A/N: This story is for ewizaya and bakazayadesu, because I love both of them. It's gonna be a multichapter, if you beautiful people out there consider it any good. I hope you'll like it!

Disclaimer: None of the characters in this story are mine.

PS: Yes, there will be smut ;)

Chapter 1

Of Chance Meetings and Beautiful Strangers

Shizuo smiled charmingly at the girl in front of him. She was a petite, blond-haired, blushing creature, obviously new at her job as a shop attendant. And she probably didn't expect a tall, handsome client to pay attention to her, and when he did, she was too busy looking away and trying to discreetly straighten her clothing to realise there was something fishy going on.

It was a nice, chilly day. The winter was coming, and coming fast, and the streets of Ikebukuro filled with coat-clad people, rushing with their everyday tasks in all directions. The air was crisp, but there was no snow yet, and the sun was shining brightly at the bustling city, bringing smiles to faces and making even the most busy of it's inhabitants stop for a few seconds and simply enjoy the gentle, warm touch on their cheeks.

Shizuo was in a jewelry store at the moment, looking at necklaces, rings and bracelets, supposedly for his dear, old mother's birthday. He smiled even more at the petite girl in front of him, liking the way she explained the value and meaning of every gem. It was obvious she liked her work, and liked an interested, and very handsome client even more. Shizuo nodded finally, taking a little box from her and giving her a roll of cash in exchange. Now, the yen banknotes he was paying with weren't exactly the most legitimate ones... But the girl by the counter was too delighted to notice, and given that Tom-san was impossibly good at what he was doing, her bosses won't notice that, either. What she didn't see and they would, however, was that along with the beautiful ring hidden in the little box she just gave the client, a few of the store's precious diamonds disappeared as well. This, however, will be found out many hours and many more customers later… And even if she did remember the blond gentleman who stopped by in the morning, she would not suspect him at all.

Like many, many before her.

Ten minutes later Shizuo went out of the shop, wrapping his long, soft scarf around his neck. He grinned, playing with the diamonds in his pocket. It wasn't hard to get them; it was just an exercise, to keep his fingers busy. He would probably lose most of them later, just to create some chaos and confuse any policemen that were on his trail, or just taking care of this particular theft. Shizuo smiled as he felt the rays of sunshine on his cheeks. Life was good today... And the diamonds in his pocket will be nothing compared to what he will get this evening. The blond couldn't wait.

Heiwajima Shizuo was a thief. The thief, to be exact. Of course, there were no actual rankings, but considering the loot he has gathered over the years, as well as the fact he was still walking free and, what's more, his face was all but unknown to the authorities, made him possibly a strong candidate for the best in his field.

It wasn't something he boasted about, even to these few people who knew the truth. Shizuo didn't want to become a thief, let alone the one the press so lyrically nicknamed the King of Thieves, mainly because he specialised in stealing precious gems. The path that led to him choosing this profession was bumpy and uneven; it started from the moment his mother died, and the blond himself ended up on the streets of Tokyo, with no money, no relatives, and a little brother to take care of. They lived of what they could find, sleeping in a little vent by the underground station, because it was warm. Day after day, Shizuo would take little jobs for even less money, running all around the city with different tasks, getting beaten and cursed on simply because of the state of his clothes and the dirt on his cheeks. Day after day, he would return to their little hideout, bringing his little brother what food he could buy, along with pencils, with textbooks and notebooks, because Kasuka had to go to school, had to have nice, or at least clean clothes, had to shower and brush his teeth. Because he wanted his little brother to have a normal life.

With time, Shizuo would start going to better districts of the city, until finally one day he met a person that changed both his and his brother's life. His name was Shishizaki, and he was a thief; and Shizuo owned everything to him. The fact that they were taken from the streets, given home and normal lives. At least, Kasuka was given a normal life. The blond was to remain in the grey world of the thieves, in between black and white of everyday life in Ikebukuro. Shishizaki taught him everything he knew, and Shizuo was a good student. When his mentor disappeared, he was able to continue as a thief; and after a few years, it was clear he has bested his teacher.

