Back to normal! Sorry if people didn't like it! I was kinda experimenting with the flow and writing style of the story. But I know now that it's hard for me to write like that xD Although i'm very happy to know that a lot of you did get the message I was trying to put into the fever dream: That Shizuo preferred Izaya over Psyche. =w=b Now, onto the next part!

Shizuo cracked open his eyes, groaning as his blurry vision slowly cleared. He couldn't tell where he was. He only knew that it was dark in the room, and his was tucked under blankets. The only familiar thing was Izaya's face hovering over him.

"Ahh, now you're awake."

"I-Izaya?"

The raven nodded and pulled on Shizuo's shoulders, pulling him up into a sitting position. Shizuo yawned and closed his eyes again as Izaya felt his forehead for a temperature.

"Your fever is going down. But you still look dehydrated. You should eat."

Food didn't sound exactly good at that moment. Shizuo still felt like his head and stomach were flipping after that weird dream he had.

The dream…

Shizuo looked back toward Izaya who had gotten up to get food. The blonde felt himself flush as he remembered the hazy dream. It had taken a weird turn at the end. He could still hear Psyche's voice, and the rapid heartbeat that echoed in his mind. He could still feel Izaya on his lips…in his arms…

If he didn't know any better, he would have sworn it was reality.

"Shizu-chan."

Shizuo looked up toward the door, where Izaya was walking in with a bowl of soup. The smell made Shizuo's stomach wake up and grumble. Izaya sat down in the chair beside the bed and set the bowl on the nightstand.

"Is that chicken noodle?"

"Yeah. I made it while you were asleep. So it's reheated."

"I don't mind. Still smells good." He grunted, mouth watering as the smell intensified. He pushed himself up so he was sitting, and sat on the edge of the bed to face Izaya.

The raven carefully scooped up a spoonful and placed it against Shizuo's lips, catching the blonde off guard as he ate the first spoonful. He winced as it burned his tongue, cursing as he choked it down.

"Shit!"

"You're supposed to blow on it first to cool it down."

"I normally would when it's not shoved in my face! I figured it was already cooled down!"

Izaya rolled his eyes and fed Shizuo another spoonful of soup, blowing on it before feeding him. It didn't scald Shizuo's mouth like the first time, and it tasted twice as good now that he wasn't forcing it down.

"Thanks."

"No need to say thank you." Izaya murmured as he stirred the soup, cooling it off before he ladled another spoonful.

"Still, thanks. You've been doing a lot for me, and I'm sure this is not something you'd ever want to do."

"Who says that I don't want to?" Izaya asked lightly, blowing on the spoonful although he was sure it was cooled down enough.

Shizuo laughed, his chest aching, "Like you'd ever want to baby me while I'm sick. Haha, that'd be priceless!"

Izaya narrowed his eyes and shoved another spoonful of soup into Shizuo's mouth, causing him to sputter and choke as the broth went down the wrong pipe. "Shut your trap and eat." The blonde smiled and took the bowl from Izaya, feeding himself.

"I'm not completely helpless you know. I think I can feed myself."

"If you aren't so helpless, why are you not taking your medication and getting sicker? It's pathetic."

"So, you're only helping me out of pity?"

The raven shrugged, resting his elbows on his knees. "Mmm…more or less."

"So you don't get off on seeing me in pain anymore?"

"Perhaps..." Izaya started, pausing as he thought with a soft sigh, "...in the past I would have. But now I don't find any pleasure in seeing you weak. It's more of a nuisance."

"Huh." Shizuo sipped at his soup, sniffling as his nose began to run from the steam, "Is that the only reason why you're helping?"

Izaya leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, "I suppose another factor would be because of a growing fondness towards you...hypothetically speaking of course. After all, you have become very human in the past months. And you know I can't resist loving my humans. Although you're still enough of a beast to be unpredictable."

Shizuo grinned a bit and ate, feeling his chest swell with happiness. So, he really was starting to melt the flea's heart of ice. He never would have imagined it possible.

"Thanks again."

"Stop saying that."

"No, I don't think I will." Shizuo laughed again when Izaya groaned in response.

"Shizu-chan…why must you be so difficult?"

"Says the one that had always made my life trouble."

Even Izaya smirked a bit at that, and rested his chin in his hands, watching as Shizuo ate. A small feeling of pride washed over him - he was glad to see that the brute enjoyed his cooking.

After a moment, Shizuo set his mostly empty bowl on his lap and sighed. "I think...I think you're my friend..." Shizuo murmured, keeping his eyes on the bowl as he swirled around the contents. Izaya stiffened beside him and watched the blonde as he closed his eyes and sighed.

"Why on earth do you think that?"

"'Cause...the old Izaya wouldn't have ever offered to help."

Izaya narrowed his eyes, "So that makes me your friend now?"

"Yeah." The blonde shrugged, feeling his face heating up slightly. He hoped that his fever would hide it, because he couldn't believe that he was about to act upon a dream he had. But he was sure it meant something. That he had to take this next step - even if it meant making a fool out of himself. His mouth dried up as he whispered, "Maybe something more."

