The Dreamer – Part three - A dream within a nightmare

Kadota grabbed her before Shizuo could run. As expected, the news hadn't gone down well. She'd been pleased when he'd told her about the house. She'd been irritated when he told her about the extra year and then he'd had to tell her about Masaomi.

Shizuo had flown off the handle and tried to run. Izaya sighed and waited for her tantrum to end. In many ways, she was a woman. In others she was still a teenager. It was going to be up to him and Kadota to keep the younger ones in line.

Mikado stood against the wall watching. Aoba was just looking forward to getting his hands on Shizuo. She had four rings. That should've been enough. But Masaomi needed to be included or it was a bad ending.

"No!" Shizuo lashed out kicking her legs and struggling to get free. She was either going easy on Kadota, or she'd lost her strength during the transition. It would explain why she hadn't been able to prevent either murder. "I don't want him here!"

Kadota held her under her breasts. "Izaya?"

"Shizu-chan, look at me." Izaya stopped in front of her. She stopped kicking and stared into his eyes. With a sigh he wiped her tears with his thumb. "Your dreams haven't happened. Masaomi has to be included or your dream will happen. I don't know why it'll happen, but keeping him with you, will stop your dream from being reality."

"He killed me." She sniffled.

"I know." Izaya smoothed her hair back from her face, watching as she went limp in Kadota's arms.

"I don't want him."

"Until we figure out the truth, we need to keep him."

Shizuo nodded. "Alright."

x-x-x

There were rules. Of course there was. They all had an input and Shizuo hated them. The no sex rule still stood and Shizuo was sick of it. Kadota wouldn't be alone with her and she wouldn't be alone with Masaomi.

Aoba though and Mikado. She could play with them. Although Mikado would likely tattle to Izaya. Izaya had threatened her with consequences.

Shizuo went for Aoba. They didn't tell her what she could or couldn't wear, so she dressed with what she had. She found Aoba in his room, doing homework of all things.

With a smile she draped her arms over him and toyed with the buttons on his blazer. "Breaking the rules already?" Aoba didn't still her hand though.

"I'm bored." She murmured climbing up behind him, her breasts pressed against his back. She winced feeling something snap over her fingers. "What the hell?" There was a zip tie over two of her fingers.

"Rules." Aoba shrugged. "I have homework to do."

"You sure?" Shizuo murmured kissing along his neck.

"You're going to be wearing a straight jacket by the end of the day." Aoba grinned unwrapping a lolly and sticking it in her mouth. "Suck on that instead."

x-x-x

After Aoba she went for Izaya. He could at least cut the ties on her fingers. She found him in his office, since they were all confined within the house. "Izaya."

"Yes, Shizu-chan?" His gaze went to her fingers and the sucker in her mouth. "It hasn't even been a day."

"Can you cut it, please?"

"No." Izaya went to turn away.

"Why not?"

"Because you haven't learnt your lesson."

"When can you cut them?"

"Before you go to bed. No sex until graduation."

"Ugh." Shizuo groaned. "Hugs are allowed though and kisses?"

"As long as they're innocent." Izaya conceded.

Shizuo sat in his lap and rested back against his chest, dragging his arms around her. "Alright then."

"You're not trying anything with me?"

Shizuo snorted. "That would be stupid. Hugs are nice." She sighed playing with Izaya's sleeve. "The sleeping in separate rooms, is that a definite?"

"What do you need, Shizu-chan?"

"Hugs."

"If you can keep it innocent, then maybe."

"Cool."

x-x-x

Shizuo woke up in her bed. She missed the warmth already. The zip tie was still on her fingers. Her bedroom was moderate but empty. Her bed was too big and empty. The sheets were clean, the covers were scratchy and the room felt cold. There was a lock on her door and it made her feel so alone, she'd rather be in another coma that spend each night alone.

