Durarara! © Ryohgo Narita.

Hey, happy holidays/Christmas to everyone celebrating!

So, I hope you all enjoyed the story (: thank you ever so much for all that lovely feedback and all the favorites along the way. You guys are great.

"This city truly is full of wonders," Shinra comments, having just witnessed something pleasantly strange in the midst of the magical city of Ikebukuro.

Celty, on the other hand, is far from amused.

"See," he continues, sounding smug as he nudges the Dullahan. "I knew it would happen. I told you, didn't I?"

Celty touches his cheek affectionately before pinching it hard. She did not want to think about Shizuo and Izaya taking a tumble in the sack. It was definitely not on her to-do list.

"Ow, ow, ow!" Shinra whines, pouting as he rubs the pink park.

Shizuo Heiwajima has finally learned to accept himself and his strength. If he were to be honest with himself, he would acknowledge the fact that Izaya Orihara certainly had something to do with it. Never before did he have someone to fight for. Not until Izaya became an important part of his life. When you have someone you want to protect, you are capable of things you've never dreamed of. Shizuo dreamt of control, but he didn't truly think he would achieve it. Acceptance, however, was something that never crossed his mind. He was so full of hatred towards his strength and all the trouble it caused him over the years… but now he finds himself glad for it. Without it, he would probably be dead for good.

Shizuo grins the following evening as he recalls the previous night. "And I didn't even kill anyone…" he says proudly, finishing his thought aloud. In the midst of a rage, he was able to stop himself for Izaya's sake.

"If you had to, would you have?" Izaya asks.

"Maybe," Shizuo admits. For Izaya.

"You're strong in many ways," he says. It's his favourite thing about Shizuo. It always has been, ever since they first met on the field behind the school. He knew Shizuo Heiwajima was something special. He knew that, whether it be of love or hate, that this boy would grow to be an important part of his life. He knew that strength would be an asset if he so chose it to be. He knew that Shizuo was going to be something great. Yes, Izaya prided himself on knowing many things but keeping quiet about them.

"I never thought my strength was a good thing until now," Shizuo admits, an unfamiliar sense of comfort pooling throughout ever fiber of his being. "I'll try and use it for good."

The dark haired male simply nods and if they were in their twenties once more, people would be gawking in completely and utter disbelief at the sight of the monster and the sociopathic informant walking next to each other so willingly and civilly. Though, it is still likely strange. Even at sixteen, both Izaya and Shizuo are known throughout the city for not getting along. Shizuo is known for chasing Izaya through the city and Izaya is known for egging him on. People like Erika called it love. She insisted upon it. Little did everyone know, there was some truth to it.

"What are you thinking about?" Shizuo asks after a moment's silence.

"I was thinking…" Izaya pauses, "I was thinking that maybe there is a God after all." He chuckles at the possibility, and then shrugs carelessly.

"I don't know if I believe it, either, to be honest," the blond admits. "Maybe we aren't supposed to be doing anything fantastic. Maybe we aren't supposed to be changing history… Maybe we were just supposed to be together, and then the rest will follow."

"It's strange, isn't it?" the informant asks.

"Yeah… I guess we really fucked it up last time."

"Yeah," Izaya agrees.

"This time will be better," Shizuo nods his affirmation and Izaya smiles at the softer side of him.

"Yes," he says. "It will be."

Of course, they will fight. Of course, they will scream at each other and they won't always get along… but that's normal, right? Even the happiest couples fight sometimes. Perhaps they will even continue their game of cat and mouse. Shizuo won't dare say it aloud, but he misses it. As if reading his mind, Izaya playfully shoves him before running down the street with impressive speed. Shizuo doesn't hesitate to follow after the other teenager and before either of them knows it, they're back to where they started. They're back where it all began.

"Caught you," Shizuo says, cornering him.

For a brief moment, Izaya looks unsure, and feels even more so. He glances around for a possible escape, but there isn't one. Just like last time, there isn't one. There is only him and Shizuo. He is once against pressed against a rough, brick wall with Ikebukuro's monster closing in on him. However, instead of shouting a mantra of murderous words, the blond male is quiet. Instead of clenched fists, he is relaxed. Instead of hatred written all over his face, there is something else. Instead of reaching for Izaya's neck, Shizuo leans forward and plants a brief kiss on his lips. Izaya sighs into his mouth and when they break apart, Shizuo asks, "What did you think I was gonna do? Kill you?"

The corners of Izaya's mouth quirk up. "Of course not," he denies it.

Shizuo holds out his hand and Izaya gladly takes it. Unlike the last time he had Izaya cornered; the two of them leave the alleyway in one piece, both feeling infinitely whole.

The sun is shining down on them and Shizuo laughs happily, momentarily looking like any young man you might find on the streets of Ikebukuro. To all the strangers walking by, there is nothing monstrous about him.

- Fin -