The raven's mouth dropped slightly in surprise, before his mouth upturned into a grin. He laughed, bending forward and clutching his sides as his shrill laugh echoed in the bedroom.

"Ahahahaha!~ That's hilarious, Shizu-chan! Us as friends? Let alone something more than that! Haha, are you going to ask me out next?" He leaned back, sighing and wiping a fake tear from his eye as he giggled mockingly, "Ready to proclaim your love for me?"

Shizuo watched Izaya silently, feeling himself getting angrier as Izaya continued to laugh. But soon, it seeped away into the same dull throbbing he has grown used to. After all, what else could he expect? For Izaya to run into his arms and shout 'Yes, yes! I love you, Shizu-chan!' Hell would freeze over before that would happen.

"I don't know..."

"Eh?"

Shizuo watched Izaya's eyes carefully, clearly seeing confusion on his face before another mask built over it. God, that was so annoying. The ill bartender shifted his gaze to stare at the floor, suddenly feeling shy. "I...I said I don't know."

"I already told you not to confuse me with Psyche." Izaya spat, his voice laced with bitterness. Shizuo shook his head, playing with the hem of the blanket.

"I'm not confusing you with Psyche. I know you two aren't the same."

Izaya grinned, "So you admit that I win?~"

"Not exactly...more like...I can agree that you two aren't the same. You're so different. But...still similar enough. But that's not the point!" Shizuo rambled, rubbing his face with his hands as he tried to think. His mind was still foggy with a low fever. "I...I'm just saying that...I prefer you over Psyche...that's all." He confidently stared into Izaya's eyes, "I would rather have something familiar to focus on that a stranger. Someone I can't hurt. Someone who can handle my strength. Someone who can understand me."

Izaya clenched his fists in his lap, refusing to break eye contact with Shizuo. "So…that means me?"

"Yeah…I think so."

The raven felt a shiver run down his spine as he blinked and looked away, toward the window. Shizuo quietly laid back down on the bed, sitting upright as he pulled the covers over himself.

They sat in silence as they watched the sun set. The room was cast into complete darkness, the only light coming from the hallway light that streamed through the open door. Izaya absentmindedly brushed his hand over Shizuo's forehead, searching for a temperature.

Shizuo's skin tingled under the gentle touch of Izaya's palm on his head. The sensation lingered even as the brunette pulled his hand away. Shizuo's eyes glanced over, trying to catch Izaya's expression. He seemed calm, although his eyes were clouded with thought.

Shizuo wished he could delve inside the informant's mind. If only he could understand what went on in his head. What was he thinking? Was he angry with what Shizuo said? Was he confused? Lonely? Why did he put on so many masks? Why couldn't he just be more open with his feelings?

Even still, those disguises felt more familiar than anything else; sharper than the edge of a blade on his skin, deeper than any cut he received, and more passionate and ablaze than the sun. Seeing anything else on the brunette's face was foreign and unnatural. Maybe that's why seeing Psyche had bothered him. Despite the white and pink man being exactly what he imagined...he was still too much of a stranger.

"It's getting late."

Izaya's voice cut through the silence, causing Shizuo to look away from the brunette and look at the clock. It was nearly 10 p.m.

"I should be heading back to Shinjuku soon."

"Ah…"

Silence fell between them again, filling the air with a heavy discomfort. What more could they say? After all...Shizuo had said a lot already.

"Well then. I guess I'll be leaving." Izaya stood up, using the chair for leverage as he headed toward the door. "I'll be sure to check in early-"

"Stay."

The informant paused, arms laying limp at his sides as he leaned in the doorway. He glanced over his shoulder, although not enough to see the blonde who sat up with his hand slightly outstretched for the brunette.

"Stay…" Shizuo repeated, resting his arm on his lap as he stared out the window. He watched the car lights rush by, sending streaks of light to wash over the room in intervals. "Please stay. Just for tonight."

Izaya wasn't sure what to think. The brute had been throwing curve balls all night, causing him to loose balance and confuse him. He didn't know how to handle this situation, and it pissed the raven off. Part of him screamed to run, or rather hobble, as fast as he could till he was home. Another part wanted to stay and comfort the blonde.

He didn't know which side to listen to. But the tired and lonely tone in Shizuo's voice echoed in his mind, and ultimately caused the informant to turn around and walk back toward the bed. He sat down in the chair and made himself comfortable, staring at Shizuo with indifferent eyes - contradicting the conflicting emotions bubbling up within him.

"You do realize what you are asking, don't you?"

"Yes."

"And you do realize you are asking 'Izaya' to stay. Not 'Psyche'?"

"Yes. I know that."

Izaya sighed, closing his eyes as he slumped in his chair, resting his head back on the wall. "You're so confusing, Shizu-chan." He turned his head away, not wanting to look at Shizuo as he laid back down and closed his eyes. He felt Shizuo's hand brush against his, and turned his palm up so their hands would clasp together. He could feel Shizuo's heartbeat through his skin, slowing down as he succumbed to sleep.

"Izaya…?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't leave…till morning…"

Izaya sighed, squeezing his hand slightly as he closed his own eyes. "I won't."