Sorry for the delay! I've had this ready, but my beta was super busy with school work so I just got it back today! I hope you enjoy this next update~! I already have the next one after this ready! I'll post it as soon as I get back from my trip.

He watched as the bedroom light went out, and the curtain were drawn. He refused to move until those curtains opened once more to reveal Shizuo's drugged up body lying in the bed. He didn't care that it was raining heavier now. Large and heavy drops of water collided with his body as he pulled his hood up over his head. Shivering, the raven stood out in the storm as the streets emptied. No one wanted to be left out in this downpour, but Izaya didn't really have a reason to move from his spot on the sidewalk.

Earlier that day he'd received a text from Celty, telling him that today was the day he'd have to suck up whatever issues he had with Shizuo and deal with the consequences. Of course, he didn't show up to see Shizuo off to surgery. At least, not in person. It was better to stay at a distance.

It wasn't time. He wasn't ready.

He doubted he would ever be ready. He knew that even this game had to come to an end. He was in check, and had to move or else he would be knocked down. But where could he move? There wasn't anything he could do, because that brute would somehow inadvertently trap him again. All he could do was call a truce.

But that was a harder move than he ever could have anticipated. So he stood in the rain, waiting until the moment Shizuo returned and when he actually had the nerve to move his feet.

Izaya shivered as the wind blew around him, making his already icy skin colder. He was soaked to the bone, freezing and most likely catching a cold. But it didn't really seem to faze him.

How much time had passed since Shizuo went into surgery? Five minutes? Five hours? Five days? Time just seemed to blur as Izaya remained out in the cold, looking up into the window that remained dark.

Soft footsteps grew louder behind him, but Izaya didn't bother to tear his eyes away from the window.

"Izaya."

Ahh, he recognized that voice.

"Masaomi. What a pleasant surprise." he murmured, narrowing his eyes slightly in response.

"You look like a drowned cat."

"My appearance should be the least of your worries." Izaya said with a sigh, finally turning away to face the blonde behind him. He seemed warm under the safety of his umbrella, but Izaya knew it was probably not much warmer under the thin layer of plastic. He was just dry, that's all.

"May I ask why you're out and about on a dreary day like this?"

"I can ask you the same."

Izaya shoved his hands in his soggy pockets, glaring hard at Kida - who didn't seem to even flinch at the cruel gaze. "You gave me some shitty information. I didn't pay you for rumors."

"I didn't give you the information for the pay. I was curious too. You're the one who told me that curiosity digs up the best information." Kida spat back, shifting his gaze to look up at the hospital window. Izaya wanted to follow his gaze, but couldn't. He felt like he was caught doing something he shouldn't. Normally that wouldn't bother him. But normally, he'd never get caught.

"That I did…" he chuckled with amusement, grinning at the high-schooler, "You would make a good informant."

Kida scoffed, "Like I'd want that profession. I'm never going to grow up to be like you, and I don't want to have anything to do with you." He turned to face Izaya, anxiety and bravery swirling in his golden eyes. "This is the last time I work for you. The last time we'll come in contact."

Izaya shrugged, indifferent to Kida's sudden pride. It's not like he needed the kid anymore, "That's fine by me. I don't really require your services anymore."

"That's what you said last time."

With that, Izaya turned, looking back up at the window. The light were still off, and the heavy weight in his chest remained.

"He's like Saki."

"Hmm?"

"Shizuo. He's like Saki." Kida murmured, walking up beside Izaya. He stared up at the window with a somewhat sorrowful expression on his face. The informant glanced at him, quirking a brow.

"Is that so…?"

Kida nodded, before turning and holding his umbrella closer to him. He made sure to shake it slightly to splash Izaya. He flinched, disliking the water on his face. It made Kida smile slightly.

"Yeah, cause when she was hurt she had this gravity that made me stand outside wanting to go in. Shizuo has that same gravity with you. Shizuo is like Saki in that sense. And I guess that makes you like me…" Kida glanced over his shoulder at Izaya who glared back at him, "…but you already knew that, didn't you?"

Izaya watched Kida walk away, his rain boots splashing in the muddy slush as the rain washed away what little piles of snow were left over from winter.

Soon, it would be spring: a time for renewal, for life. Winter was losing its cold grasp on the city, and Izaya knew that he'd eventually have to warm up too. He would have to get used to the idea that his past was behind him, and that his connection to Shizuo has changed too drastically for him to revert back. Hatred had melted away to something much warmer - much more lively.

He had played this game of cat and mouse for too long. It was time to end it, and call a truce. He'd never be ready, but he had to make the move or be destroyed by the very thing he once hated. But before he could do anything, the hospital room light had to turn on.