would know, right? A brute like you... Ech, such a lost cause I have chosen to deal with... But do not fret, Orihara Izaya is not one to give up easily. I will grant you another chance to react more accurately, okay? So don't waste it. Remember what a precious gift of understanding and generosity you are being given, Shizu-chan..." he said, looking at me... expectantly?

Yeah, I knew it was mostly a load of crap, spouted by him just to gain time and enable him to get a better grip on the situation and the little emotions he displayed right now. I'm not totally oblivious... Just... It was still so surreal. No matter that he used the same old tricks, spoken the same irritating way and hid behind the same old masks of banter and jibe. It was the flea and no matter the reason and tricks he used, the proposition of his still stood the same. The fact he tried to laugh it off and turn the tables to make me feel awkward, or some other shit, worked negatively on my nerves.

Who was wasting time here, actually? If one thought about all the moments the little pest had worked to keep my attention and occupied my time, I was the real victim, wasn't I? He almost monopolised me, at certain moments in our lives. No shit that I haven't thought about it before... Was the flea even aware of it? He had to be, with all the intelligence he insisted he possessed... In that light, maybe it... Yeah, it actually made a little more sense that the idea of a... relationship came from him. It was simply a word naming what he tried to create long before, just... in a slightly different form I suppose. And of course not with selfless intentions.

It didn't change the fact it appealed to me as positively insane, but it sure clarified the mess in my head a bit.

"What do you prefer I would say then, Izaya? 'Yes, I would very much like to be your... boyfriend?'" I replied, the word 'boyfriend' feeling unfamiliar and strange while rolling off of my tongue.

Izaya lifted one of his thin brows and the Cheshire cat-like smile adorned his face.

"Why not indeed. That would be a nice start, Shizu-chan..."

"You do realise I wasn't really agreeing...?"

"Don't make an idiot out of me, Shizu-chan. My brain capacity is far above yours."

"Just making sure. After all, everyone has good and bad days. Just thought it can be one of the worst. You know, taking into account that you came up with the idea of being... together." I clarified unnecessarily.

"Who would have thought you could be so perfidious, Shizu-chan." he glared at me through squinted eyes. "Care to say why you're so intent to go around in circles?"

"Well, it's your fault for throwing that kind of thing at my face so suddenly..." I answered a bit offensively.

"Oh? So you say the suddenness overwhelmed you and caused you to act like a heartless jerk to someone who bared his heart before you?" he asked in a conversational tone.

This guy surely was bipolar. He couldn't even decide between being offended and taking his fun out of the situation. I had attitudinal problems? Right...

"And what did you expect? For me to jump at the occasion? Don't you think it's a bit sudden and early to consider that kind of thing? I might have said I don't hate you, yet you on the other hand... Well, I can't quite believe you had a miraculous change of heart and out of the blue started supporting commitments." I explained.

"Oh, that's brilliant Shizu-chan. How perceptive of you! I would have gladly congratulated you for developing a few additional brain cells if not for one fact you have seemed to oversee..." amusement showing on his face.

"Which is?" I asked slightly confused.

"Ahh... Don't you think it's a bit funny you consider me asking about a relationship sudden? The conventional way, we are way past sudden and early... Somehow your mind didn't connect the line between sex and a relationship. Isn't that how it works for prudes like you? Though, I think I have already helped you to get rid of that tag by having your dick in my hand and letting you return the favour. Is that how it will work then? You had a little of your fun and you're going to ignore the rest? How disappointing of you, Shizu-chan. I have actually thought you were more of a gentleman than that, yet you prove to be nothing more than a simple male in seek of some sexual relief here and there. Blatantly boring... Oh well, I can't always be right. Every presupposition has a potential of being proven wrong."

There was a challenge in Izaya's words and the way he spoke them. I was well aware of him playing with me, trying to talk me into submission. But fuck, if anything, the man had his way with words like no other... Plus, his point wasn't taken from thin air. There was some truth to it. One I was unable to deny before myself.

Next to violence, I hated deceit and lies. Most of time I couldn't control my anger, fine, but the rest was up to me and I wasn't keen on the prospect of becoming all that I hate just to have the last word with the flea. Whose forte is all that I hate.

"Fuck! Great! So what? You're simply saying I ought to take... responsibility for what we have done?" I inquired, not believing into my own words. They sounded plain wrong...

Responsibility? Really? What, was he really a girl or something?

"If you want to put it that way, Shizu-chan... You sounded like a character from a historical novel after having seduced a young, naïve virgin. Sorry to disappoint you. However, you were aware of me not being one before laying your hands on me, so I suppose I wasn't deceiving you to manipulate you into marriage, won't you agree? Besides, two guys can't marry in Japan as of yet. There is no need to worry about that!" he smirked happily and I had the impression he was ready to perform a joyous dance any minute now.

"So what now? " I asked grimly.

I know it all sounded as if I was the one having a change of heart. After all, I haven't opposed Izaya's advances and even initiated my own... Yup, guilty as charged!

"Oh, I don't know, Shizu-chan. Why don't you tell me?" was his low reply, a mischievous glint in his eyes. I didn't like it one bit...

"Whatever flea... So? You say we have a relationship now? What's the difference according to you, huh?"

I thought it was rather good to know his definition, just not be surprised later on.

"The difference? How nice of you to ask, Shizu-chan..." he smiled slowly, leisurely and started approaching my direction.

Yeah, I knew it the glint in his eyes wasn't a particularly good sign...

"F-flea?" I stuttered a bit.

He licked his lips, standing right before me, just a couple of inches apart and I swear, I didn't move back because of my pride. I wasn't afraid of him, damn it!

"First, you don't call me flea when we're alone. Without consequences at least..." he explained, smoothing the wrinkles on my shirt with his palms.

"Excuse me?" I exclaimed in indignation, for a moment forgetting about the possible outcomes of the proximity between us.

"You heard me well. No flea, unless in public. We ought to keep up appearances until I will create a plan making it unnecessary. If ever, as I think our chase can keep you fit. I don't appreciate flabby muscles..." he said as if to himself, his hands tapping lightly on my stomach, as if to emphasise his point.

I bit my lip, not bothering to remind him about how exactly the chase was out of question in my current situation. Moron... Him, not me...

"Secondly, I'm entitled to call you Shizu-chan as much as I like, and before you complain, it's not unfair, because your nickname isn't connected with any type of parasite. Thirdly, I get to do this and not land with a fist to my face suddenly." he continued his list and I couldn't help but wonder if he believed I was going to accept it.

Besides, what was this about?

"This?"

"Yeah, this..." he repeated and his lips were on mine.

Oh... That...

And, Kami-sama, give me strength, because in the moment his teeth nipped at my bottom lip I thought I could go along with that difference without much ado...

We parted after a while and the first thing that came into my vision was Izaya's victorious smile.

He tilted his head to the side slightly and seemingly without thinking whiped the corner of my mouth with his thumb.

"Something wrong, Shizu-chan?" were his sweet word.

I knew it, my demise was coming soon and by no one else than Izaya himself. Not that it was something new, huh? Just... I made it so much more easier for the little devil...