It's warm…

Like…being wrapped in sunshine. Or something cheesy like that…

What's this pressure…holding me down?

It feels nice. Safe…

So…comfortable here. I don't want to move.

It feels like…the earth is breathing. I don't remember the ground being so soft…

Where am I anyways…?

Flecks of light shot through the darkness, and Izaya shifted and groaned a bit as the warmth of the rays enveloped him. Blinking, more blinding light began to stream in. He squinted and scowled, wrinkling his nose as he buried his face into the closest object.

Strong arms wrapped around him, holding him close, and he sighed contentedly as the feeling of security enfolded around him. He breathed in deeply, taking in the scent of cheap cologne. It was soothing, and warm. He smiled a bit at that and nuzzled his face into the soft skin.

Wait…

Izaya peeked up, blinking the blurriness from his vision, and stared up at the two honey eyes that cracked open a bit; slightly puffy and glazed over with sleep.

Sitting up abruptly, Izaya pulled himself out of Shizuo's grasp and sat stiffly on his knees. He rubbed his eyes fast with the heel of his palm and watched Shizuo stretch and grunt as he woke from his nap.

"Mornin' flea…" he grumbled with a yawn, running his fingers through his stiff hair. Izaya's lips thinned into a line and he glanced away.

"It's not morning."

"Tch, whatever. Just tryin' to be polite." Shizuo sat up, long legs trapping Izaya in his place. The two stared at each other; eyes squinted and tired, and hair disheveled and sticking up in places. Izaya scowled and crawled off, stumbling to his feet as he stretched.

"I can't believe I slept on such a filthy creature."

"You seemed pretty comfortable to me." Shizuo chuckled as he stood up, leaning to crack his stiff back. "You sleep like a cat. All curled up in a ball and wiggling your face into whatever it's pressing up against." The bartender grinned, "Kinda like how I would imagine Psyche to sleep."

"…Shut up. Stop harboring on fantasies." Izaya hissed as he walked toward the chair where his jacket was draped. "Focus on your health. Not on my subconscious personalities that you believe exist."

Shizuo laughed, feeling much better than how he did before he rested. He glanced at the cigarette still lying on the ash tray, and found it easy to shrug off. "Yeah, speaking of that. Now that we rested, when can we start building up my strength again? I actually kinda miss being able to throw trashcans at you."

Izaya chuckled and shook his head, "Always so violent." He turned toward Shizuo and pulled his jacket around his shoulders, wrapping the arms into a knot around his neck to drape it over his back like a cape. "We can start your training to become a healthy beast tomorrow. I think we spent enough time together today."

Shizuo nodded, "Yeah. So, when do I start chasing you around 'Bukuro again?"

"As tempting as that is, you wouldn't be able to keep up." Izaya sneered, curling in closer to his jacket as he padded toward the front door to slip on his shoes. "Lets just go for brisk walks, neh?"

"In public?"

"Of course not you protozoan. At night." Izaya scoffed, rolling his eyes at Shizuo's stupidity. "If people were to see us walking around all buddy buddy, chaos would ensue. And as much as I adore discord and calamity, I cannot deal with the erratic tendencies humans have toward disruptions in daily life." Shizuo glared at Izaya, crossing his arms.

"Quit spewing out words I don't understand. It pisses me off and makes me feel stupid."

"That's exactly why I'm doing it, Shizu-chan~"

Shizuo growled and stormed to the front door, opening it roughly. "Get out."

Izaya grinned and skipped out, "Gladly!~ But I'll be back tomorrow, unfortunately. I'll head over after dinner. That way we can start our late night walking routines."

Shizuo closed the door behind Izaya, and started to walk back toward the kitchen when he saw a half full bag of desserts on the counter. Izaya had brought him more cupcakes to eat.

He sighed, turning around to open the door and step out. "Hey!" he called, watching as Izaya stopped on a dime and turned part way to face Shizuo. "You know…you didn't have to help me."

Izaya chuckled, "Ahh, but if I didn't, you would have never let me live it down, hmm?" Oh right…Shizuo had made that bet with the flea. Shizuo rubbed the back of his neck.

"I know, but still. Never stopped you from doing what you want before."

The informant shrugged, "Mmm, I felt like being a good Samaritan." He turned to leave again, waving his hand quickly in the air in a half hearted goodbye.

"Wait!"

With a sigh, Izaya turned. "What is it, Shizu-chan?"

Shizuo scuffed his foot against the ground, rubbing his neck with his hand again. He shrugged his shoulder closest to his door and looked back up, "You…wanna stay for dinner? As thanks for helping me out?"

Izaya stared back at Shizuo for a moment, thrown off by his offer. For someone who hates his guts, Shizuo sure was acting generous. His stomach growled a bit, and he moved his arm a bit closer to his stomach to try and block the sound. A flash of worry spread across his face as he thought Shizuo might have heard his stomach answer for him. But when Shizuo simply stood there, foot kicking at the ground and hand rubbing his neck, Izaya was sure Shizuo had no idea what had just happened.

He cleared his throat a bit, and put on a confident smirk. One he knew that would make Shizuo's blood boil. "As kind of a gesture as that is, I'll have to pass. I'd rather not get poisoned~" Izaya sang as he turned again to skip down the stairwell, "Tata for now!"

Shizuo watched Izaya leave with a frown of disappointment, and waited a few moments in silence before going back into his house and locking the door behind him. Rubbing his eyes with his hands, he walked over toward the table to stare at the pack of cigarettes and the unlit cigarette in the ash tray.

"Don't reach for it."

As much as he hated the flea, and wanted to not listen to his advice, he knew the man was right. Shizuo turned away quickly and walked into his bedroom, closing the door behind him; shutting himself away from the temptation that called to him.

He was almost certain Izaya had left it there as one more test to see if Shizuo could refrain from touching the item of his desires.

He only hoped he could pass the test.