There was a ticking clock right in front of her on the wall. She'd only slept two hours and Izaya had put her to bed. Shizuo sighed, threw back the covers and looked down at herself. It wasn't too bad. A fitted tee and shorts. Checking the tie on her fingers, she went after Aoba again.

He was in his room, no longer working. Aoba's eyes were closed. Shizuo walked in and carefully climbed onto the bed straddling his hips. "You'll be in trouble." He warned.

Shizuo smiled. "Izaya said hugs and kisses were okay." She leaned across his body and pressed their lips together, then she did it again and again, over and over.

Aoba watched her, his eyes so much like Mikado's but darker. He looked innocent when he smiled, but there was a cruelty in his eyes. "You'd rather watch someone drown than try to save them." Shizuo murmured gazing down at him. "Am I the same?"

Aoba smiled and pinched her lips together. "Careful princess. I wouldn't want to have sew your lips together."

Shizuo giggled and ran her two bound fingers down the bulge in Aoba's pants. "What now?" She asked tilting her head. Aoba's gaze flicked down and then to hers. She laughed as she earned herself another zip tie, this time binding the top of her fingers. So she switched fingers and earned herself another two.

Shizuo laughed and switched hand. Four ties later, she used the whole hand. "What now? Can't zip tie any more fingers."

Shizuo yelped as she was flipped onto her stomach, Aoba bending her arms behind her. She felt the rope bite into her skin, felt Aoba tie her arms arms together, wrist to forearm.

"And now?" Aoba asked in her ear. Shizuo shivered rolling onto her side. She pushed up on her knees and kissed him. He didn't move letting her do as she wished, so she used her weight to take him down and straddled him. She ground down on his clothed cock, liking how it felt against her.

Aoba pushed her down and held her still, whilst he tied her knees together. "Is that it?" He asked. Shizuo dragged her foot down his stomach in response. He tied her feet together and repositioned her in the bed on top of him. She didn't move.

"Do you have anything softer?" She asked head on his shoulder. "The rope is scratchy."

"Punishments aren't supposed to be comfortable."

Shizuo snorted. "That was a punishment?"

x-x-x

It was too quiet, so Izaya checked on the house. Shizuo wasn't in her room and Aoba's door was closed. With a sigh he opened the door. Shizuo was tied up fast asleep on Aoba, who had his eyes closed.

"Give me a minute." Aoba murmured, extracting himself from Shizuo. He was fully dressed but that didn't mean anything. He left the room and Izaya followed him to the kitchen. "Our princess is damaged."

"She's been through a lot."

"She's attention starved." Aoba said. "Keeping her alone in her room will make it worse."

"Why do you say that?" Izaya asked.

"She kept kissing me like she was breathing. I don't think she likes being alone. The need for sex feels mixed. The dreams, transition and likely her childhood have messed her up."

"We'll talk to her. Make a rotor if need be."

x-x-x

Shizuo opened her eyes and panicked. She rolled over and sat up seeing the empty room. No. Izaya was standing in the doorway watching her. "You can stay in any of the rooms, as long as there is no sex."

Shizuo grinned. "Cut me loose?"

"I'll break one tie for every new thing you tell me about yourself." Izaya flicked a knife and sat on the bed starting at her feet.

"I had super strength before I finished transitioning."

"I knew that. Try again."

Shizuo frowned. "I first got my strength at seven."

Izaya cut the rope.

"I picked up a fridge and broke every bone in my body."

Izaya cut the rope binding her knees.

"I was angry at my brother and would've thrown it at him."

Izaya cut the rope binding her arms. She stretched them out in front of her staring at the ties.

"I spent my childhood in hospital."

"I knew that. Try again."

Shizuo smiled. "You remember everything I tell you. I had a short temper and once everyone knew they picked a fight, it was constant. My body couldn't handle it."

Izaya cut one of the top ties.

"I didn't have a single female friend because of those dreams."

"I'll let you have that." Izaya cut another tie.

"I didn't have any male friends either in case they were involved."

