Thank you for all the comments!~ 3 Although I don't reply to each one directly, I ensure you I am reading each and every one. And i'm taking them into account when writing. If you want something to happen, I try to weave it in. Although, it might not be as soon as you want~ I do have to make sure this doesn't drag on TOO long, right? xD enjoy!

"Alright. Step two in curing your cravings."

Shizuo jerked back in surprise when Izaya slammed brand new packages of gum onto the table counter between them. He raised his brow and looked at the informant, who was standing proudly with his arms crossed.

"And how is gum going to help me?"

Izaya pushed it toward Shizuo, urging him to look at them. "I have multiple brands and flavors for you to choose from. Whichever you like best, keep in your breast pocket where you would normally keep a pack of cancer sticks. When you get the urge, go through the motions of reaching in to grab a cigarette, and instead grab the gum. Chew on that and voila!~ A new oral fixation that also goes through the movements of satisfying your body's urge to smoke." He smirked, teeth flashing in the fluorescent light, "Brilliant, no? Well it shouldn't be. It's common psychological knowledge."

"Seems pretty smart to me." Shizuo said as he read the packages. Mint, strawberry that turns to mango, cinnamon, and the classic bubblegum. There was a separate package that was different from the rest. Mint flavor as well, but the brand was one Shizuo had never heard before.

"What's this one?"

"Ahh. Nicorette."

"What's that?"

"Special gum. I won't chew it."

Shizuo opened the package to look at the small squares that were lined inside. "Why? What's different about it?"

Izaya leaned forward and pulled out a piece, holding it in front of Shizuo. "These little pearly white beauties have nicotine in them. Aka, the thing in cigarette's that get you hooked. It's not the tobacco that makes you want to smoke. It's the chemical in this piece of gum that makes you want more."

"So if I chew that, it's like smoking but without the smoke."

"More or less."

Shizuo huffed, ripping open a package of the berry flavored gum. "Wouldn't that be back tracking? I haven't wanted to smoke for a while."

Izaya grabbed Shizuo's wrist and held up his hand so his slightly twitching fingers couldn't hide, "You might not want to, but your body does. The Nicolette gum would be like letting yourself get the hit without damaging your lungs. Then you could wean off that until you don't need it anymore. But that's your decision."

Shizuo pulled his hand away, and popped the slice of berry gum into his mouth.

Izaya chuckled with amusement, "I thought you'd want to try cutting it cold turkey."

"Cutting what? What type of saying is that?"

The informant shrugged and walked around the counter to pull up a chair next to Shizuo, "It's just what they say. So, I'm guessing you like the berry flavors best?" Shizuo nodded. Izaya reached over and grabbed the mint package and ripped it with his teeth, "I prefer this."

He sighed, leaning back on the marble countertop as he blew a bubble. He popped it with his teeth, smirking when Shizuo gave him an irritated glance.

"Third step."

"There's mo-FLEA WHAT THE HELL?"

Izaya had reached into his pocket and pulled out one of the infamous white sticks and placed it into his mouth. Shizuo reeled back, slamming his fist on the counter as Izaya flicked a lighter and lit the end. The raven haired man took a quick drag, struggling not to cough as the bitter smoke filled his lungs. He screwed his eyes shut for a moment.

Shizuo growled and reached forward, grabbing the cigarette from Izaya's mouth and crushing it in his hand - ignoring the burn of the embers scorching his skin. He threw it to the ground and smashed it under his shoe, grinding it into the hardwood. He whipped around and grabbed Izaya by the shirt and slammed him into the countertop, pushing him back until he was lying on the marble; legs dangling off the side and back arched awkwardly.

Shizuo hovered over Izaya, keeping him held down as he held back the urge to punch him in the mouth in an attempt to knock out the soft scent that lingered on each calm breath.

"What. The. HELL?"

Izaya smiled, "Just seeing your reaction. I must say, much more quick and violent than I expected. You didn't hesitate to get rid of the source. Very impressive."

"Don't you dare do that ok? I don't want to be around that shit if it's gonna kill me." Shizuo growled, pressing onto Izaya's chest harder. The informant wheezes a bit, still trying to get his lungs to work after that small hit of tobacco. He swallowed and narrowed his eyes, smirking.

"Technically this is my house, I can do whatever I wa-"

Shizuo lifted him and slammed him into the counter again, causing Izaya to smack his head and wince. "Don't. Fucking. Do it."

"You have my word."

