sent 7:32 [...hey, can I ask you a favor?]

sent 8:21 [sorry, just saw this. I was out with Celty. Is everything okay?]

sent 8:22 [No. I'm with the police now. my apartment got broken into. It's completely trashed. I need somewhere to stay the night.]

sent 8:22 [what? Really now? That's awful]

sent 8:22 [you know Izaya said he was looking for a roommate. His place has two extra bedrooms. You two seem to get along pretty well. Maybe he can help]

sent 8:23 [he's the one who messed up my apartment! WHEN I SEE HIM IM GOINH TO KILL HIMM]

sent 8:23 [huh? why would he do that? Are you sure it was him? Weren't you with him all day? I got the pictures.]

sent 8:23 [YES it was him. Who else would throw buckets of blood around my apartment?]

sent 8:24 [woah! That is something. What you think he stole blood from the hospital? That doesn't sound like him at all. Too risky. Hahaha, or maybe he would do that. But my dad is here on a surprise visit. You know how he get's around you]

sent 8:25 [...]

sent 8:25 [send me Orihara's address, will you? I need to talk to him]

sent 8:25 [yeah sort this out, I bet it's a funny misunderstanding. Don't hurt him too much. Hold on a sec]

Shizuo sat in the waiting area at the police station. It had taken hours to get most of it sorted out. He had been worried that someone from the news would want to interrogate him and have the story in the papers, but as of now they were keeping it under wraps, calling it an elaborate prank. The blood work testing took four hours, and in that time Shizuo had barely been holding on to his temper as they treated him coldly, probably wondering what he'd done to deserve this. The testing came back revealing pig's blood. After that they let him go, and Shinra had finally gotten back to him.

He had invested months of saving up for a better apartment, and now he'd definitely lose the security deposit and two months reikin. It had taken a lot just to ask Shinra for a spot on his couch, and he didn't want to try his few remaining friends unless he had to. His last resort was calling his parents, but he knew if he told them about this they'd be stricken and be thinking the worst. Which was why he was going to the source and would find Izaya and teach him a lesson about messing with him.

His phone vibrated and Shizuo checked the message. It was an address in a more expensive area of Ikebukuro. It would only take 30 minutes to walk there and Shizuo decided to go at a light jog. He felt out of place opening the doors to the elevator of the apartment complex. His apartment building didn't even have an elevator.

Izaya lived high up on the eighth floor. Shizuo checked the numbers on his cellphone before ringing the bell. He waited and was about to ring the doorbell once more when through the door, several locks came undone and Izaya opened the door.

"Ah, Shizu-chan, what can I–"

All the pent up rage lashed out the moment he saw that irritating smirk. He was aiming a punch once there was enough space for his fist to go through. His punch met air and Shizuo barged further in, throwing punches. Izaya backed all the way to his couch.

"You fucking pest! what the fuck do you think you're trying to do, huh!?" He took another step forward and saw his dirty shoes on nice wooden floors. Habit had him chucking them off before rushing towards Izaya again.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Izaya flipped over the back of his sofa and Shizuo lifted the huge black furniture over his head.

"You got someone to break into my apartment! The fuck is wrong with you?"

"I didn't do that! Shizuo, stop. No, no, no, no, you put my couch down!"

And Shizuo did, aiming the sofa at Izaya who dodged it. The sofa broke in half against the floor and hit the wall. It missed the window by a foot.

"Shizuo," his tone changed as he turned serious. The danger sparked the air. "That could have gone through the window and what would you do if it fell on someone? Don't make me call the police." Izaya sighed as he used his toe to brush away a broken piece of wood. "How about you tell me everything that happened from the beginning?"

Shizuo was shaking in his anger. He hadn't meant to react like he had, but he couldn't help it. "You...you know what you did, you ass."

"I think I deserve an explanation after all of these groundless accusations and for messing up my furniture." Izaya said as he surveyed his damaged property. "But first, I'll make us some tea. I'd offer you a seat on my couch, but you'll have to make do with a cushion."

