And so I received feedback that writing in point of view is too confusing so I've decided to write it this way~ Hope it's less confusing this way~ Sorry for taking so long to update. Had projects to complete and school was in the way but enjoy guys~

Chapter 9: Conversations

"Sometimes, all it takes is a conversation to bring two enemies closer."

Honestly, Izaya didn't think he would stay. After all, Izaya had made his life a living hell for the past few years, angering him any chance he got to. But.. Izaya couldn't help but rejoice silently at the brute's decision to stay. Shizuo was going to stay here... Wait... What were they supposed to do together...? They had never once been this civil and the last time Shizuo was in his house, Izaya was being forced to flee to his safety from having his own couch being thrown at him. What were they suppose to do now? Whether it was a wise decision for Shizuo to stay or not was difficult to answer. Though the man had been his enemy for those eight years, he would willingly forgive and forget each and every one of them if it'll somewhat ease both of their troubles and worries at the moment. After all, Izaya only did it to annoy Shizuo. But now that he was staying over the male's place, he wasn't sure how to deal with the awkward silence between them now. Shizuo sighed mentally, choosing to stare nothing in particular, trying to entertain his mind with anything that could keep him occupied. He was not gonna start a conversation with someone who just teared himself up because of him.

Izaya took in a deep breath and let out a deep sigh "Umm..so... How's Ikebukuro without me..?" Izaya already knew the answer but he figured breaking the awkward silence would be a good thing. After all, he wasn't going to just sit there with Shizuo by his side and both sharing moments of silence. A conversation might start the ball rolling, he hoped.

"Ah..?" His ears perked up at hearing the question, returning his gaze back at Izaya. "Not as lively as before.. And Simon's always asking me if I've seen you somewhere since you haven't visited them in weeks.." He smiled a little at the thought, breaking it off soon after he noticed the other was looking at him.

Izaya's eyes lit up upon hearing that he was missed back in Ikebukuro. Who knew the feeling of being thought of and missed could feel this warm? Izaya felt like a small kid back again when people actually liked his existence and didn't condemn his very being. But, everyone has their opinions and as to why Izaya became a heartless bastard, that was still a secret he couldn't reveal. He had no intention of telling a soul either.

Izaya gave himself a light slap to the cheek reminding himself that this could all still be a lie. After all, he was Orihara Izaya. The famous heartless, mean information broker that ever existed. Just his words would be enough to manipulate you to your own demise or so the rumors have said though it wasn't really just a rumor. People were just that easy to manipulate.

Shizuo had to raise a brow at the Izaya's peculiar behavior. First his eyes seemed to glint like a child who had just received a treat, then he slapped himself and the light on his eyes died a little before speaking up. The whole act wasn't noticeable unless you were looking at him really, and the blond just happened to watch how the male's true feelings would open up and shut himself down the moment his mind would be conscious about it. He chuckled without a second thought, caring less if the other would think he had gone in to the deep end because of it. The man's behavior was truly a rare sight he had to fond over, one could even deem the small faze as... cute. Wait, did he really just thought of the informant as cute?

Ahh Shizuo saw his cycle of mixed feelings. It was silly really. He had only ever shown different sides of himself to Shinra once and that was because he was fragile at that point in time but somehow, he didnt mind having Shizuo see the other sides the infamous informant actually had. To be honest, he wanted Shizuo to know more about him. It felt weird to have that thought but it was true. Somehow, having Shizuo by his side without any signs of killing him was really comforting and nice for a change. And for once, he actually saw Shizuo smile and laugh because of him. The act was simple yet it was refreshing to see this expression come from someone who always had the threatening face on whenever he 'sensed' Izaya was close. Somehow, he always knew that having Shizuo as a companion would be interesting but he never knew that it could be this natural.

"Ahh Simon huh~ Guess I do miss his sushi." Izaya sighed in exhaustion and slumped his body weight onto the sofa. He trully missed the fun and excitement Ikebukuro offered. Most of all, he hated to admit it but he really did missed the blond and to think he came all the way just to pay him a visit. Unpredictable as always.

Shizuo's chortle ceased at that point, somehow catching himself off guard from his mind side tracking. He cleared his throat, glancing at the slumped male. "Yeah... there were also a few people whispering here and there wondering where the hell have you been or if I've finally kicked your ass to the curb.."

So this was what a normal conversation felt like between two individuals. No strings attached and no price to pay. Just a decent exchange of words that Izaya never knew he could do. It was more like he had anybody he could share conversations with like this. Everyone was either too afraid or didnt understand him at all. Izaya's eyes shifted to stare at the wall clock as his lips parted slightly "Like that will ever happen. Shizu-chan can never catch me~"

"Pft, I can definitely catch you and that cocky little smirk of yours if you weren't running all over the place.." Shizuo had to acknowledge the fact that he could catch flea if he wasn't acting like one. Always hoping from building to building, always keen on teasing and provoking him until his annoyance meter blew, and always coming back with that mischievous grin of his even after all those times the blond had seem to kicked him out of his turf. All those years of playing cat and mouse almost drove him mad just from thinking about how to catch such a pest. Though as time pass, things have change. Shizuo wasn't chasing the man with much passion as he was back in high school and Izaya only annoys him whenever gave an impression he had nothing important to do. There fights and chases now acted more as a past time rather than before. All of it now had look more as a bad habit than an accomplishment of a goal they had long set aside in the back of their minds.