Shizuo got to his hotel room; he needed a change of clothes before work. His apartment was big and expensive; what was the point of being the best thief in Japan, or possibly even the world, if he couldn't get a bit of luxury now and then? And was it really that weird for Heiwajima Shizuo, an owner of distinct shares in a debt-collecting company known all over Tokyo, a brother of famous actor, Hanejima Yuuhei, to live in such a room from time to time? He thought not; and if any policeman ever decided to look into it, they would not think so, too.

The blond looked in the mirror, grinning at the sight. He looked completely average; grey suit, grey coat, grey hat to cover his blond hair, blue sunglasses to hide his honey eyes, both from the shining sun and from any curious looks. Shizuo wrapped his favourite, soft, white scarf around his neck to complete the image and went out, heading towards the bank. If everything went well, he was going to spend today's night drinking champagne with the most beautiful, the most rare ruby in the world on his bedside table. The blond seriously couldn't wait.

Shizuo walked quickly, his excitement making him not look where he was going. He turned around the corner and bumped into someone much smaller and more petite, making them fall down. The blond cursed, kneeling beside the slender figure of...

His eyes widened. He must have accidentally bumped into the most beautiful human being in Tokyo.

...

Izaya leaned back on his chair with a yawn. His crimson eyes wandered around the office that he had set up in his own home. He didn't really like being told what to do in some shared one, besides, as a private detective, there was no need for him to work at some stuffy, dirty police station. If the police needed him, they had to come to him, not the other way around.

Izaya Orihara was a detective. The best one in Japan, having solved many cases that left the combined forces of Tokyo's finest gaping and hopeless. He could get information on someone faster than one could bat an eyelash. He was the top of the top, and was fully aware of the fact; which was, of course, why the case he was working on at the moment was driving him insane.

A week. He was on the case of the so-called King of Thieves for a week already, and…

Nothing.

He didn't know what the man looked like. He wasn't able to find any pictures, no information on his looks, not to mention no name. Every single identity this person ever used turned out to be either someone completely different and unrelated, or simply led to nowhere. The sheer skill of evading Izaya like that… The raven couldn't help but feel a dash of respect apart from his frustration.

This thief… was good.

Izaya slowly stood up, sighing slightly. He walked over to the couch and lifted a fur-trimmed coat from it, slipping it on and walking out of the apartment. Once he was on the sidewalk, he began to walk around aimlessly, wanting only to clear his head.

The city swirled and bustled all around him, countless people walking past the petite raven, rushing to their respective destinations. They were like the living blood, flowing through the arteries of the city in a never-ending stream of consciousness; of problems, dreams, little happinesses and bits of despair. Every one of them, submerged in their own, little world, every one of them thinking they were the ones that the universe revolved around.

Izaya knew they were wrong, but he never said it out loud, guarding this knowledge like a precious, little secret. Because in the end… This was what made his little humans so fascinating.

Oh, how he loved to look at these faces, to guess their feelings and future, to play with their boring lives. He was never the one to take any action; he never lied, but sometimes kept quiet about certain truths. Pulling a string where it was needed, giving a gentle push on the back at the crossroads of lives, he was the one dancing on the rooftops of Ikebukuro, the one who watched over the crowd.

These times when he helped out the police in solving one case or the other were but a hobby to his actual, preferred profession; namely, being a god.

Though the job description hardly mentioned the eventuality of bumping into something hard and falling on the ground in a rather undignified manner while on a casual walk. The raven let out a little yelp and cursed as he looked up, meaning to glare at whatever - whoever - made him fall down like that; only for his glare to dissolve into a completely other expression, when he saw just how hot the man who bumped into him was.

...

The petite raven man that was at the moment laying on the sidewalk was absolutely enchanting. His skin was pale, delicate, his hair jet black, like midnight, and his eyes... His eyes were like the finest rubies. Shizuo gulped.

"I'm... I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention... Are you alright? Can you stand?" The blond's voice was all silk and molten gold. His hands gently supported the stranger's back, helping him to stand, as the raven beauty nodded, letting himself be helped up.

"No no, it's fine. I wasn't really watching where I was going.. I apologize." Izaya stated, trying to keep himself from smirking. This guy… this guy was gorgeous. And the raven hardly ever let go of someone he thought worthwhile, let alone someone looking as good as the blond before him. Even in the most casual clothing possible, with hat and sunglasses on, there was something about this man… Something almost hypnotizing. Something different and interesting, and Izaya needed a distraction.