Shizuo wouldn't tell if the smile on Izaya's face indicated that he was sincere, or if he was just telling another white lie. He left go of Izaya roughly and grabbed the gum, shoving them into his pockets. He slipped the berry flavor into his breast pocket like Izaya had mentioned, and headed for the door.

Izaya sat up on the counter, glaring with disdain at Shizuo until he realized the bartender was slipping on his winter jacket to leave. He hopped off, pulling his own jacket around him, "Where do you think you're going?"

The ex-blonde glanced over his shoulder before stepping out, "Why do you wanna know?"

"Well, because I'm an informant, so it's my job to know. Plus I'm curious."

"You're always curious."

"One of my flaws."

Shizuo sighed and stopped, turning as Izaya stepped out and closed the door behind him, locking it tight. "Look louse, I'm just going to re-dye my hair. It's starting to fade."

Izaya blinked and stared up at those muddy brown locks that he was growing to dislike. He smiled a bit when he saw the dark shade fading at the roots, showing a hint of his previous hair color; the blonde streaks peeking through.

"You should bleach it."

"Tch, why should I listen to you?" Shizuo growled as he turned toward the stairwell. Ever since the elevator crash - if it could be called that - he has been taking the stairs.

"Because I have better fashion sense. You look better with blonde hair." Izaya retorted as he followed after him, skipping in time with Shizuo's long strides. The ex-blonde huffed as Izaya caught up with him, skipping steps to stay ahead of him by a meter. "Besides, blonde's are more attractive and interesting~"

"Tch, sure it's not just some preference Psyche loves?"

Izaya grinned, "Perhaps. But can't we share the same tastes?~" Shizuo simply shook his head and watched as Izaya bounded down the last steps and landed lightly on his feet.

"Why are you trying to give me advice?"

Izaya spun on his heels and leaned against the exit, pushing to door open as he hummed with thought, "Well…consider it friendly advice? No catch or reason. Just the desire to…lead a friend in the right direction, that's all~" He purred as he held the door open for Shizuo.

Shizuo grunted and shook his head as he passed, grabbing Izaya by the collar to drag him down the hall. Although his grip wasn't tight, and his speed wasn't fast. Izaya could easily keep up.

"Since when were we friends? And wouldn't bleaching my hair make me more recognizable?"

"It might work in my favor having you so easily seen, Shizu-chan. After the party, and with the word that will spread. This might come in handy."

Shizuo raised his brow, "What will spread?"

With a chuckle, Izaya tugged himself from Shizuo's loose grip and walked beside him. "Erika is going to be leaking the word that you and I got frisky in the closet. Many will assume things have grown heated. Might as well put on a show~"

"Doesn't that bother you?" Shizuo asked, a strange look of concern on his face. "I mean…you have a reputation to hate me. Wouldn't business stop if you were associated with me?"

The informant shrugged and sighed, "I have no idea. But I'm taking the risk. Maybe I'll get lucky, and having you around will deter the wrong kind of customers."

"Then…" Shizuo paused for a moment as he held open the front doors for Izaya to slip out into the cold. Although the sun peeked out through the dense snow clouds, the heat couldn't reach the ground. The snow crunched beneath their feet as Shizuo walked up besides an already shivering Izaya, "…then I'll bleach my hair again."

Izaya smiled, instantly causing Shizuo's heart to flutter - but he couldn't decide if it was the deviously sexy demeanor Izaya showed off… if it was the innocent cheer that shone from within. It was just like how he'd always imagined Psyche to smile.

"Smart move." Izaya's smooth as silk voice shook his from his thoughts and made him realize that it wasn't the joyful touch to the grin he loved; it was definitely the sly and sexy side he craved.

They walked side by side, huddling close as the early January wind whipped around them. Shizuo pulled up his hood and ducked his head as Izaya brushed his arms against him. Although their hoods were up, Izaya could feel the linger of eyes on their backs.

Surrounded by humans, many recognized the infamous jacket and remembered Shizuo's face despite his odd hair color. They knew who they were. And they watched to see if the viral news was true. That the fortissimo and the info broker were on friendly terms.

It made Izaya's stomach flip with worry, and built his confidence with each step. Shizuo coughed, the bitter air burning his lungs. It broke Izaya from his train of thought, and made him instantly reach into his pocket. He pulled out a clean handkerchief, handing it to the coughing brunette.

"Here, cover you mouth and breathe through that. It'll block the air a bit and might help." Izaya whispered.

"Thanks…" Shizuo rasped as he covered his mouth and took steady breaths.

"…Anytime."