"Eh?" You yelp. "B-but you don't have brown hair unless..." You stood up in front of him checking his roots. You suffocated the man with your bust against his face. So soft, bouncy and tempting he could nestle into them. Instead he turns away to keep appearance grabbing your waist. "Stop moving." You protest.

"What are you doing?" You dismiss his question finding the brown hidden in his hair. You pull away satisfied and lift his head.

"You really are a brunette; but why dye your beautiful hair?" You ask.

"I suggested he bleach it to stand out more so people will be alerted by him. It was an idea to get pricks who wanted to challenge Shizuo to spot him the minute they see his signature hair color. Make those punks fear him." Tom said. You wound your fingers into his blonde locks.

"I remember." You said gaining a small flashback only this one did not hurt. "I bleached your hair didn't I?" You feel the texture of his hair between your thumb and index.

"Yeah, you did." He grunts. You beam recalling the fond memory.

"You complained about how I dyed it. You chased me around the house with a bag over your head." You giggle. The blonde grumbles as you recall. "Then you whined some more when you washed your hair saying it burned and then..." You sigh wandering your hands to his chest. You eye Tom as he waits in suspense. You blush and fake a frown. "I don't remember after that." You lied. Oh, you remembered very well what happened that day. It was your first night with him, bondage wise. You lost your virginity to him and he lost his old self after dyeing his hair to be someone new.

"Whoa, so you were friends before freshman year?" Tom asks.

"No, we we're a couple. I just don't remember when we started."

"What?" Tom freaked. "You mean to tell me all this time you two have been dating?"

"Not necessarily, we broke up because of long distance. We knew that even if we tried to call each other at far distances, it wouldn't be the same and it would take three years maybe more just to see each other. Shizuo insisted the latter which is to call, but I guess my heart wouldn't take it and so I decided to let him go. Cutting all ties." You theorized. "You felt there was something more but Shizuo's agreement said other wise.

"Damn, so you came back falling back in love with him huh? That sounds kind of beautiful. Like a match made in heaven." Shizuo pulls you close wrapping his arms around your waist. He hums content.

"Right? That's what Shinra said." An idea pops up in your head. "Hey babe?" You start. He hums in reply. "Did Shinra attend school with us all the way?"

"Yeah why?" You pull away to take his hand.

"Tom I'm going to borrow your body guard to get to Shinra's. Your shifts are over right?"

"I guess so. It is late."

"Great." You said.

"Wait! Are you coming home tonight?" You stay quiet unsure how to ask to stay over to your protective cousin. "Look, I'm not your dad (Y/n). You're an adult free to do as you please. If you're going to stay with Shizuo that's fine just let me know so I won't have to worry. I personally think it's a good idea. You'll be safer with him." You sigh. "But if you ever need anything let me know. I'm only a call away." You nod and walk up to him giving him a hug.

"Thank you. I'm sorry I make you worry so much. Now my head is on the line because of Izaya."

"You get used to it. They're just threats." You chuckle.

"Bye, I'll message you later to bring my bag of clothes." You wave to him dragging your boyfriend to Shinra's apartment.

You knock on the door after a long walk waiting patiently for one to answer.

"Care to tell me what you have in mind?" Shizuo asks.

"Shinra's been with us for a long time, he may have a better memory carrying all the answers to my question." The door clicks open revealing Shinra complaining behind him about being thrown a book at his head. He is leaving surprised seeing the two of you.

"Hey guys! What's up?" He chirps.

"Hey!" You greet back. "You said if I needed help remembering you would help." You quote.

"Yeah, I did. Come on in." He steps aside inviting you in. You walk down the hall until you're met in the living room. Celty sat on the couch reading something on her phone. She looks over her shoulder and welcomes you.

"(Y/n), what a surprise! Please come in. Would you like anything to drink?" She wrote.

"No, I'm good thanks." You take seat.

"How are your wounds?" She asks.

"My wounds?" You look at yourself and frown. You had forgotten about them. You cover your stomach ashamed.

"Don't worry about that big bruise. It will go away eventually. Maybe some lotion or make up will help heal faster or cover it up if you feel insecure."

"Who is she trying to impress?" Shizuo asks. "You're fine just the way you are." He slouches against the couch. You smile softly at your sweetheart.

"True. So what is it that you need help remembering?" You hand the black haired gent your journal. He opens the book reading each question.

"All the memories I've gained are written in the form of a question to search for the answers. If I can get a few of them answered.

"You have a nice system here, but sure I'll help. Sounds like a great idea to me. The main question is what do you really want to know? All of these questions revolve around a boy with brown hair, that being Shizuo."

