Finally Caught You, Flea

Time Off

After talking to Namie, Shizuo walked back to the flea's bedroom to check if the flea was awake. When he saw no movement from the raven, he left the apartment. The bodyguard texted Tom to meet him at the food place they usually go to for their lunch breaks when they aren't working.

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"What's wrong with you?" was the first thing Tom said when he laid eyes on the blonde.

Shizuo couldn't blame his boss for the question that some would find offensive. He knew that he must look like shit. Waking up in the middle of the night, thanks to a certain flea, and being woke up several more times by the louse tossing and turning while the blonde was holding him definitely hasn't helped at all.

"Rough night." Shizuo was not going to talk about his questionable actions from the night before, even to his friend/boss.

"Hey, so um, I'm going to need some time off from work, is that okay?" Shizuo asked sheepishly.

"You don't usually make requests like this, so there must be a good reason why. You can take whatever time you need, I'll be fine. Although, I would like to know why you need the time off, if you don't mind me asking that is." Tom replied with calmness, taking a drink of some coffee he ordered.

"I'm stuck with taking care of the flea while he's sick."

And coffee went everywhere.

Tom hastily grabbed a few napkins that were sitting on the side of the table to clean up while trying to clear his throat from choking on the coffee when he heard that particular bit of information.

"You are taking care of Izaya Orihara? Of all people?!" Tom exclaimed, trying to keep his voice low at the same time.

"Yeah, things happened and now I'm taking care of him. He apparently gets really weak when he is sick. And....I kind of was actually able to hurt him earlier, giving him a few broken ribs and some bruises. All this was before I knew that he was sick, but....I don't want to be a murderer."

Tom sat there with a dumbfounded look, which slowly turned into one of understanding.

"Wow, that is quite the situation you got yourself stuck in. You can take as many days as you need." Shizuo smiled in relief at this news.

"Thanks Tom, really. If something big comes up though, and you really need me, don't hesitate to call." With that, Shizuo began to stand up and leave the building, heading toward the flea's apartment.

Neither Shizuo nor Tom noticed the figure at a nearby table, listening in on every word about the sick raven.

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I do not own Durarara!! or any images used.