Bound by Fate

Unintentionally Defining the Relationship...

"I still can't believe that you just barely had enough in your kitchen to throw some sort of breakfast together," Shizuo said, raising an amused eyebrow at Izaya sitting across from him at the table. "I mean, do you just eat out and order take out all the time?"

Izaya shrugged as he took the last bite of his toast. "Pretty much," he said nonchalantly. "Plus, I'm not really one for breakfast. Coffee usually holds me over quite nicely."

"No wonder you're such a skinny little shit," the blonde chuckled fondly as he leaned into his elbows on the table. "Though I suppose this morning was a bit different, hm? Needed to refuel maybe?"

Izaya smirked and shifted in his chair, causing himself to wince slightly at the dull ache in his hips. "So arrogant, Shizu-chan," the brunette said with a playful, mocking smirk. "What makes you think you took enough out of me to merit an energy refresh. I assure you I'm quite animated this morning."

Shizuo chuckled and raised an amused eyebrow at Izaya. "I think frisky is a more appropriate word," he murmured as he leaned on his elbows on the table toward the brunette. "You even wanted to play in the bath. Such a naughty boy, Izaya. We were there to get clean, not dirtier."

The brunette pouted cutely and crossed his arms across his chest. "Well, excuse me for wanting to make my Shizu-chan happy," he huffed in mock indignation before grinning at the blonde across the table. "I can't help it that I want to touch you. Is that such a bad thing?"

"Hey. I was in no way complaining," Shizuo scoffed as he stood up and collected both of their dishes, turning to walk into the kitchen. "I'm going to clean up." He paused for a moment and looked back over his shoulder at the brunette who had gotten up to follow him into the kitchen. "And you do make me happy, Izaya. You don't need to try."

"How the hell did I end up with such a hopeless romantic?" Izaya questioned, his voice holding an edge of bewilderment. "It just doesn't add up. Nor is it fair to whoever you were supposed to end up with. I am in no way deserving of such sweet talk or... tender care. I just wormed my way into your life against your will. I didn't even really act like I wanted to be with you in the first place. Keeping my distance; not really letting you in or trying to get to know you..."

"Shut up, Izaya," Shizuo said as he set the dishes into the sink with a loud clatter. "You didn't worm your way in anywhere. I want you in my life. I'm thankful everyday that you wandered into my bar and continued to do so. Watching me every night." He paused to rub the back of his neck sheepishly and chuckle quietly. "I kind of liked that. It was actually really hot, to be honest with you. I saw you every night. Always ordering your black coffee. Your eyes drawn to me as mine were drawn to you. I'm actually really surprised that you didn't notice me watching you." He paused to walk over to stand in front of Izaya, his hands drawn to grip the shorter man's hips and pull him close. "How are you not also romantic? What about that story isn't romantic?"

"It sounds kind of stalkerish to me," Izaya said lightly before shaking his head with a soft chuckle. "But I see what you mean. I guess we do have a bit of a romantic meeting story, don't we?"

"Yeah. We do," the blonde affirmed with a grin, bringing a hand up to caress Izaya's cheek. "And I call it fate. There was really no reason for you to be in my bar that night. There was no reason for you to keep coming back. There was no reason for me to look for you every night before we had even talked. Fate brought you into my life, Izaya. So, saying that we don't make sense? Claiming that you think I belong with someone else? That's bullshit."

Izaya stared up into Shizuo's unwavering gaze for a moment before smiling almost shyly. "Fate, huh?" the brunette asked, biting his lip to hold back a chuckle. "I suppose that's really the only explanation. I mean... what else could have brought us together? And who knows. Maybe if we had met at a different point in our lives, things could have been completely different. I mean, what if it had been hate at first sight instead?"