And even as the seconds ticked away, the mundane relationship they never once had was beginning to form. The hatred that Shizuo and Izaya possessed were being tested and tinkered into a new mode.

Shizuo's eyes traveled back to watching the male, letting the silence sink fly over them before speaking. "...Why did you invite me stay over anyway?"

Honestly, Izaya had no idea why he had stopped the other from leaving his apartment. In truth, he was just maybe afraid of being left alone again. After all, Izaya had grown up living a life of solemnity and Shizuo was the only one that didn't leave him alone no matter how much Izaya agitated the man. Shizuo was always just there, even if it was to kill Izaya, he was always still there. There was never once that Shizuo left him alone if the other sensed his presence. He was just afraid that if he let the male leave, he would never see him again. The thought of never seeing Shizuo again could possibly end his only reason for keeping his mind sane. It might seem crazy and people might view him as insane but really he was still able to survive and keep a sane mind because of Shizuo. Izaya was never accepted by anyone and though he felt like he did not need anyone to recognise his existence, one person did. It might be a bit embarrassing to say it but Izaya owed Shizuo a lot. He was glad that even if the whole world despised his existence, Shizuo said that he needed him. Izaya took a deep breath and gave a slight smile, one to cover the lie he was about to tell Shizuo. He had no other choice... He couldn't be seen as weak and pathetic by Shizuo. After all, he was the infamous mean, evil Izaya that Shizuo wanted to kill so badly.

"I guess I was just bored and could use some company~ Would Shizu'chan be such a kind soul and do that for me~?" Izaya could almost laughed at himself for saying that. He wasn't bored but lonely maybe. He hadn't communicated with another being besides his secretary and the conversations with her were mostly short. He was lonely alright. So. Very. Lonely.

If Izaya thought he could make Shizuo believe anything just by putting the blond's emotions in a knot, he was dead wrong. The fact that Shizuo's emotions are easily manipulated remain true, it was not an easy feat to control- the same as his strength. Though putting in the factor of knowing the informant's hidden emotions in the situation, that's what made Shizuo started to think more about the male's reply. To start with, Izaya was different. Ever since high school Shizuo could tell he wasn't your average being. From the way he dresses up to the way of his thinking, it was clear enough that Orihara Izaya was striking a statement of his individualism. And because of that, little by little, the male was known at school not only for his intelligence but also his good looks; Gathering even a small group of people known as his 'disciples', who would admired him enough to confuse it as idolization. Though as soon as crimson met caramel, both had learned that for every action there was an equal opposite reaction. It was a simple law of physics applied to real life, really. Izaya wanted to meet him and kept on pushing himself on the blond like a parasite until Shizuo pushed back when he met the man. It wasn't much of a surprise when a mutual bond of hate formed between them after their intended attacks.

Shizuo shook his head faintly. There was no use remembering all those years of blood spill now he knew the reason behind those. Izaya could have truly loathe him in the past but time changes things. Maybe he realized it himself that there was no sense in fighting for years if it was only fueled by their hatred? He shrugged faintly, pulling one of his feet up on the couch as rested his head on it. "You know I would've just said no and left earlier if I didn't want to, right? So what do /you/ think?" His eyes locked against the other's own, not really expecting the male to answer his question. After all, masked or not, Izaya was a man full of pride. Admitting to something like this would be similar to defeat for him.

Shizuo: Stop lieing you prick. Just admit you're lonely and the fluffiness can begin

Izaya: SHADDUP SHIZU-CHAN~ It's not easy -sniffsniff- You understand me right readers?

Fushi-Sashimi: Uhhh.. I'll do my best to break down Izzy's walls Shizuo-san. But promise me you'll be nice and not break his heart.

Shizuo: The hell... Now I have to be nice to him to? Oh god just kill me.

Izaya: Gladly~ -already holding flickblade in stabbing position-

Fushi-Sashimi: Woah there.. CHILL PEOPLE! It's just a story. AND THIS TIME NO KILLING JUST LUFFING. UNDERSTAND?!

Izaya: Tch.. Whatever~ I'll kill him later

Shizuo: IIIIZAAAAYAAAA~ Let me kill you now~!

Fushi-Sashimi: Due to technical difficulties, we're unable to keep the situation under control. Please review and pray these two will just shut up and love each forever. Thank you~ Sincerely, Fushi-Sashimi.