Bound by Fate

The Unwritten Three Day Rule...

Shizuo stared intently at the string of numbers carefully arranged in neat handwriting on the napkin he refused to throw out. Even though he had already dutifully programmed Izaya's phone number into his cellphone, he couldn't bring himself to part with the note. He ran his fingers over the rough surface, feeling the slightest difference where the pressure from the pen Izaya had used pushed down the rough grit of the cheap bar napkin. His thoughts returning to the thrill he felt when Izaya leaned in to slide his fingers into his vest pocket as he spoke temptingly close to the blonde's face.

'Why am I still agonizing over this?' Shizuo thought to himself as he folded the note in half again and tucked it safely into his wallet. He felt his face grow hot as he thought about how he almost kissed Izaya when he had leaned in to tuck the napkin into his pocket. While he was sure the brunette wouldn't have minded, that wasn't how he wanted that to happen. And he did want it to happen. Badly.

Shizuo had thought at great length about kissing that playful smirk off of Izaya's face. The smirk that stayed with him since that night. The smirk that he saw anytime he closed his eyes. Though if he were honest with himself, he had thought about more than simply kissing Izaya. Shizuo's face burned anew at the thought.

It had been three tortuous days. Three days since he had seen those hauntingly beautiful eyes up close for the first time. Three days since he had been left breathless and wanting more. Desperate to see if Izaya could keep his promise about never being afraid of him. He couldn't help but think that Izaya spoke the truth. His steadfast gaze and confident words proving to Shizuo that he wasn't just anybody.

Orihara Izaya was special.

"Fuck it," Shizuo grumbled under his breath as he pulled his phone resolutely out of his pocket. He flipped it open and pulled up Izaya's contact information. He had almost texted the flirty brunette as soon as he got off of work that night, but he hesitated. And because he hesitated, he spent almost three full days doubting himself, overthinking the situation and very nearly giving up without even trying.

He stared at the phone number a moment longer before taking a deep breath and pressing send. 'There's nothing worse than thinking about what could have been,' he thought absently as the call connected.

"Hello?" Izaya's voice purred sensually through the receiver incredibly close to Shizuo's ear.

"Uh, hi. Izaya?" Shizuo asked dumbly, knowing full well that it was Izaya on the other end of the line.

A soft amused chuckle came through the phone, causing Shizuo to mentally scold himself for how stupid he had to have sounded. "So cute, Shizuo," Izaya said quietly, his smile could practically be heard through the phone. "You made me wait longer than I had anticipated. You, once again, surprise me."

Shizuo smiled into the receiver. "Well, I aim to keep you on your toes," he retorted playfully as he held the phone close to his ear, not willing to miss a single sound from the other end. "You know, the bar has been pretty boring without you."

"Is that so? Maybe I should stop by tonight then," Izaya tried to sound nonchalant.

"Well then you'll probably have to pay for your coffee tonight since I'm not going to be there," the blonde said with a chuckle.

"Are you insinuating that I won't have to pay any time I go in as long as you're working?" Izaya threw back without hesitation as Shizuo practically heard him smile again. "I'll keep that in mind." He paused thoughtfully before continuing. "To what do I owe the pleasure of a phone call from my sweet Shizu-chan?"

Shizuo shook his head and chuckled. "Cute," he muttered under his breath before clearing his throat awkwardly. "Uh... I was just... I was wondering if you were free. I thought I'd indulge you again and show you who I am while at the same time testing your resolve to... how did you put it? Not walk on eggshells around me?"

A sweet, melodious laugh drifted through the phone causing Shizuo to bite back a groan at the noise. "Is the great Heiwajima Shizuo offering to throw me around?"

Shizuo froze at Izaya's words. "Wh-what do you mean by that?"

Izaya paused as he carefully weighed Shizuo's question before sighing softly. "I may have... googled you," Izaya admitted. "I hope you'll forgive me, but I was curious when you said that your name usually strikes fear into the hearts of whoever hears it."

"I didn't say it like that..." Shizuo grumbled irritably.

"Well you did at least heavily insinuate it. But you'd be surprised how many videos there are of you sending people flying with a single punch," Izaya said carefully, with a steady, clear voice. Shizuo was taken aback at the idea that the brunette admitted so freely to looking into the blonde bartender and even more so when he realized his unwavering voice sounded the same. There was no hint of fear... no hesitation when Izaya answered the phone. "I'm sorry," Izaya added softly. "Should I not have done that? I was curious..."

"No. No. It's fine. I guess," Shizuo said clumsily.

"Though to be honest, I hadn't meant for you to take my words literally," Izaya admitted quietly. "It was a lighthearted attempt at innuendo."

Shizuo flushed at the flirt's admission, entirely too pleased that Izaya hadn't changed after catching a glimpse of what usually drove everyone else away. "I'll, uh... I'll keep that in mind next time."

Izaya paused thoughtfully before speaking directly into the phone again, his voice caressing Shizuo's ear. "So... I believe you were in the middle of asking me on a date," he prompted smoothly.

"Uh, yeah. I mean... is that what you want?" Shizuo said, swearing that Izaya could hear his cheeks burn through the phone.

"I very much want," Izaya purred, sending a thrill through Shizuo so strong that he had to suppress an unintelligible groan. "What did you have in mind, Shizu-chan?"

"Wh-where did that... Why do you call me that?" Shizuo blurted out.

"I don't really know, to be honest. It just... came out as I wrote that silly note on that napkin. Though it really does seem to suit you," Izaya said with an air of indifference. "Do you not like it? Should I stop?"

"I-I never said that." Shizuo paused to clear his throat almost too loudly, covering up his embarrassment. "Anyway, if you're free - and if you want to - I was wondering if you wanted to meet up at the park. We can just talk or whatever you want to do."

"That sounds perfect," Izaya responded, trying to keep his enthusiasm carefully masked. "Can you give me an hour? I have some work I need to finish up then it will take me about half an hour to get to you."

"Half an hour? You don't live nearby?" Shizuo asked without thinking.

"I do not... I actually live in Shinjuku," Izaya replied.

"Then why did you keep coming to my bar?" Shizuo asked dumbly.

"Really, Shizu-chan? You have to ask?" Izaya laughed into the phone. "I'll see you in an hour. Nishiguchi Park." He abruptly hung up without giving Shizuo a chance to respond.

"He always seems to leave me breathless," Shizuo said as he smiled fondly at the phone before snapping it shut and looking down at himself. He sighed before rushing into the bathroom to clean up.