"What?" Shizuo was still standing stiff as Izaya walked to a sofa cushion that had fallen to the floor and tossed it over. He had to unclench his fists in order to catch it. The rage was still there, but now he could think clearly again. He almost felt bad about the broken sofa and the scratch marks in the floor and walls, but then he remembered the state of his own apartment and no longer felt bad. He sat down on the cushion in order to help him calm down. A minute later, Izaya came back with a tray that he set on a coffee table. The tea was served in tiny porcelain cups that looked like they'd break if he so much as glared at them.

"It's camomile, no caffeine," Izaya said and took his own seat across the coffee table.

Shizuo hadn't eaten or drank anything since leaving work. He held the tea cup as he would a child's wrist, and took a few timid sips. Izaya did the same before setting it down. "That's better. So will you tell me why you are here so late at night? I assume Shinra gave you my address."

"Yeah, he did. But you already know what's going on, right."

"I really have no idea."

It was difficult to read Izaya's face if he was lying or not, but Shizuo would rather trust his instincts. "Does getting someone to throw blood around my apartment ring any bells?"

"Actually, no, it doesn't. Eh, so someone broke into your apartment and dumped blood everywhere? That's really messed up. Was it human blood?"

"No. It was pig's blood."

"Huh? Like a ritual? Was there any writing or symbols? Were they trying to summon you or make an offering to you?"

"What the fuck's wrong with you? It was just blood thrown around and it ruined fucking everything. I was detained at the police station, and then I came here because this was obviously a setup by you."

Izaya took a sip of his cup of tea. "And what makes you think that I would do that?"

"Because you've been harassing me since you came."

"I didn't bother you at all today. I was trying to make up for yesterday."

"By changing my schedule so I'd have to deal with your annoying face? How about leaving me alone, huh?"

Izaya swirled his teacup and stared into it. "Sorry, but I don't believe that's possible." His eyes flicked up. "It's unavoidable that we'll see and work with each other. If we have a bad working relation it'll show in our work. We'll have to work out our differences so it's much better that we try to get along, right."

"Are you kidding me?! You're the one trying to get a rise out of me!"

"Yes, I already apologized for yesterday. I was merely curious."

Curious? Curious? Who the fuck was he fooling? And that bastard sure as hell didn't apologize for shit.

Izaya continued with that insufferable grin. "No guarantees, but I'll try my best not to annoy you, okay."

"Yeah? And what about my apartment? You expect me to believe that you had nothing to do with it."

"Yes, because I didn't. I was with you the entire day. When did I leave work to go to your apartment? Did I ever make a single suspicious phone call or text?" Izaya rolled his eyes and held out his phone. "Do you need to check my call history, too? See, nothing." He scrolled down the list of calls he made, and there were only a few that day and most were names he could recognize. Izaya then went to his texts. "I only texted Shinra today. So unless you think that he did it with me, I didn't have anything to do with what happened to you. Do you believe me now?"

"No," Shizuo muttered. "That doesn't mean anything."

Izaya sighed and slipped his phone back into his pocket. "All right. How about this? I can track down the one who did it. I'm very good with my way around the Internet. Maybe I can find a lead."

Shizuo still didn't believe him. Probably Izaya would pull a random name out of his ass. Though if Izaya wouldn't admit it, then Shizuo had no proof besides the fact that he just knew it was him. "What's the point? I know it was you. And when I get proof, I won't just break your bones, but I'll reset them as many times as I feel you deserve."

That detestable grin grew. "Ah, how terrifying. I better clear my name then. Is there any more information you can give me about this? Like the time your apartment was broken into?"

Shizuo frowned. "Maybe around three."

"And do you know anyone who would want to do this to you, besides me of course."

"I don't know. I put a lot of people in the hospital through the years. I never knew who they were."

"Okay. Then do you remember if they would have been from a gang? Were they wearing any colors?"

"How should I know? They were mostly punks looking for a fight."

"That description could be anyone. So nothing stood out to you?"

Honestly, Shizuo wouldn't have been able to identify them if he walked past them on the street. They were all the same to his eyes and no one stuck out to him. Only the pest in front of him did. "No."

"Uh-huh. Well, I'll see what I can find. In the meantime, you're more than welcome to stay the night. You're apartment still needs to be cleaned, right?"

"More than cleaned. Apparently both the walls and floors were ruined."

"Then let me call some people who'll be able to fix it."

