Throughout his whole life, Izaya was only afraid of one thing. It was also his greatest shame, kept in secret, under the facade of taunts and mocking. That thing was, of course, a protozoan named Shizuo Heiwajima.

Izaya didn't know what he was expecting, really. Inviting his greatest enemy to his home? Laughing with him instead of at him? And now playing some silly game of questions?

That could only lead to disaster.

"That's an easy one. You destroyed the bakery of that woman who always gave you lollipops. Never approached her afterwards."

Shizuo looked away. "I'm not gonna ask how you know that."

"It's literally my job to know things, Shizu-chan. Now, we've been playing this game for two hours already, when are you gonna admit you lost?"

The blonde sighed, "I didn't lose, Izaya. There's one thing I know you can't possibly know. But I'd like to keep it that way."

"Oh? Getting all secretive? It was your call to make that bet."

"Guess I didn't expect you to be that much of a stalker."

"I prefer the term 'informant'," Izaya snorted.

"Alright. Hey, do you have anything that's actually edible?"

"Huh?" He raised an eyebrow, "What do protozoans eat, then?"

"Oh? Admitting you don't know something?" Shizuo smirked, litting up another cigarette.

Izaya sighed, "I was merely joking. I should have some chocolate milk. Namie likes it."

"I'll have some."

Izaya fetched the drink, as well as some canned coffee for himself.

He tossed it at the blonde, and asked:

"So? What is that magical secret thing I don't know?"

Shizuo didn't answer right away. He took his time sipping on the chocolate milk.

"Well?"

"If you truly know everything, then tell me this. How do I die?"

And Izaya froze.

How does he-

He felt cold suddenly. He couldn't explain why exactly, but something felt really wrong.

He chuckled nervously, "Since things that kill normal people don't work on you, I'd say you die old." Unlike me, was left unsaid.

There was a bitter taste on his tongue, but he didn't spare it much thought. He didn't have time to do so.

"No." Shizuo said. And that simple no made Izaya's heart skip a bit.

How was that possible? What in this world could possibly kill that monster-!?

"In fact, I don't think I'll be much older than now."

Now?

But-

Izaya looked down on his hands. Shadows from his bangs covered his eyes as he asked: "Who?"

There was a moment of silence.

"Izaya, let's just drop it-"

"Who, Shizu-chan!?"

Izaya didn't see Shizuo's expression, as he said:

"Myself."

It was as if the time stopped. The raven slowly raised his head to look at the blonde.

"So you lost." He was smiling.

Shizuo was smiling.

"Shizu-chan-"

Izaya felt... bad.

He couldn't recall a time when he felt like this in his entire life.

Shizuo will kill himself.

It was... wrong.

He closed his eyes.

And in that moment, Izaya realized, that even though Shizuo will kill him... "I don't want you to die."

It was a mere whisper, and he winced upon hearing himself say that. He looked at Shizuo, and Shizuo was looking back at him, both of them surprised by his words.

"What?" the blonde asked quietly.

"Shut up."

"No, please, say that again-"

"No! I will never ever admit that I said that!"

And Shizuo smiled again.

"Thank you, though."

If it was the other way around, and it was Izaya who witnessed Shizuo blushing, he'd certainly make fun of it. Shizuo however let him keep his dignity by staying silent.

The cigarette was idly held in his hand, and ashes were falling onto the floor, the couch and his clothes.

"You're going to clean it," Izaya said, pointing at the mess.

"Of course,"

Izaya took a sip of his canned coffee, reluctant to meet Shizuo's gaze.

It was weird. Awkward. They just sat on his couch, not saying anything. Next to each other, yet so far away.

Izaya closed his eyes. His Vision remained unchanged. He tried to kill and escape from Shizuo, but none of it worked. Maybe he was looking at it all wrong. The blonde offered him friendship, and Izaya knew that he wouldn't harm his friends. So, maybe that was the key to changing his destiny.

They'd be friends. And maybe, just maybe he could prevent both of their deaths by making this decision.

The week given to him by Yakuza passed quickly. He was surprised how well Shizuo fit into his life. The blonde would come visit every day after work. Namie would almost immediately leave, still not used to the new relationship between them. Then, they'd eat late dinner, because of course Izaya is too busy to remember to eat. Sometimes, Shizuo would show Izaya his brother's movies, always beaming with excitement. They'd also talk. A lot.

Another thing that surprised Izaya was that he wasn't as stupid and simple as he'd assumed. Not that he'd admit it, but he actually enjoyed their conversations.

They were sitting on the couch, Izaya with his black coffee, and Shizuo with his chocolate milk. It was already late, but somehow none of them felt like stopping.

Izaya's phone rang. He looked at it only briefly, and upon reading the name "Shiki" he decided to ignore it.

"Maybe it's something important." Shizuo said questioningly.

Izaya waved his hand dismissingly, "It's work."

"Doesn't that count as important?"

"Nah," he snorted, then yawned for the tenth time in five minutes.

One of Kasuka's movies was playing in the background, as they both struggled to keep awake.

"How can you be sleepy? You're drinking this disgusting thing 24/7." Shizuo laughed, fighting to stop a yawn of his own.

Izaya shrugged, "Maybe I've grown immune."

"Huh," Shizuo huffed, and the raven shivered as he felt his breath on his neck. He didn't even realize they were sitting this close. But now, Shizuo's shoulder against his own was burning, and his eyes on him piercing.

Somehow, Izaya forgot all about his sleepiness, as the blonde strands tickled his cheek. He froze. He was too afraid to even look in Shizuo's direction.

Seconds passed, then minutes.

Izaya dared to glance at the blonde and had to hold back laughter. He was asleep. Shizuo was asleep in his apartment. On his couch. With his head on his shoulder.

It was weird, but... Didn't feel wrong. Quite the contrary. Izaya sighed, and hesitantly rested his head on top of Shizuo's. He knew he should probably wake him up, throw him out or something, but... He didn't feel like it. So he fell asleep with a smile on his face, lulled by his greatest enemy's warmth.

That's all for today's update! Hope you like it :3 See you once I finish the 6th chapter!!!