Title: Things that change for better or for worse
Chapter 29: Discussing the Change 2
By: Sissy

Disclaimer: DRRR shall never belong to me otherwise there'd be more yaoi.
Warning: Uh… That. And the 'his' is on purpose.

"So, I guess all's well that ends well. Right?" Erika asked with a bright smile as she put the sushi in her mouth. Saburou had screamed from the other side of the table, demanding to know why she had taken the piece he had been aiming for. Walker extended one of the same towards him before the two got into a fight.

"I suppose." Both Anri and Ruri had spoken at the same time. The actress was caught off guard by it and resumed to helping her son eat correctly. Ruka was very excited about there being so many people around him.

"But that was just stupid, really." Masaomi spoke honestly, still feeling pretty ticked off. The newly adorned finger had caught the eye of the owner and Simon, who had proceeded to congratulate him. Saki sported a similar ring to his and sat by his side. They took the place of the guests of honor in the separated room. "All this because my best friend won't accept his gay? Be merry for all I care!"

"It does explain what Ryugamine-kun let slip to me. He had said he wanted to grow. I assume then it's because he didn't feel like he was good enough for Shizuo-san." Anri threw her theory out there and saw Erika grin. The woman assumed that her camera had been broken, but if it had survived, it would have made her whole day even better.

"Rather than growing, it seems he was rather broken into something resembling an adult." Kasuka spoke up and most had now turned to look at him. "I forced Mikado-kun to tell me about his stay in America that day after he fainted and was in my care."

"He fainted?" Aoba looked genuinely worried but didn't move from his spot to go running off after his sempai. He knew Kururi wasn't about to let him and he was pretty sure that Mikado was alright in the hospital.

"Oh, yes. He was donating blood and fell after trying to run away from Shizuo-san." Ruri explained and grabbed hold of her son, who was trying to stand up on the table.

"You're not supposed to do that?" Masaomi was confused and saw Aoba sigh disappointedly in another direction. Mairu had started to laugh at him and Kururi jabbed her a bit to shut her up. Chikage answered his question with food in his mouth and heard Anri repeat it.

"No, Kida-kun. You're not supposed to do any kind of heavy lifting after donating." Chikage nodded in agreement, as did Walker and Kyohei. "But what did you mean he was broken into something resembling an adult, Yuuhei-san?"

"Oh. It seems Mikado-kun went through many trials to strengthen his character. But rather than allowing him to naturally react the way someone else that has gone through a similar ordeal would, Mikado-kun reacts based on a training of fear." Kasuka tried explaining but noticed Anri, Masaomi and Aoba with a sour look on their faces so he added, "Well, it's not a bad thing. Mikado-kun might not realize that he's done something until right after he's done it but he accepts it as necessary in order not to fear."

"But will he be alright?" Anri asked worriedly, not touching any of her food now.

"He'll be alright." Erika replied without any worries. "Mikapuu isn't as weak as we think he is. As the Leader, he did pretty absurd things. Now he just does them as himself and for himself, rather than other people." Kyohei and Walker nodded in agreement, remembering the things Mikado put himself through just so he could be of help to others and the Dollars.

"I'll agree. But only 'cuz it seems like Mikado gave Izaya a good run for his money. Does anyone even know what the hell he hoped to achieve today?" Masaomi asked and saw Erika's wide grin. The pregnant woman had even begun to chuckle as Ruka escaped his mother grasp and tried to look outside the room.

"Izaya-san was jealous, right?" Aoba asked with a bored look on his face as he took a piece of sushi into his mouth. "He's been trying to capture sempai for a long time. Probably even from the time they first met. He's even barged into sempai's old apartment back when I was getting tutored."

A lot of faces turned sour, most thinking, What a creeper. "Ah, I'm so glad we beat him up." Masaomi cheered happily, remembering what had happened just a few hours earlier. He quickly grabbed Ruka who was passing by and ruffled his hair. "Thanks, Ruka-chan! You've totally made my day!"

The boy tried to escape but Masaomi didn't let him. He seemed embarrassed by the display of affection or simply didn't enjoy it. "Isn't he cute? Prepare yourself, Yumacchi. He might be ours." Erika drooled and neither of the star parents seemed preoccupied with her words.

"What? We're having a child, Erika-san. You can't just steal someone else's son." Walker seemed angry with his wife but Kasuka raised his hand to intervene.

"I apologize. But it seems as though Ruka-kun is infatuated with your wife's child. I'm almost certain he'll find a way to steal it. So it's not as though Erika-san will steal Ruka-kun." Kasuka explained, leaving a few confused faces.

"Eh? Then Ruka-kun wants us to be a family?" Walker asked, glancing at the child who now was looking in his direction.

"Yes!" Erika cheered and stole the boy, bringing him towards her. "That means we'll be family with Shizu-chan and Mikapuu! And I'll have all the BL that I want!" Her drool was starting to fall and Ruka felt he should retreat in the meantime by running towards his mother.

"Well then, let's celebrate to new families!" Masaomi wasn't entirely sure what had just happened and decided to just go with it. Saki followed his lead, as did Anri and Chikage. Kyohei and Saburou followed after, as did Walker and Erika, once the husband got his wife to notice the situation. Kasuka and Ruri lifted a glass nonchalantly and Kururi forced the two at his side to do so as well. Simon had screamed from the other side, celebrating with them.

… … …

"All I've ever wanted was for you to stay by my side." Shizuo spoke softly, sitting right next to Mikado's bed. He had gazed up towards the other and noticed he hadn't tried to look away. "I liked your cooking and I thought it was the most obvious thing for you to be there with me."

"Back then…" Mikado began and Shizuo heard him out. "I really liked seeing Shizuo-san smile when eating my stuff. I wanted to be there all along and stay forever. But it was so sudden for me, I was scared of myself. We were doing alright as friends, so how could I ask for anything more? I couldn't do such a thing when all I wanted was…"

Before Mikado could finish, Shizuo got closer to the injured male and spoke up. "You've more than paid the debt. I need to pay mine now for making you doubt yourself. I want to make you smile again. I want to see the Mikado who used my kitchen as his personal work space."

"Didn't you hate that?" Mikado asked, tears falling from his face but a soft smile spreading at the same time. Shizuo shook his head and smiled back, wiping away the tears from his face. "Then what now?"

Shizuo thought about what kind of answer to give him before he finally spoke up. "Well you need to get better so rest for the moment. Also, start picking up my phone calls." Mikado chuckled at that and heard Shizuo finish. "Then, move in with me. But first…" Although Mikado was surprised by Shizuo's sudden request, his breath nearly stopped as their lips met. It wasn't the first time though.

To Be Continued…