Shizuo grimaced. "I don't need your help."

"But you think I did it, and I want to prove to you that I didn't. It's really no trouble for me. Someone owes me a favor, so you don't need to worry about the cost."

That certainly sounded shady as fuck. But if the flea made this mess, it only made sense that he'd clean it up too. It actually took a big weight off his shoulders if he didn't have to deal with his landlord breathing down his neck. "Fine. But just because you clean up this mess won't mean I'll go easy on you when you finally admit that you did it."

"That's fair." Izaya finished his tea and set it on the table. "So would you like to stay over? It's a little late to book a hotel room or ask a friend."

"Stay over?" Shizuo scoffed. "Yeah right. I'm not staying. I'd rather sleep on a bench than spend the night near you."

"Shizuo, it may be spring, but the nights are still freezing. Don't be ridiculous. You were tired all morning today, how will you possibly function tomorrow?"

The annoying part was that he was right, and Shizuo detested him even more. "Ugh. I can't believe this, fine! But only tonight!"

"Great." Izaya grinned a little too wide. He pointed somewhere to the right. "You can use the guest bedroom. It's the third door on the left over there. If you're hungry I have left overs in the fridge or you can help yourself. There is a washing machine and dryer. Use anything you want."

At the mention of food, Shizuo realized that he had skipped dinner. He was taken aback with how generous Izaya was being. If Shizuo would guess, it was as if he were...excited? Well, not quite excited, but something close. It made him think that maybe he had jumped to conclusions. But this could still be him tricking him again.

"Thanks. I guess I could have a bite to eat. I forgot about dinner."

"Sure. While I warm something up for you, you can take a bath or shower. You smell like you've been chain smoking for hours. Come on, get up." Izaya was already standing and herding him to the direction of the bathroom. Shizuo placed the empty tea cup in the saucer. "Does salad and grilled fish sound alright to you?"

"Uh, yeah. I don't really care."

Izaya opened a sleek black door to a walkway that led to the shower. Everything looked clean and orderly. Actually, Izaya's entire apartment was spacious and new. It must have cost a small fortune to live in a place like this. Shizuo was just barely getting by with his own apartment. "Hold on a second," Izaya said, "I'll get you something to change into." Izaya came back a minute later with folded up clothes that he set down on the counter. "Okay that should be all. I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything."

"Uh...yeah, thanks."

Izaya closed the door, and Shizuo stood there for a few moments wondering what the fuck he just agreed to. He should just forget about all of this and leave because surely this would bite him in the ass. But the flea was right, it was too late to go asking someone to stay over and he didn't know which hotels had affordable rooms available. He sucked back the wrong feeling and he told himself that it was only for the night.

From the huge mirror on the wall, his reflection showed just how tired and stressed he looked. The counter was clean with just the bare necessities: a red toothbrush, soap, mouthwash, and toothpaste. Tucked in the corner was a scale. Shizuo took of his clothes and set them on the counter. The doors opened to a tub twice as big as his own and a shower. Since it wasn't everyday that he could enjoy a huge bath, he started one.

While waiting for the bath to fill up, he sat on a stool and turned on the shower head. His own shower would spray him with cold water before warming up, but this one was warm the moment he turned the handle. Against the wall was an assortment of containers of shampoo, conditioner, and body washes. Shizuo picked a random one for his hair. It was minty and the bottle read tea tree oil. Shizuo had never even seen that kind in the stores, but then again, he only ever bought his shampoo at the supermarket. He poured some body wash and lathered in between his hands. Again, he couldn't quite tell what the smell was, but it reminded him of what Izaya smelled like and he almost went without it, but he also wanted to be clean. As the liquid soap went against his skin, it had a cooling effect that tingled. He washed everything off and by then the bath was high enough that he could sit in it comfortably.