"Shizuo is apart of my memory. I know he doesn't want to remember that past and his memory is just as terrible as mine." You tease. "So yeah I want to know everything." Shinra hesitated as if thinking about your proposal thouroughly. Your eyes beady and desperately pleading for him to comply.

"My memory is foggy. It was a long time ago, but I can try by answering the ones in your journal to the best of my extent."

"Thank you! That would be enough." You chirp. Shinra adjusts his glasses taking a look at the first question. He hands it back to you ready to answer. You held your pen out for notes.

"The boy with a bouquet of flowers was Shizuo. He wanted to gift you something for the first anniversary. He wasn't great with presents so he came to me for help. I suggested a few things then ran off to a flower shop. That's all I remember from that." You scribble everything down and turn to Shizuo with a wide smile. You could see his blush growing a deeper color.

"What?" He asks with a bitterness tone.

"Nothing it's just....Awe~!" You coo. "You did that for me? That is adorable." He turns away grumbling. You giggle at his reaction. Shinra chuckles earning a scowl from the brute. Quickly he shuts his mouth before he's beaten to a pulp.

"The first time he tried to gift you something was a plain rock with shaped as a heart with your initials inscribed in them." He chortles as if to mock the man. Instead you're surprised.

"Really?" You turn to the blonde. " You gave me that? I still have it in my apartment back home. Even when I lost my memory I couldn't part with it. I just thought it was said silly rock with faded initials on it." Celty squeals in delight finding the two of you adorable. A small smile adorns his lips happy to know that you thought of him and kept the small gifts even if you were thousands of miles apart. You add the new found info into your journal.

"Next question!" You urge. Shinra answers your next question. Meanwhile, Celty writes something on her phone and shows Shizuo,

"Can we talk? It's about (Y/n)." He furrows his brows concern filling him up. He nods approvingly. "Let's take a walk, you probably need a smoke after what I'm about to tell you." You turn to your lover curiously.

"Where are you two going?"

"A walk." Celty answers. "We'll be right back." You give them the thumbs up and proceed with the interview.

"So, what's the matter? Have you gotten anything yet?" He starts. She shakes her head.

"No in fact Shinra and I have entered a road block. We don't have a clue as to how to keep (Y/n) safe. We thought of many possibilities and landed with nothing. The fact remains that Izaya has ways of getting information and no matter how many times we try to keep her safe or in hiding, he'll gain a step closer to finding her." Shizuo growls in annoynace.

"That damned rat! It sounds like the only way to solve things is to kill him."

"We could do that, but aside from spotting him in the streets we need to find his hideout. So for now we could do our best to keep her safe until I find something. That or..."

"Or?" He quirks a brow urging her to continue.

"Or she goes home, but leaves without you." The suggestion made his heart drop to his stomach. You leaving without him never to return? He couldn't take another heart ache from you. He just got you back. Why would he want to let you go? Yes it was selfish but he's never felt happier than being with you and only you. He couldn't keep a moment of happiness all because of that bastard named, "Izaya". Always taunting him, stripping away what's rightfully his. The mere thought of him boiled his veins as rage courses through them. He clenches his jaw gritting his teeth.

"No!" He retorts.

"But Shizuo, the only reason Izaya is after her is because of you and he won't stop until she's gone."

"I know that! Don't you think I know that? I didn't ask for her life to end up in a danger line all because of that prick, but I won't let him be the reason he takes her away from me. He's not going to stop me from keeping her with me." He snarls. He looks at the ground pacing back and forth until he relaxes a little. "I just got her back. Letting her go is out of the question." He sighs. Celty observes her troubled friend. It distraught her to see him in such a state. Never has she seen him mixed with sorrow and anger. The fruition of his actions came into play like attaching the last piece of the puzzle.

"You love her don't you?" She wrote. Shizuo hesitates to answer. His mind scrolls to you. His expressions softens.

"Yes....I do." He verifies.

"I understand. Then I guess we have our answer don't we? To keep her safe." He lifts his eyes over to the biker relieved she is siding with him.

"Thanks for understanding. She means the world." He adds.

You finished your interview with Shinra. Quick and entertaining to learn about Shizuo and what he did for you. Sad to say you felt there was more to it. You didn't want to take up his time. A couple does need their privacy and night time in Ikebukero wasn't so safe to walk home. That is noted. Luckily you have Shizuo to be your knight.

"Thanks for helping me out Shinra. I think we made some progress today. I do remember some stuff so I suppose that's a plus." You chime.

"Not a problem. It's nice to have you around. Gives me more inspiration to continue perusing my Celty~" You chuckle at the dork.