"You can have that one too." Izaya cut the top tie on her other hand.

It was getting easier. Five left. "I lived in Ikebukuro. I didn't even realise that was where I was running to."

Izaya cut the last top tie.

"I was glad when you said I was the woman in my dreams. It meant I wasn't a monster."

Izaya said nothing, carefully cutting one of the low ties.

"I lived with my mother, father and my younger brother. He was recruited by an agent instead of me. I lost my temper."

Izaya freed her hand.

"Do you think-" Shizuo shook her head. "I don't like my room, it's empty."

"Doesn't count. Aoba told me. We'll do a rotor, or you can pick whoever you want."

"I have a sweet tooth?"

"I know that. Try again."

"Ugh, hmm. I want a giant teddy bear in my room."

Izaya raised a brow but cut the tie. She only had one left.

"I want to see my brother, but I'm terrified of his reaction. I'll probably make a rubbish sister too."

Izaya cut the final tie. "You can stay with me tonight. Tomorrow you can pick."

x-x-x

Shizuo spent the first night with Izaya. She curled up in front of him, his arm around her waist. She slept easy and when she woke he was still there. Kissing his cheek, she slipped out of bed and left his room to return to her own. Grabbing her clothes she headed for the baths.

And dropped her clothes as she saw who was in there. "Shizuo." Masaomi was in the water, naked and staring at her.

"Why didn't you go with your girlfriend?" Shizuo asked shoving her feelings down deep. She didn't need emotions to get through a conversation with him. Cold, clinical. Like the hospitals, like her room.

"Izaya showed me your dream."

"And? You could've still left. You should've just made sure you didn't come back."

Masaomi grit his teeth. "I didn't do that, I would never do that!"

"Then why did you stay? Go back to your girlfriend. I don't want you here." Shizuo turned to walk away but Masaomi splashed through the water and grabbed her ankle. She was already moving, falling backwards towards the water.

"Shit! Shizuo!"

Shizuo went under, whacking her head as she went down. Masaomi was pulling her up, dragging her out of the bath. "Oi, you alright?"

Masaomi kneeled beside her, slapping her cheek. "Hey! Wake up, come on!"

She stayed still as he left calling for help. "She fell in the bath. I think she hit her head."

"Shizuo, you alright?" Kadota asked pulling back her eyelids. Her head was spinning but she groaned to let them know she was awake. "Can you move?"

"Yeah. It's fine."

"You're bleeding." Masaomi looked horrified.

"That time of the month already?" Shizuo rolled slowly to her stomach and pushed up to her knees. Kadota and Masaomi helped her stand, leading her into the main sitting area, where the rest of her rings were scattered.

"What happened, Shizu-chan?" Izaya asked immediately shutting down any accusations. He was good at that.

Shizuo sat back on the sofa seat next to him and sighed. "I saw Masaomi in the baths and panicked. He tried to stop me and I slipped."

"One of the infirmary nurses is on their way to check you over. I've requested a cook as well." Izaya stood up, leaning over her. "There's blood in your hair but not a lot. I'd guess concussion."

"No sleeping then." Shizuo sighed. "Can I at least eat?"

"Sure, I'll make you something." Kadota smiled and headed off.

Izaya grabbed Masaomi and pushed him to the sofa. "That will give you two a chance to speak. Aoba, go do you school work, same to you Mikado."

Shizuo smiled. Izaya was in teacher mode.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have grabbed you."

Shizuo nodded. "I should've walked straight back out."

"My ex girlfriend is a nightmare. She's in a hospital because of an accident we were in. She makes my life miserable. I came to this school because I wanted to escape. But at the same time I couldn't commit because I felt guilty."

"Why did you stay?" Shizuo asked hands in her lap. No one seemed to mind she was soaked.