The hot water quieted the anxiety of the day and Shizuo's muscles relaxed as he calmed down. He put his legs up so the water could run down his legs. It was nice to be able to stretch out in a tub, especially one long enough for his legs. Leaning back, the water rushed over his torso and Shizuo breathed in the steam. Shit, this was nice. He was beginning to sweat and he washed his face. When the water reached his shoulders, Shizuo turned the faucet. He stayed like that for a good ten minutes before deciding he had enough and pulled the plug. Already, he felt much better. His complexion appeared more calm when he had stepped into the joined room where the clothes and a towel were waiting for him. He took in a deep, relieved breath; however, all that the bath managed to do for him was negated in a moment as he pulled on the borrowed white shirt that was obviously a few sizes too small for him. The material, though nice a soft, clung to him. He ignored the boxers completely and slipped on the black shorts that were shorter than he normally went for. They were practically only boxers.

"The hell is this?" Shizuo muttered.

In the mirror he looked ridiculous. The shirt didn't even fully cover his stomach. He looked like a kid who had gone through a sudden growth spurt. Did Izaya even fit into this shit? Shizuo doubted that Izaya could pull this off even if he was a skinny ass flea. He stepped out into the hall.

"Hey, Izaya! What is this, clothes for fleas? Don't you have anything bigger?" Izaya was in the living room, sitting down and pouring himself a cup of tea. He turned as Shizuo walked in and on his face his grin grew. Bastard.

"Sorry those are my biggest things."

"What the hell are you saying? I'm looking right at you and your clothes are much bigger than mine."

"Those are my biggest clean clothes. I haven't done laundry in a while."

Shizuo tsked. Of course. "What, did you own this when you were eight?"

"Seven actually."

"Fuck you!"

Izaya laughed and pulled out his phone from his hoodie. "It looks great. How about you strike a pose!" The sound went off as Izaya took a picture. He continued to take them even as Shizuo stomped over.

"Would you quit that! Give me that phone." Shizuo leaned down and the bastard was still taking photos and laughing in his face. Izaya was quick as Shizuo tried to snatch the phone.

He was so annoyed, he lunged and continued to fight for the phone even as Izaya lost his balance and they both fell, Shizuo just managing to catch himself. The phone dropped and with his eyes on the blasted smart phone, Shizuo reached over and got it a little ways over Izaya's head. "How the fuck does this work?" He tried to work the buttons to delete all the photos that Izaya took, but instead he couldn't figure it out and was taking a series of rapid photos. As he struggled, he finally looked at the pictures he was taking. The most recent one was Izaya sprawled on the floor, his eyes wider and more innocent than usual and his face flushed.

Shizuo looked past the displayed image, to see if what he was seeing was true and not just the lighting of the camera, but there was a warmth to his complexion and an openness as he was caught off guard. Belatedly, Shizuo knew the cause. He hadn't noticed how close he actually was or that he was straddling and completely over Izaya.

Warmth passed his face, and a hint of arousal stirred his interest. By accident, he dropped the phone and it fell on Izaya's face. He leaned back, but that only put them closer and made it harder to concentrate on not panicking over nothing. Both of their legs were long so he had to be careful as he stepped back.

Izaya rubbed his cheek where the phone had hit him, and with narrowed eyes, he looked more like himself and the moment of whatever the fuck that was passed. He must be exhausted if even the flea was turning him on.

Izaya sat up and checked his phone if there was any damage to it. He looked at the photos and grimaced. "That almost hit my eye."

"Well, you deserved that." And more.

"That's so mean." Izaya was still rubbing his face. "And after I made you dinner, too. Some thanks."

"Yeah, yeah, thanks."

"And are you going commando? I thought I felt something."

Shizuo stiffened. "...well, I'm not going to wear your boxers."

His eyes lowered as if he was trying to see something. Shizuo put a hand over his face and his anger was itching to come out. "Just...show me where the washing machine is, please." The last word came out forced.

"Yeah, all right. This way." Shizuo stood, followed him, and retrieved his folded up clothes before they went in the washing machine.

"These are really the biggest clothes you got?" Shizuo asked.

"I have something bigger if you don't mind a sweater."

"That's fine."

"Okay, then pick something you want." Izaya had one of those walk in closets that Shizuo had only ever seen on TV and never in real life. Hanging in neat rows were black coats, and Shizuo steered clear away from the fur lining the lot of them. Jeez, Shizuo knew there was something addled in his brain, but to see it for real in his closet? How was he a trained medical doctor again?

He didn't expect to find anything as he pushed aside the hangers. There were some wool sweaters, though they all looked too warm. He finally saw a simple vest and it fit him even if it was snug.

