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Who: Shizuo and Zelda
When: Middayish?
Where: Zelda's place (is how Shizuo still thinks of it)
Style: Action
Status: Closed

[Shizuo doesn't trust Izaya.

Maybe he should. Maybe he needs to learn to believe in the small percentage of Izaya's goodness. But getting there is easier said than done, and his conversations with Izaya over the past couple of days have left Shizuo with a foreboding feeling. He doesn't expect that talking to Zelda will change her mind about Izaya, but he wants to try.

Even if it makes him feel like his loyalties are conflicted. Even if it hurts, a little. Being unable to trust, and expecting that Izaya will screw him - and Zelda - over.

He knocks on Zelda's bedroom door.]

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[She puts her book to the side and answers the door, smiling up at Shizuo.]

Hello, Shizuo. Please, come in.

[Zelda holds the door open and extends her arm out. Her room is fairly large and there is seating besides her bed, so hopefully he won't feel too uncomfortable.]

[Shizuo gives her a small smile and steps inside. He's comfortable enough with her by now to take a seat without being invited - and, well, he needs it for this conversation. He wastes no time.]

Zelda. You really should stay away from Izaya. As much as you can.

This again?

[She sits across from him.]

I thought you two made up! Though he was a little upset the last time we spoke, I suppose...

We did. That's why you need to listen to me.

[He looks deeply conflicted, but continues to talk.]

He isn't a good person, Zelda. Not at all. I know that better than you or anyone. I'm trying to accept him even though I know that, but it doesn't change the way he is. And...I think he might - be upset.

I see.

[She rubs the bridge of her nose, glancing out the window.]

If he is that displeased with this arrangement, I'm capable of taking care of myself. I like having you around, but I don't want to make enemies here, or to make your life difficult.

It's not that.

[Now he's uncomfortable.]

We got in a conversation about the people who are most important to us, and - well you're my most important person.

[This is - terrible. Shizuo just wants to leave. Instead, he looks away.]

He knows it's not like - that. But - I think he's upset anyway. We haven't even been doing - this - very long, I don't know what I was supposed to say. He's tried to ruin my life before - and.

If it weren't for you, I might not have even given him a chance.

Edited 2012-02-23 05:01 (UTC)

You... you said that to him?

[She's embarrassed too, but touched. That's just too sweet, Shizuo! She would hug him if it were less awkward.]

Oh Shizuo, that is probably not what he wanted to hear... ah, but you figured that out by yourself, didn't you? I understand. I won't bother him.

Yeah, I did.

[He sighs. He's really troubled about this, and even though Zelda says she'll stay away, he doesn't think she realizes just how dangerous Izaya can be. But he's said a lot already, and it feels like he's betrayed Izaya yet again. Of course, Izaya had made no promises, and Shizuo had countered with no promises of his own...

But this is hard.]

I'm sorry. Just in case. I'm really sorry. I get you mixed in with stuff a lot and...just. Be careful.

What do you mean, you get me mixed in with a lot of stuff? You have not put me in danger before. If anything, I have done so to you, sending you after Vegeta.

[She really, really regrets that. Especially after getting back reports about how powerful he is...]

[This is the worst conversation ever. Shizuo is going to make himself scarce after this.]

I wanted to go after him. And...I've talked to him, a little. We fought a couple of times. He told me he could help me get control, and -

[His tone wavers, very slightly, but enough to be detectable.]

He told me he'd...hurt my most important person. To make me want to get better. That's how Izaya and I ended up talking about it. I put you in danger.

[She was about to ask how Vegeta even knew, but Zelda is nothing if not smart. Immediately she remembers the urgency with which Shizuo asked to move in, and how sudden it was. He had been trying to protect her.

He had led Vegeta right to his most important person.

She can't bring herself to tell him. It would crush him.]

It is alright, Shizuo. Even if I die, I will just come back. And...

[This time she smiles a little.]

Do you remember when I told you of my guardian, and how you reminded me of her? She was able to control herself for the same reason, in order to protect me. I don't think I'm worthy of being held in such high regard, but if it helps you, then I am happy to be in that role.

You're not going to die. I promise I won't let that happen. I'm getting better already.

[He tries to sound more confident than he feels, but regardless, he'll do anything in his power to keep that from happening.]

You shouldn't be happy. I keep getting you in trouble.

[It does make him feel better to hear it, though.]

Why shouldn't I be? You have been doing well.

[She pats his hand, looking pleased.]

You did not even scold Zelos for calling you that name! I was worried you two would start fighting.

I hope so.

[It's a comforting pat. Shizuo gives her a smile - she really always does make him feel better.]

I was worried too...It was close.

Yes, well. I feel the need to give him a good beating every now and again too, so I would say it is natural to feel that way. Still, I think he would take to it a little less kindly if it were a man attacking him.

[Zelda has a sneaking suspicion that Zelos likes to be hit sometimes, but she just... wouldn't be able to stop herself if he really deserved it. She'd hit Lysunder, too.]

[He smiles, again, at that. Then feels like clarifying.]

I don't...not like him or anything. I'm just not used to trying to talk to people like that.

[He means reason with them. Usually he's threatening enough to warrant that unnecessary.]

I don't dislike him either! I am... fond of him.

[She sits back again and relaxes.]

It's good to talk things out with people though, isn't it? If you had hit him, he would likely keep calling you by that name. Since you asked sincerely, he was more sympathetic.