"Because of you. Knowing what we could have helps lessen the guilt. The thought of doing anything to hurt you makes me feel sick." Masaomi sighed. "But I know why. Going back to Saki would've been a nightmare, it would've been worse knowing what I'd walked away from. People like me? When they despair they head straight for drugs or the bottom of a bottle. Love becomes hate and everyone suffers."

"Do you think you're capable of that now?"

"No. Because I'm never drinking or taking drugs. I've made a clean break with Saki. If you want me I'm here, if not I'll leave." Masaomi pushed himself up, soaked as well with a hastily wrapped towel around his waist. "These idiots couldn't even get you a towel."

Shizuo sighed closing her eyes. "Masaomi, you've been in my dreams for so long. The thought of not wanting you hurts. I know that incident was a dream, but it hurt. I have died so many times in my dreams. But it was alright, because I had my rings. It was a dream in a nightmare and then you happened." Shizuo opened her eyes staring into her lap. "I- I need time. It didn't happen for you, but for me…"

"Take all the time you need." Masaomi held out a fluffy towel. "Try not to catch a cold. Kadota, you done with breakfast yet? I'm freezing my ass off here!"

x-x-x

Shizuo crawled into Mikado's bed. He smiled lifting the covers and she crawled in, snuggling against him. It was a little more awkward given she'd spent most of her time with Izaya, but she closed her eyes and slept well.

The night after that she slept in Kadota's bed, then Aoba and when she should've been sleeping with Masaomi, she slept in her own bed with her stupid scratchy covers and her stupid hormones made her cry. When her alarm went off she was curled up in the duvet on the floor beside the bed.

Then it was back to Izaya's bed, where she slept soundly. He was her favourite.

x-x-x

On the second cycle, Shizuo went back to her own room to find a giant teddy bear on her bed. The covers had also been changed, to satin and they glided across her skin. Shizuo curled up buried in the bear that took up a huge amount of her bed and went to sleep. The week after, she slept in her own bed.

x-x-x

"You said the bear was a good idea." Aoba pointed out. Shizuo was asleep and communication was key, which is why they had regular catch up meetings.

"It was." Izaya shrugged. "It was what she wanted and she's happier."

"She's also not sleeping in our beds anymore." Aoba pointed out.

"I like that she's more relaxed." Mikado said.

"This is a good thing." Kadota agreed.

"It's not." Masaomi spoke up.

"No one asked you." Aoba snapped.

Even Mikado had put distance between the two of them.

"Why do you say that?"

"It's not a genuine relationship." Masaomi shrugged. "You've said no sex and so she tries to keep her distance. Shizuo is pretty much a housemate except for when she sleeps in your rooms. I think you should allow a bit of touching as long as it's on her terms. Otherwise we're expecting her to just accept us at graduation?"

"Like you can talk." Aoba scowled.

Masaomi accepted the glare. "I'm just saying. The way we're doing things, we're the shadows trying to live up to her dreams and if that's the case everything falls apart graduation or after. The only two that are definite is Izaya and Aoba."

Izaya sighed watching as Masaomi left and went to his room. "I'll talk with Shizu-chan."

x-x-x

It was never good when Izaya wanted to talk. He had frown lines and his presence didn't feel as safe. Shizuo rested back against her bear. "We need to talk, Shizu-chan."

"Alright." Was she going to lose a ring? Rings?

"Some of your rings think buying you the teddy was bad. Because you're not sleeping in their rooms anymore."

Shizuo blinked. "Oh."

"Masaomi is worried we're neglecting you. He thinks we're being idiots waiting until graduation. That we're merely shadows of your dream."

Shizuo sighed. "It's the rules though."

"The rules are no penetration and not touching anyone underdeveloped. The school doesn't mind touching in groups, as long as those groups are registered as permanent. Do you feel Masaomi is right?"

Shizuo frowned. "I don't know. I don't see any problems doing it with Aoba but everyone else…I'm working on Masaomi, Mikado still feels more like a friend and Kadota feels platonic."

"And me?"

Shizuo blushed. "You're everything. As things are now, I'd be scared to ruin that. I'm sorry."