"The food is getting cold," Izaya said and Shizuo saw that he was texting someone. Probably Shinra.

"Yeah, I'm ready."

The food was set out on the kitchen table. "It's saba shioyaki."

It was still strange that Izaya was being so nice. He sat down at the kitchen table while Izaya cleaned the dishes. "Thanks for the food." Shizuo mumbled before taking his chopsticks and taking a bite. The texture was crisp and the taste was satisfying. There were three types of salad dressing and Shizuo chose the sesame. "It's good. You're not half bad at cooking."

"Hmm. Is Shizu-chan complimenting me?"

"Yeah, it doesn't taste like shit."

"Heh. That means it must be excellent, right. Better than what you're used to."

"I wouldn't go that far." Shizuo said while chewing. But it was good, just like the lunch that Izaya made for him.

"Would you like anything to drink?"

"Water, please." A few moments later a glass was set down next to him. Still Shizuo couldn't wrap his head around any of this. "Why are you being nice to me all of a sudden? It's weird."

"I told you I was a nice person."

Shizuo snorted.

"When I want to be." Izaya amended. "And I was serious about not trying to annoy you." All of it sounded suspicious, like Izaya was waiting for him to let down his guard before pulling the rug from under him. There was also the big 'why' question that Izaya was evading. "I want us to work well together. I think we could have some fun."

This reminded him of what Izaya said, about being bored. Maybe Izaya was just bored and soon he'd lose interest. Shizuo hoped that was the case. "Hmm."

Izaya dried his hands. "I'll be on the computer looking for anything. Put away the salad dressings when you're done and you can leave the dishes in the sink."

Shizuo was almost done and he nodded his head. He could relax once Izaya was out of the room and he enjoyed the rest of his fish and salad. He wasn't used to opening someone else's refrigerator, but if Izaya didn't mind than Shizuo didn't either and he saw that it looked like Izaya had recently gone grocery shopping. He put the three bottles inside and then decided to do the dishes. It was the least he could do and it allowed him some time before he had to see Izaya again. He wiped down the counter and the table, then dried his hands just as Izaya had done before before returning to the living room.

The sofa looked awful against the wall. "You want me to do something about that?" Shizuo asked. Izaya looked up from his computer screen.

"I don't think there's anything you can do to fix it. Just leave it."

"My bad."

Izaya grinned and resumed whatever he was doing. "It's okay, you were angry."

Shizuo didn't really know what to do with himself.

"The remote is on the counter if you want to watch TV."

He would have just gone to sleep, but he still had to wait for his clothes to be put in the dryer. He sat on a cushion and flipped through the channels, not stopping on anything for too long. He stopped randomly on one, not because he was interested, but because it was quieter than the others. While resting his head on his arm and leaning against the table, he was only half aware the program was about bees.

His eyes closed and soon he was drifting to sleep. A slight pressure nudging his shoulder woke him up. He groaned and buried his face in his arm. "Go away."

"You can't sleep here, silly." Izaya pushed him back and upright, and Shizuo reluctantly opened his eyes. It was quiet and the TV program had been turned off. He became more aware and stood up, cracking his joints in his bones as he did so. "Is the laundry ready?"

"Already did it."

"You should have woken me up to do it," Shizuo grumbled. He yawned without covering his mouth. "Where's the bedroom again?"

"You're brushing your teeth first. You are civilized enough to do that, right?" Izaya was already pushing him in the direction of the bathroom.

"I don't have a tooth brush."

"I have new ones."

"Oh."

There were multiple unopened toothbrushes in a drawer and one was handed to him. Shizuo ripped it from its box and applied too much toothpaste to the bristles. He ran it under the faucet and began to brush his teeth. Izaya did the same, and Shizuo was too tired to care that Izaya was invading his personal space by brushing his teeth next to him.

Izaya was still brushing his teeth when Shizuo was done and leaving to find the bedroom. He opened a door and saw a comfortable bed. Without a second though he climbed in. The pillows and blankets were unbelievably soft. He was half asleep when the door opened, and he didn't quite catch the words Izaya said.

"Hey, that's my bed."

He was already passed out.