"The first time the question was rigged anyway. What do I want? Lots of things. Right now I want to talk to you. For as long as it takes. Until you'll have more than a locker combination to pick as a password. But first, I want you to put this on before you catch a cold. And I am returning this."
Shizuo handed him the switchblade, almost reverentially passing it from hand to hand.
"You kept it?"
"I tried to get rid of it. I really did but I couldn't bring myself to it. I took your words to heart, Izaya. The difference between the person who watched you fall to your death and the one standing there- is what almost drove me insane but also what gave me strength."
Izaya slipped into the familiar comfort of his jacket.
"For once I'm at a loss of words."
Shizuo wiped a few strands of black hair.
"What about you? Do you still want to die?"
Izaya placed a hand over his arm, a gesture that Shizuo could read with perfect clarity. Izaya swallowed.
"If you're here- and you are- if you're here for me- that is my answer."
Tears glimmered at the corners of Izaya's eyes. He took a deep breath and let them roll down his cheeks.
"Then you've found out, haven't you? That at times they do change their minds after jumping. And in your case it matters."
Izaya shrank into his jacket and leant on Shizuo, hiding his face against his shirt and quietly sobbing. Shizuo patted his hair and waited until this fragile bit of life that he encircled with his arms grew warmer and truer. Then he placed the tiny doll on top of Izaya's now unruly head.
"And by the way, Chibi Izaya is really tasteless and not funny."
Izaya laughed and wiped the wet trail of tears with his fists, it struck Shizuo as a childish response but somehow it made sense.
"There's not much to do in a graveyard. And you can download it-"
"On my cell phone? Already done that."
Shizuo opened his phone and almost chuckled at Izaya's surprise as he saw the pixeled figure tumbling down the screen.
"Shizu-chan, I think you like Chibi Izaya."
"I think it's more that I like you. So I must be out of my mind."
Izaya stared open eyed. A million things occurred to him. Many of which were witty, some of which were deep, some that were even both. But none did justice to the strange glow he felt. So what he ended up saying was:
"It's been very cold, hasn't it? But it's getting warmer now."
Shizuo cast a light kiss on his lips.
"Let's get out of here. You don't belong here and this is a horrible place to share a first kiss."
"You mean second, Shizu-chan."
They headed made their way along the dead and back to the teeming life of Tokyo and all it contained of danger, excitement, and hope.
"That didn't count. And if you keep that 'Shizu-chan' thing I'll call you 'Iza-chan' and see how you like that."
Izaya smiled.
"Fine by me. But anyone else who tries that I'll introduce to my faithful blade." Izaya paused. Then added, "Aye, in the end there are some things one cannot do without. And to me, you're one of them."
There was much more to be said but the silence that settled between them now was not without an echo. It reverberated with beginnings that though broken could be repaired and though interrupted could be resumed. Whatever invisible thread there might be between them, it followed as they crossed into crazy neon lights. And it weaved its intricate pattern until they were brought together like this: two shapes walking side by side down same path to follow wherever it led. After all, that was for them to find out.

The End