Chapter 3: Cold
A/N: Hey guys! Oh look, it's finally an update! Whooo! XD Anyway, I'm super sorry you had to wait so long. I tried to make it a little longer in response. Please enjoy!
Shizuo stared in shock at the brunet's words. It took him a long moment to process what he'd said and its implications. 'Izaya... he's... back to normal?' he thought to himself, unsure of how to react to the situation.
Izaya, on the other hand, reveled in the disturbed expression on the blond's face. Tauntingly, he adds on, "What? Don't tell me you've regressed enough that you've forgotten how to speak? My, you just become more beastly by the day, don't you? It's a wonder how anyone can stay around you, let alone allow you in a sensitive place like a hospital!"
The Heiwajima's jaw tightened a bit, instincts causing his temper to flare up at the other's merciless teasing. However, unlike any other time, he couldn't bring himself to respond in kind. Nor could he react with violence. He'd gotten too used to trying to protect Izaya, to the point that years of anger were repressed. Instead, he takes a breath. "...How are you feeling?"
The question gave Orihara pause. 'Since when has Shizuo of all people cared about my well-being? Is this some attempt to trick me? ...No, he's far too stupid for that. Perhaps it's his way of mimicking human emotions? That's a far more likely idea... but why with me? We can't stand each other.' he mused. After another moment, a thought occurred. A smirk tilted his lips once more.
"How odd of you, Shizu-chan, to care about my well-being. Though, I suppose that's what happens when you spend enough time around a person, taking care of them. In that case, I guess I'll give you an answer. Minus a massive headache, aching ribs, and some cuts, I'm feeling just chipper." Izaya replied, fake pep in his tone.
Shizuo nodded. "That's... That's good." he replied lamely. An awkward, on his side at least, silence descended between them. The room's occupant smiled blankly, taking notice of the other's discomfort and enjoying not doing a thing to alleviate it.
The enforcer was saved by the entry of Dr. Ayasegawa. She blinked in surprise when she noticed her patient had awoken. "Orihara-san. I'm glad to see you've finally woken up." she stated, smiling softly. Gray orbs glanced at the Heiwajima curiously, Hitomi wondering why he had not alerted her or nurse to the change in his charge's status.
Maroon eyes met gentle gray, humming softly. "I remember you. You were the doctor from before, weren't you? Back when I had lost my memory..." he stated as he examined her. Her brows furrowed a bit at his words, though she answered his question with a nod.
"Dr. Hitomi Ayasegawa. Am I to understand that you have remembered your true self, Orihara-san?" she inquired softly. Before Izaya could respond, the third member of the room responded for him.
"He has. Acted the same as before the second his eyes opened." he said, body clearly tensed. The bed's occupant chuckled.
"You seem rather disappointed by that, Shizu-chan. What, are you upset you don't have a little pet anymore?" he mocked, a vindictive smile curling his lips. All he received in response was silence.
The woman in the room frowned as she watched the two interact, noting the tension and animosity in the air between the males. For the time being, she shook off the feeling before moving closer to her patient. "Alright. Well, now that you've woken up, I'm going to check your vitals and injuries. It shouldn't take too long." she told the man. She then turned to Shizuo. "Heiwajima-san, why don't you and grab a coffee or something? You look like you need it." she told, clear concern in her voice.
The blond met her eyes momentarily. "Fine." he retorted shortly. He stood and strode towards the door, opening and shutting it behind him. He slowly made his way down the hall, lost in thought.
'Izaya... he's acting like his normal fleabag self... It seems he really got his memories back.' he said silently. He was surprised by the disappointment that hit him as he admitted that to himself. 'Why the hell does that upset me? I mean... yeah, I could never stand him when he acted like this. He's a selfish, manipulative bastard... but this feeling... it's not rage or disgust... it's... it's like that time with her when I was a kid. I'm... disappointed? Ashamed? Horrified? Regardless, I'm not happy about this. Maybe it's because he's not innocent anymore... he's back to being the corrupted son of a bitch he always was. Question is... why am I not pissed about that?' he questioned internally, feeling rather confused and annoyed by the conflicted emotions.
In his frustration, he stopped and banged his hand against a wall, cracking it. He groaned and ran a hand furiously through his hair. "Damn it. I don't want to think about this shit right now. It's all just a confusing mess. I need a fucking smoke." he muttered to himself before turning down a hall to get to an exit.
In the meantime, Izaya sat still as he was looked over by his doctor. He watched her with mild interest in his eyes. 'I wonder what kind of person she is? She seems calm and collected on the surface, but is that all there is to her? Doubtful. After all, humans are always full of surprises.' he thought, amusement filling him.
"So Hitomi, what made you want to become a doctor?"
The brunette hummed. "I wanted to help people. It's been a dream of mine since childhood." she answered promptly as she checked his monitor.
"Ah, so you're one of those people who needs to feel useful to others. I wonder why that is. Social contact? Pride? To make up for a lack of love in your childhood?" he contemplated.