Izaya held his arms out and she clambered to sit in his lap. He moved back to lean against her bear. "Don't be. We have time. You're a dreamer. The school is aware of that, so the tests shouldn't be harsh. I'm going to take you to see the principal, you'll need to register us as your rings. It means no one can back out."

"Like an engagement."

"But a binding one. Once you've registered your rings, the rules will become lax. It's up to you."

"I'll need to make sure everyone is okay with that." Shizuo looked at Izaya. "Are you okay with that?"

"Yes. I made my decision when I gave you my ring."

Shizuo smiled, holding his arms against her. "I love you, Izaya."

Izaya held her tight, kissing her neck and then her lips. "Me too, Shizu-chan."

x-x-x

Shizuo stuck to the night time visits but it was a quick one, where no one else would know if she'd been rejected. She went into Aoba's room first.

"Hey, princess. You here to sleep or get in trouble?"

Shizuo grinned and sat on the bed. "Izaya says if I register my rings then we can play."

"And you're checking if I'm staying with you? Of course. I'm looking forward to it."

Shizuo went to leave but Aoba pulled her back, his arms around her, lightly chewing at her ear. "I need to talk to the others."

"I suppose so." Aoba released her and she ran blushing.

She went to Mikado next. He was laying in bed quietly staring at the ceiling. He lifted the covers and she shook her head. "I need to get around to everyone."

She sat on the bed and looked at him. "Izaya says if I get my rings registered, we can take things further. But there's no backing out once it's done."

"I was trying to give you space. Masaomi is my childhood friend and trying to choose between you is hard. I like you, you're beautiful and sweet and you picked me as your first friend. I was jealous Izaya had given you his ring so quickly. I want to be with you."

Shizuo smiled and kissed him. "Thank you."

x-x-x

After a quick break, she went to speak to Kadota. "Hey princess." Funny how two of her rings called her by the same nickname. One wanted to protect her and the other wanted to do really bad things. "Izaya wants you to register your rings?"

"Yeah, so I'm checking if you're happy with that."

"I am. I came back for you. I don't believe in what they're doing, but I'll go through it for you."

Shizuo nodded and sighed. "You need help talking to him?"

"No. I've got it."

x-x-x

The last was Masaomi. She was nervous going into his room. His light was on and he sat on the bed with his head on his knees. "Masaomi?"

"Hey, Shizuo. Why are you here?"

It was awkward and she chose to stand against the wall. "Izaya wants me to register my rings. I don't have yours."

Masaomi slipped it from his fingers and held it out. "If you're sure it's what you want."

"Yes." Shizuo stepped forward and took the ring, twisting it onto her thumb. Five rings. With a sigh she moved to the bed and under the covers. They were both hesitant and it took a while for Shizuo to sleep but she managed.

x-x-x

Shizuo left the house and was escorted to the principal with her rings in tow. It was a quick talk, Izaya had been right. Because she was a dreamer, her decision was made.

It was one of the nurses that led them to a small chamber. There were up to ten spaces. "Okay, the rings need to put their hand in one of the slots. Starlight, you'll need to put your hand on top. Before that, each Midnight needs one of your rings. The nurse had a box of them. Ten rings.

Each one of her guys took one and put it on their marriage finger as instructed. The rest of the rings were put in a smaller slot. "This isn't going to be pleasant."

Shizuo hissed as the rings heated. She felt something press down and then she screamed as something burned. Her rings were the same. Then it was over. Shizuo's rings had been demolished and in her skin was the names of her rings. Her fingers were red and swollen. Shizuo swallowed as the nurse cleaned her fingers and carefully wrapped silver strips around each one, before bandaging them.

