Ten Years Later

Shizuo hummed softly to himself as he cleaned the wine glasses, setting them down in their specific spots with a smile on his face. He then moved, grabbing a different rag and beginning to clean off the bar counter of any mess that could have been left behind. The gentle piano music making its way through the bar helping to keep him calm.

"Shizuo-san?" A relaxed voice called, making the strongman look up from his work.

It was Masomi Kida, and his fiance Saki, both dressed in their waiter outfits. Once they had his attention, the young man motioned to the nearby booths. "I cleaned all the tables and Saki swept the floors, are we free to go?" He asked.

Setting down his used towel, Shizuo nodded. "Yes, go ahead. Good job tonight, you two," He said, wiping his hands on the front of his outfit. "Make sure to turn on the closed sign on your way out."

The two perked up, and quickly set their cleaning supplies down. "Okay, thank you!" Masomi said excitedly, wrapping an arm around Saki. "Bye Shizuo-san, bye Izaya-san!"

Shizuo turned and looked over to the origin of the piano sound, where his beautiful boyfriend sat playing on the grand piano. He looked up, turning his blind eyes towards the piano. "Goodbye Saki-chan, and Kida-kun don't forget to turn in your thesis!"

Kida's eyes widened at the reminder, skin turning ghostly pale, and panic overtaking his body as he sped out of the bar as past as he could while dragging Saki behind him. They practically flew out of the bar, and almost forgot to flip the sign around like Shizuo had asked.

The couple they left behind giggled in amusement after they left. Izaya slowed his playing, tilting his head curiously. "It's two in the morning, what's his rush?" He asked aloud,"I swear, that kid would forget his head if it wasn't attached to his neck."

"Good thing you're here to remind him, flea," Shizuo declared, returning the towel back to where it belonged, and walking around the bar towards the grand piano. He slid on the bench next to Izaya, smiling towards the raven.

Izaya quickly scooted against him, leaning his head on his shoulder as his hands gently pressed on the keys, slowly and cautiously. Eventually, his fingers began to speed up, playing a fast paced piece.

Shizuo listened closely, the adoration for his boyfriend obvious on his face. "This is a new song, I've never heard you play this one," He said.

The raven smiled softly, and replied,"Shizu-chan, you know me so well. It warms my heart~"

The blonde bartender chuckled at his lover's teasing tone, placing a kiss on the man's cheek. "Of course I do, remember what Celty says? We're like an old married couple at this point, flea," He reminded his boyfriend.

Izaya pressed down on the innocent piano's keys harshly, letting out an indignant cry. "Stupid protozoan, stop reminding me that I'm getting old!" He whined.

Shizuo scoffed. "You're not old, flea, and neither am I," He declared,"We're only thirty seven, we're still in our prime!"

The pouting raven huffed, and muttered,"I guess… But just because Celty calls us an old married couple doesn't mean I like it."

"You're lying, I see that smile on your face," Shizuo teased back, kissing the soft cheek again. "You love when everyone teases us."

Izaya tried to keep the annoyed look on his face, but he didn't last long. He shook his head with a sigh, letting the smile Shizuo had caught overcome his face. "You're right…" He admitted,"I do love it. It makes me really happy, because it reminds me just how amazing my life is now."

"Oh?" Shizuo queried.

"I'm alive, I own this bar with you, I have friends now…. And…" Izaya blushed, leaning against the bartender next to him. "And I have you."

Shizuo felt his heart warm up, and quickly wrapped an arm around the raven. He gently slid his hand under Izaya's chin, lifting the raven's head, and pulling him into a soft kiss. Once they pulled away, the blonde replied,"And this time you can't frame me and get me fired, flea. You can't run this place without me."

Izaya gave a gasp of shock, dramatically placing a hand on his chest. "Shizu-chan wounds me!" He declared. Then, he grew a mischievous grin on his face. "Well, I suppose you're right. I guess that means I can't get out of this seat then, since I can't do anything without you~"

"Oh, then allow me to help you," Shizuo declared, scooping the raven up into a bridal style hold, and moving away from the grand piano. He set Izaya down by the door, grabbing his coat, and placing it around his shoulders. "Here you are, your highness."

The raven giggled, bowing in response. "Thank you, my dear protozoan!" He said, turning and clicking off the lights of the bar. "Ready to go home?"

Shizuo, now dressed in his winter coat, took Izaya's hand. "Ready," He replied,"After all, we have to get up early to prepare for the hot pot party tomorrow. Shinra and Celty will kill us if we're late."

Izaya groaned loudly, dropping his head forward. "And then Erika will tell Celty it's okay because we were having hot se-"

"Aah! Don't bring that up!" Shizuo quickly exclaimed, pulling Izaya out the door as fast as he could. "I still have nightmares about the things she said!"

The raven nodded in agreement. "In fact, let's try and arrive before them. Dota-chin said she loves coming up with theories about what we did to make us late," He reminded him.

"You think after ten years, she'd be tired of it by now," Shizuo mused quietly, looking up towards the snow that was floating down towards them. "But she's still so passionate, it's kind of insane."

Izaya's cheeks suddenly turned a bright shade of pink. "As long as we are together, I don't think she'll ever stop," He said,"So I guess we'll have to deal with it, because I'll never stop loving you."

He then turned to look at the man next to him, the man he had loved for the past ten years, and the man he would continue to love for the rest of his life. His beautiful smile, his happy expression.

A long time ago, Shizuo never thought that someone like him could find love. He believed he was too dangerous, that he scared so many people that someone loving him was impossible. But it turned out that his soulmate was much closer than he thought.

No matter what hardships they faced. The deadly informant broker and the monster of Ikebukuro had simply become Izaya and Shizuo, two simple humans who loved each other.

And they wouldn't have it any other way.

"I love you, Izaya."

"I love you too, Shizuo."