"No, it's nothing like that. I just enjoy making a difference. It's not for any particular reason besides the desire to. My childhood was average and pride is something I have no interest in. As for social contact, I'd think that people who are sick and injured aren't the typical companions for that sort of thing." she replied as she switched out his IV bag.
Her words made him laugh. "A desire to make a difference? My, you're a naive one, aren't you? You sound more like an idealistic child than an experienced adult." he sneered, figuring his words would rile her up.
A perfectly shaped eyebrow rose. "Is that what you think? Well, I suppose you're entitled to your opinion, even if it is rather off-base. Now follow the light with your eyes." she ordered, holding up a penlight to give him a neurological exam.
A chuckle escaped the man in front of her, though he followed her directions. 'How funny. She's completely unfazed by any teasing. Most people would be up in arms at such personal mockery. She could be fun to play with.' he thought to himself. His thoughts were interrupted by the other's words.
"Orihara-san, it seems you are doing rather well despite your injuries. They're already well on the mend. However, I do think it'd be a mistake to send you home by yourself. Not only are you far from being in perfect health, from what Heiwajima-san told me, the man who kidnapped you is still at large." she told him. She noted the almost inscrutable wince at the mention of what had happened to him.
The brunet played it off and smiled, though the motion was devoid of any true joy. "I'll be fine. I don't need someone to take care of me. I've been doing well enough on my own." he replied. He frowned a bit when the physician shook her head.
"You weren't this injured before. Between the first attack and now, your body has sustained grievous damage, Orihara-san. This isn't something that's up for debate." She informed him. The doctor paused in her words as the door reopened to reveal Shizuo.
"You will be residing with Heiwajima-san again until such a time where I'm satisfied that you can resume taking care of yourself. I don't really care if you two have your issues to work out, so long as he's there to look after you. On top of that, I have made an arrangement with the police to monitor Heiwajima-san's residence. Given that your abductor is still out there and already recaptured you once, it's best you have some backup in case he tries something else. Is that clear?" she questioned, tone soft but firm, showing that she meant business.
A tsk escaped the noiret. "Oh, and just what idiot was it that let me get captured again in the first place? You really think it's a good idea to have me go with him?" he inquired, pointing accusingly at the blond.
The accusation hit the Heiwajima hard. The feelings of guilt and self-hatred that had been tormenting him for the last two months rushed to the surface, revealing themselves through the widening of his eyes and tenseness around his mouth. His head dropped while his hands clenched into fists.
'He's right... I was the one who fucked up. I pushed Izaya away and he ended up getting taken again. I was the last person who should be taking care of him. I couldn't even track him down on my own. Why should someone as weak as me be taking care of him?' he thought as despair continues to roll over him.
Hitomi narrowed her eyes a bit before she spoke, tone stern. "Orihara-san. While I can appreciate your... apprehension, you will be going him with Heiwajima-san. I already explained that it wasn't up for discussion. Or do you have someone else who would be willing to take care of you?"
Her sharp words gave the brunet pause. She was right in her deduction. Izaya knew very well that there wasn't a person in the world who would be willing to accept and put up with him. That was how things were... how he lived his life. No one was close to him... no one except... The brunet gritted his teeth as the image of a certain doctor appeared in his head.
The informant shook his head before regaining his composure. He sighed. "Well, I can already tell I won't be able to talk you out of this... so I suppose I'll just have to accept your orders, for now anyway." he acquiesced.
His doctor nodded. "Good. Heiwajima-san." she said, turning to the blond. She placed a kind hand on his shoulder. Her lips curled into a frown as she felt him trembling. "Heiwajima-san, I have full confidence in you. What happened wasn't your fault, which I'm sure Orihara-san realizes, or will once he's come to terms with things. However, I'm making sure that you two are protected. I've arranged to have officers checking your home and to keep an eye out for Orihara-san's attacker. They'll be doing their best to catch him, so I want you to focus on taking care of yourself and helping out Orihara-san, alright? Do you think you can do that?"
Scared brown orbs met tranquil slate. He could see her sincerity and confidence in that firm gaze. He opened his mouth, words coming out in a low murmur. "Are you sure? Do you really think I'm the best choice for this?"
The doctor nodded, a comforting smile being directed at the enforcer. "I do. You're the one who's been taking care of him. It'll take time, but I'm sure you can help him." she reassured him, gently squeezing his shoulder.
The man took a deep breath and exhaled loudly before giving in. "Alright. I'll do my best." he replied. The physician released him before going to the door.
"Orihara-san, we're going to keep you for a few more days. I don't want you heading off until I know for sure that you'll be alright. I'll come and check on you both later." she told the pair before exiting the room.
Silence dominated in her absence, each of them lost in their own thoughts. They both were attempting to come to terms with the arrangement. Red eyes slowly rose to meet chocolate, piercing them. The words left the serpentine mouth, cold and hard.
"The doctor may be convinced you're trustworthy, but I'm not. You're the reason I'm in this bed for the second time in about as many months. I don't plan on forgiving you, no matter what Mother Teresa may think. I always thought you were a monster and now, you've proven it."