She then moved onto each of her guys and did the same. When she was done, she handed each of them a bracelet. It's was like a bigger ring. On the outside was her name engraved and on the inside were the names of her five rings. "You are now bound and have taken the first step to a permanent bond. The next step is the joining. The school rules have changed for you. You may do anything except penetration. A nurse will check in once a week to make sure this rule is being met. Use of toys is not advised, as mistakes can be made. Congratulations on your commitment."

x-x-x

"Well that hurt." Aoba grumbled. "And we only got one. How you holding up princess?"

"I'm fine." Shizuo winced as she moved her hand. "I thought we'd have to sign a piece of paper or something."

"It'll look nice when it heals." Izaya said.

Shizuo held up her hand. "I hope so." Shizuo was quiet on the way back, but happy.

x-x-x

She stuck to her own room for a week, until the dressing came off and she could stare at her fingers. She'd been branded in silver. On each finger was a deep scar of a name and it was filled with pretty silver. Izaya was right. It was pretty. And permanent. And so very precious.

Shizuo giggled squeezing her bear and burrowing down in its fur. Now they just had to make it past graduation.

x-x-x

"This is very weird for me right now." Kasuka said his arm in hers. Shizuo smiled underneath her veil, dressed in pure white, the flowers in her hand were nothing but crimson flower petals.

"I'm sorry." Shizuo apologised.

"I'm happy to be here, nee-san."

Shizuo smiled, the silver names on each finger and her thumb glowed. Kasuka led her through the changing room and out to the baths where her boyfriends waited. They were naked. She laughed as her brother lowered her into the baths, the dress becoming soaked.

"I'll be outside. Congratulations."

"Ready, Shizu-chan?" Izaya held out a hand and she took it, letting herself be pulled against his chest. Mikado was behind her, slowly pulling the zipper down. Aoba was impatient, already beneath her dress.

"Ready." She murmured twitching as she kissed her favourite boyfriend.

x-x-x

Shizuo rolled over and threw her alarm against the wall. Damn it. "Fuck!" She groaned.

"Something wrong, Shizu-chan?"

"Stupid alarm clock." Shizuo grumbled.

"Nice dream?" Izaya asked stepping further into her room.

"Yeah. It was different. I was in a wedding dress and Kasuka led me through and then I was with you and…the damn alarm woke me."

"But you didn't die?"

Shizuo frowned. "…no. I think that was a happy ending."

"Then it looks like you need your brother after all."

Shizuo paled and Izaya caught on immediately. "You know you have to brave it at some point."

x-x-x

Getting hold of Kasuka was easy. She arranged everything via text. Meeting him was where things got hard. She holed up inside her room, hidden by the bear when he arrived. For obvious reasons she wasn't allowed a lock on her door.

"Shizu-chan, your brother is here." Izaya said.

Shizuo grunted trembling as she peered around the bear and straight into her brother's eyes.

"Orihara-san explained everything." Kasuka said. "You can come out nee-san."

It was how easily he called her sister, that she stepped around the bear to face him. "Strange school." She mumbled stepping into his arms.

"Are you happy, nee-san?"

"Will be once I graduate." Izaya nodded and left the two of them alone.

x-x-x

"Everything okay?" Izaya asked carrying in a tray of cakes.

Shizuo rubbed a hand over her swollen belly. "Hungry." She murmured.

"Tired as well, I bet." Aoba grinned, a ball of energy as he kissed her and then her baby bump.

Her other husbands entered the room, each one ready to help in some way. Masaomi massaged her feet, Kadota rubbed her shoulders and Mikado kissed her cheek before starting dinner.

She felt a wetness between her legs, letting out a scream

x-x-x

That sent the boys running into her room. Izaya handed took her hand and grounded her. Graduation was supposed to be in two days. Her rings looked anxious and even her brother looked worried.

"The dream changed?" Izaya asked smoothing her hair back.

Shizuo blinked and nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah it did."

"You woke up screaming." Aoba noted.

Shizuo relaxed against Izaya. "I dreamt I was in labour. Not looking forward to that."

Her rings crowded her. No more bad dreams. This time, things would end right.

End