tell me, when did your winning smile begin to look like a smirk?

(A/N: Since most of you requested for a sequel to my past Izatake fic, "chasing your paradise," here it is. The one-shot sequel you've been waiting for. Inspired by Taylor Swift's song, "happiness" in her Evermore album. Takes place during Tenjiku arc but in alternate universe wherein Takemichi and Hina never gotten back together and other things as you read this fic below. Can be read as a stand alone or you can also read first the multi chaptered fic of mine before you proceed to get the gist and elements of the other scenes of the story. There will be explicit sexual content. You know the drill if it doesn't suit your tastes. Lastly, I don't own anything from this franchise. Respective ownership belongs to Ken Wakui for this wonderful manga and Taylor Swift for this beautiful yet bittersweet song).

Honey, when I'm above the trees

I see this for what it is

But now I'm right down in it, all the years I've given

Is just shit we're dividin' up

Showed you all of my hiding spots

I was dancing when the music stopped

And in the disbelief, I can't face reinvention

I haven't met the new me yet

"So, you're the infamous First Division Captain of Toman huh? You're quite notorious among the other gangs y'know Takemichi?" Kakucho smiled fondly as he helped his childhood friend stood up from the ground.

"But you're more awesome Kaku-chan! You're one of the heavenly kings of Tenjiku!" Takemichi exclaimed happily.

Takemichi felt happy yet surreal at the same time.

Seeing his childhood friend once again in the past made him did a double take since his appearance was in great contrast to what he was in the future. Although he was quite ferocious now in Tenjiku he could still see a glimpse of that exasperated fondness and amusement of Kakucho for him when they were kids as opposed to his dull and resigned appearance when he was guarding him back at that vacation house and merely following orders from Izana when they had fallen in deep into that hole of syndicate underworld and black market.

He swore to himself that he would do whatever it takes to save his childhood friend from his terrible future waiting for him and change it.

They we're still conversing animatedly when a voice from the background made his mind blank and his body froze on his spot.

"Well, what do we have here? You didn't tell me Kakucho that you're catching up with some old friend?" Izana's signature deceptively casual yet sharp undertones of his baritone voice caught both of their attention and Takemichi's ocean blue eyes clashed against his dark violet irises.

He caught his breath at the mesmerizing sight of the silver haired man who never failed to make his heart skip and his body tingling all over at the mere memory of their lovemaking together in the future. How every inch of his body was claimed by him and set his heart on fire. How his eyes were always lustrous and filled with intense emotions that captivated him as always.

But now...

As he was gazing at them...

It was filled with nothing but calm curiousness and cold calculation of his character...

He eyes held no recognition in this period since it was the past.

But it didn't make it any less painful for him and a prickling sensation surrounded his heart inside his chest.