"I feel the same. I hope you get your girl. Whelp I better get mine." You wave to him heading towards the door. You reach for the handle, but you are stopped by the doctor.

"Wait!" You turn to him. "There is...something else I should tell you, but can't exactly clarify." You tilt your head.

"What do you mean?" He sighs.

"Before you left Ikebukero, you told me something. Something important which you made me swear not to tell Shizuo or anybody. Your main reason for leaving wasn't because you were heart broken."

Heart broken? Did Shizuo cheat on you or something? No, he couldn't have. He was nothing like that. Blunt, honest and straight to the point. Although he did bloom into a total hottie so you wouldn't doubt there are others who are attracted. Nah, you shook your head not wanting to over think and lead to assumptions or mistrust. You trust him with all your heart. That is certain. You snap back to the conversation.

"The real reason involves a deal you made with Izaya and your family. You didn't want me to tell Shizuo to avoid hurting him further." Your eyes widen. Your curiosity piqued. You walk up to him slowly as if he were a rabbit about to scurry away if you made any sudden movements.

"A deal? Izaya mentioned it to me when he ambushed me with his goons. It sounded important. A reason for leaving Ikebukero." Shinra nods confirming your suspicions. "What exactly was the deal Shinra?"

"Isn't it obvious? To stay away from Shizuo and Ikebukero forever or your family pays the price." You gape in disbelief completely paralyzed in shock. "You took up his offer. You chose family over him. You were heartbroken over it, for abandoning Shizuo." You hold your head remembering an image of you shaking hands with a young Izaya. His Cheshire grin still devious as ever. "You should have never came back. Life would be better without you living in fear everyday. Even better that you have no memory of it. You always were a curious creature." He spoke darkly. Only the reflection of the light onto his glasses hid his eyes. You weren't sure whether or not to argue back and defend yourself, but the information given to you still processes into your mind. You are left speechless. You didn't know what to make of it. All you knew is your heart hurt like hell. You grasp your chest attempting to stop the suffering. Tears dared to spill but gave no satisfaction of letting any drop. You take a deep breath, holding it in and letting everything out clearing your mind.

"Wow, that's pretty fucked up of me. Thanks for telling me." You said. "I wouldn't blame you if you treat me like a bitch. I probably deserve it." Shinra shakes his head.

"Thing is I am a little mad that you came back out of no where bringing hope back into Shizuo, but I can't blame you. It seems like you two have a strong bond even if you lost your memories. You can't help it. You two love each other." You blush at the word. Love. Are you in love? "I understand. As much as it ticked me off, you're both my friends. If you make a choice. Make a right one and don't screw it up. Shizuo deserves better." With that he disappears into his office leaving you alone to walk yourself out. You do just that taking in everything into consideration. Your mind aches having so much to think about it nearly fried your brains out. Just as you walk out, Celty comes into view. You step back.

"Sorry." You mumble.

"You're fine. Shizuo is waiting outside for you." You thank her taking your leave.

You reach the entrance of the building. Your boyfriend leaning against the wall staring at the night sky after consuming his menthol. You stare at him dazed unsure what to believe. Thoughts swirled in your mind.

"Hey." You greet.

"Hey." He says back. "Did you get what you needed?" He points to your journal. You peer in the direction.

"Huh? Oh! Yes. I did. More than I was expecting." The brute raises a brow. Your tone off noticing something is bugging you. You hear his footfalls close in. His shoes come into views as you stare at the ground. His large hand gently slips into your hair reaching to the back of your head. They brush against your skin making the hairs rise giving you goosebumps.

"What's wrong?" He asks kindly. No hint of anger in his voice. It's usually held due to annoyance or frustration.

"Nothing just tired. Can we please go to your place?" You press your face against his chest childishly. You feel him rumble. A small laugh emits from him.

"Don't try to change the subject. Tell me what's really going on." He tips your head up to look at him. When he did, he never expected to see you crying. Instantly he becomes worried. You sniffle trying to stop the tears. "What's wrong?" He holds your head searching for answers. This man cares for you. The way he switched from playful to fearful said everything you needed to know about how he felt about you. Such a good man yet you felt there is more you wanted. You turn away pulling his hands away from you.

"I don't want to talk about it right now. Please. I'll tell you as soon as I can, but for now I don't want to say anything." You squeeze his hands. Your shoulders quiver holding in your emotions. You refused to totally break down in front of him. You don't deserve his kindness or so you thought. All you felt is confliction. You just wanted this day to end to think clearly. Despite his question unanswered, he accommodates your wishes taking you home with him. An arm wraps around you keeping you at his side. You gratefully take up his gesture as you head home. You didn't realize how upset it made him to see you distraught. All he could do is soothe you to your liking.