Waahhh guys! Thank you so much for the comments! We're so glad you enjoy the story! Also, a quick note. Someone asked if people in N.A really dress like how I described Izaya. Yes, and no. Not everyone dresses like that. But it is a fad. Just google "hipster" and you'll see what I mean. He's pretty much just taking trends and following them as disguises, since most people think of Izaya as in his fur jacket. With that said, let's continue!

Shizuo looked at the calendar on his wall and crossed off another day. It had been four months since he first got sick, two months since he had been diagnosed, and 5 weeks since he and Izaya started seeing each other on a regular basis.

Izaya was still showing up daily, meaning he was still interested in helping Shizuo. That, or he forgot their "deal" only lasted a month. Shizuo didn't dare remind Izaya. He still needed the partner and the meds, after all.

Damn…

To think his entire life could flip in less than half a year was mind boggling.

However…he actually felt pretty good about it. It was relaxing to not have to worry about the flea ruining his life. In fact, having him coming over every day was kinda nice. Just talking, without having to worry about blackmail or being cut in the face, was pleasant.

The only thing that was bothering Shizuo was the way Izaya had been acting.

Over the past week, Izaya had been staying farther away; eyes focused on something else and hands always fiddling with something. It was like he had fleas or something - no pun intended.

But he was being pleasant, if it was even possible. Izaya had taken Shizuo down to the pastry shop where he'd bought the cupcakes. He had said that it was so he didn't have to keep running out when Shizuo ran out. Shizuo had thanked the informant a lot, and had went the next day during lunch to try some of the other sweets. He was now particularly fond of the dipped pretzel rods rolled in sprinkles.

The shape of the pretzel rod was more comforting to him than a giant cupcake. He could hold it like a cigarette, suck on the end and make it last for a long time. He found it easier and easier to resist the cigarettes that he had managed to move into his room and into a bottom dresser drawer. "Out of sight, out of mind" was the idea he was going for. By forgetting they were in the drawer, he'd have less of a temptation.

On days when they didn't go for walks, their visits were brief. Shizuo tried to ask Izaya if he wanted something to eat, but Izaya kept saying he didn't want to be poisoned. It pissed the ex-blonde off a bit, but he shrugged it off. Part of this therapy was not only to help his body heal, but to help him control his temper.

He just focused on Psyche. On the soft side of Izaya he was sure he could find deep inside. If he thought about that, it was easier to not get angry. He just pretended the raven haired man was fragile, and didn't deserve to be smacked in the face with a toaster. Still, it was hard from time to time. And Shizuo had thrown a toaster at Izaya one afternoon and managed to knick the informant's elbow.

It felt good. Feeling his strength coming back, and knowing his aim wasn't shitty anymore.

On good days, Izaya would stay a bit longer and would snack on the truffles he brought with him. It was funny, seeing the flea savoring each morsel. He didn't even like sweets, but apparently they weren't all too sweet. Shizuo would love to try one, but Izaya protected them as if they were his children. His own chocolate covered children…

Shizuo shook his head as he stepped out of the train station and walked out into the streets of Shinjuku. Izaya had sent him a text earlier that day saying he had a busy work schedule and wouldn't make it down to visit, and suggested Shizuo coming over there for a few hours.

It felt strangely nostalgic, walking to Izaya apartment. But this time, he wasn't going there in a rampage. Instead, he felt completely calm. As if this was as natural as breathing.

So strange that seeing Izaya would become so natural.

He chuckled to himself when he thought back to high school. He used to dread going every day, knowing he'd have to see the flea. But now, he kinda looked forward to it. He was so unpredictable, it was almost fun.

The last time he had gone to Izaya's, the flea had tried to teach him how to play Chess. Izaya had forcefully given Shizuo the white set, claiming that "it was the only acceptable set for him". He didn't question Izaya's motives; the flea always did things strangely. Izaya was impressed when Shizuo knew the basic idea of the game. But he wasn't surprised when he always managed to trap himself into corners, and was never able to take one of Izaya's pieces. The board was full of black pieces, and scarce of white.

Shizuo promised that one day, he would beat the flea at his own game!

…or at least, manage to take a few of his pieces before being put into checkmate.

The ex-bartender dressed casually; fond of the clothing that Izaya had given him last week. His vacant closet was slowly filling up with various articles of clothing Izaya bought for him, but he found himself liking this particular outfit. He wore a green v-neck shirt, black jeans, and his own pair of dress shoes. A burgundy zip up jacket that rolled at the sleeves was the only extra piece that Shizuo would consider an "accessory"; although Izaya begs to differ.

"Accessories are small things that you don't need to wear, but you do anyways because it just makes you look that much better." he would explain in that know-it-all intonation.

He shook his head at the thought, stopping in front of Izaya's door. Really, why bother wearing extra stuff that would weight you down? He just didn't get it.

Banging on the door with the toe of his shoe, Shizuo knocked heavily. Seconds later, his phone buzzed. Furrowing his brow, he flipped it open and read the text that was sent.

"Still in meeting. Wait outside." ~Izaya

"Tch, damn flea." Shizuo grunted, slipping the phone back into his pocket as he pressed his back against the wall. "Always making people wait."

He waited almost fifteen minutes, and was practically falling asleep on his feet when the jiggle of the doorknob shook him from his dozing. He moved back a bit as the door opened. A man dressed in all white stepped out and glanced sideways toward Shizuo, his narrow eyes examining him carefully.

It felt like Izaya was watching him…

…but ten times worse.