[Shizuo nods. He knows Zelda likes him. And that just makes him more motivated to get along with Zelos. Things might be awkward between them, but Shizuo will make an effort.]

Yeah. I'm glad I did. That I could.

Shizuo...

[There's still something that makes her uncomfortable. She shifts her weight, then decides to out with it.]

I do appreciate the warning about Izaya. But... I only need one warning, alright? I don't want you to feel like you are stuck between us.

[That's exactly how he feels. And if Izaya does anything, he'll feel it even more. But he appreciates what Zelda is saying - a lot. If nothing else, it'll ease some of the burden.]

As long as you promise to be careful.

[And relief.]

Thank you.

[He really wishes Izaya could see this - see why Zelda is so important to him.]

I consider myself a cautious person, so please put it out of your mind.

[Unless someone she really cares about is on the line, then she can be a little more reckless... but she tries to not think about it.]

Okay. I'll try.

[That conversation didn't go nearly as badly as Shizuo had anticipated. He's relieved and grateful and a whole slew of other positive feelings. And after his cuddle-session with Izaya earlier that day, things really seem to be looking up.]

[Zelda stands, looking satisfied.]

Well then! I was planning to attempt dinner myself today.

[She gestures to the cook book she had been reading.]

Would you like to help?

[Shizuo stands too.]

Yeah, I'd like that a lot.

[He probably won't be great at it, but Shizuo's glad to be helpful.]

[Zelda heads downstairs to the kitchen and gets out all the ingredients for yakisoba. She knew that Shizuo was Japanese, and Zelos seemed to possess some sort of fondness for the culture too, so it was going to be the first thing she attempted. She looks comically determined as she holds out the knife to Shizuo for him to shred the cabbage with.]

Would you mind cutting the cabbage?

No, I can do that.

[Shizuo accepts the knife and begins to do as he is instructed. Cutting cabbage isn't all that hard, and he enjoys the simplicity of the task.]

[Zelda does her best to make the sauce while the water is boiling, but it's confusing. Japanese cuisine is not her strong point, and even though she's followed the directions it tastes strange to her. Salty and sweet?]

Can you try this?

[She holds the spoon out to him.]

[Shizuo finishes up with the cabbage, glad to be of use. He carefully takes the spoon from Zelda and tastes the sauce. It's a little...off. But Shizuo is no gourmet cook, and doesn't exactly know what's off about it.]

It's...good. But. Maybe just a little too salty?

[She adds some more of the sweet sauce to the mix, looking mildly confused about it. That tastes so weird! Not bad, but weird. She holds it out to him again. It's actually mostly right this time, but she looks like she thinks it's all wrong.]

How about now?

[He tastes it again, and smiles, looking impressed.]

Better! Really good, even. You're a good cook.

[Shizuo will be your cheerleader, Zelda.]

Oh, do you think so? I haven't tried anything complicated, before.

[She's pleased, though! Zelda adds everything to the pan, including the cabbage Shizuo shredded. It says to just stir and fry, but that seems horribly messy to her. Instructions are instructions, though, and she'll follow them.

Until the oil jumps out at her. She summons a barrier, staring at the pan like it just tried to attack her.]

[Shizuo watches as Zelda cooks. He's perfectly capable of cooking a meal for dinner, but he's always kept it simple and has never really bothered with making sauces and investing in other details.

When she summons the barrier, he straightens, thinking that something may have happened that he missed. But when he sees her expression as she looks at the pan, he laughs, good-naturedly.]

Oil is tricky.

Edited 2012-02-23 18:01 (UTC)

That is normal, then? Hmm. I see why Impa refused to let me cook, it is dangerous.

[She's just going to go ahead and leave that barrier up, thanks. She remembers briefly that Izaya had mentioned taking cooking classes together, but... it probably wasn't something he still wanted to do. Which was a shame; whatever he thought of her she did like him.]

How do humans protect themselves from the oil?

Maybe lower the heat a little?

[He shrugs.]

[It takes her a bit, but she figures out how to turn down the heat. She's quite pleased when it stops jumping up at her, removing the barrier. Zelda wants to ask where Shizuo was last night, but it doesn't seem appropriate.]

I wonder if Zelos will be home tonight? I'll make enough regardless.

[Let's just casually mention people not being home and see if he picks up on it. ~~Shizuo doesn't pick up on hints easy, Zelda~~]

[Totally doesn't pick up on it. Just nods and acknowledges her statement. Yup.]

Good idea.

[Really Shizuo? Really? She doesn't bring it up further, letting him continue on his merry oblivious way and adding the partially-done noodles from the pot of boiling water now that the meat has cooked through. They can just cook the rest of the way in the sauce.]

Oh, people are showing up again. Guy reminded me. We should probably keep an eye on the plaza, since Yuno is still on the loose.

[Yuno. Right. While he has been aware of the murders and concerned, they haven't exactly weighed on Shizuo's mind as much as other, more immediate things. Which isn't good.]

That's a good idea.

[And he will!]

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Re: 3/3

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Come make cookies with mom~ <3

All the happy tears

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What no I wasn't distracted by other threads that are going on... TOO MANY FEELS

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mfw first time I had something like this: O-o??

I've never had it, aha.

IT TASTES SO WEIRD

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Sorry - work things make me slow

Work things also make me slow

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