While all these thoughts passed the raven's head, Shizuo calculated his chances at a lightning speed. He had to get to the bank before closing time. And he absolutely had to get this beautiful man to at least give him his number.

If things go well, he won't be drinking champagne alone tonight, after all.

"No, no, I insist." The blond took off his hat politely, giving the raven an elegant bow. "I was careless, and it was you who fell, in the end. Won't you let me pay for my mistakes somehow? A coffee… or dinner, perhaps? I know a very good sushi restaurant around here..."

Izaya blinked for a moment before tapping the point of his shoe on the ground. It seemed he and this man shared the sentiment… "I do not usually go on dates with strangers, mister...?" The raven raised an eyebrow at the tall blond. He might as well play with him a little…

Shizuo narrowed his eyes, though he was far from giving up. "Why, I figured that much out." he smiled charmingly. "Which is why I am not asking you out on a date. I only ask of you to let me repay my rudeness and causing you to fall; and if a coffee and a nice chat is involved, that's only better, is it not?" Shizuo all but purred the last sentence, and made a show of realising he should introduce himself finally. The blond shook Izaya's hand with a strong, trustworthy grip, smiling at him his best smile. "My name's Heiwajima Shizuo." He gave the raven his real name, the name he used so rarely, and never during work, that he was sure this stranger knowing it won't cause any harm.

"Oh, is that so…" Izaya's eyes shone playfully as he accepted the hand offered. "In that case, it would be my pleasure to go for a coffee… or dinner… with you, mister Heiwajima. Ah, and my name is Orihara Izaya."

Shizuo's jaw literally dropped. "You're the Orihara Izaya?" He said in an disbelieving voice, thinking an instant oh shit to himself. "The detective? The one who helped to frame both Yellow Scarves and Blue Squares at the same time?" Of course he knew who Orihara Izaya was. Not only the press covered the famous investigation, but Shizuo knew from his own sources that this man was not to be taken lightly. On the other hand... Why would Orihara Izaya bother himself with a thief like him? If he realises who he is, of course. "...it's such a pleasure to meet you! Even though I must say I have little to boast of to my own name, apart having a famous brother." The blond chuckled slightly, as if in embarrassment.

Izaya couldn't help but smirk, letting his mask slip a bit. "Ah, you seem quite familiar with my name… But I have heard yours before, too. The famous actor, Hanejima Yuuhei… Or, actually, Heiwajima Kasuka... Is your brother. I am right, am I not? You two look alike."

"...impressive." Shizuo smiled at him, bowing his head softly. "Kasuka isn't exactly bragging about me... I must confess I am a bit of a black ship of the family. Nevertheless, I'm surprised you knew that." the blond really wasn't. He was impressed, yes... But not surprised. "Well then... Mister Orihara... If you'd meet me on Sunshine 60 Street, by the restaurant "Russia Sushi" in three hours, I'd be more than happy. Is the time alright with you?" Shizuo really hoped it was. He'll manage to go back to the hotel safely with the ruby in his pocket, and change before dinner with a detective... A very beautiful detective, at that. It sounded like fun.

"Actually, that's a perfect time. I'm free, so yes. I'll be there." The raven stated. He was lying. He was on the case, and hardly had time for idiocy such as a surprise dinner with beautiful stranger… But, something in the blond made him agree. He could always use the excuse of needing to relax; gods knew he needed that… "Well, see you until then." he said quietly, bowing his head slightly in goodbye, taking advantage of the position to discreetly give the blond a one-over. To say he was pleased was an understatement.

"Until then..." Shizuo smiled at Izaya's look. He wasn't shy or self-conscious. He knew he looked good. If only Izaya had first seen him in his favourite, flattering white-and-black wear... But, he had to see him in work clothes. What a shame.

The blond exchanged last pleasantries with his newest date he met by such a chance, and watched him leave, sorting out all the data he gathered during this small meeting. He was insane. He just proposed a date to worse than a cop, worse than a detective; a gorgeous, beautiful, the best detective in whole Japan. And they set the time just after Shizuo will be done with his newest job. It's possible he will be sitting in front of Izaya with the ruby in his pocket.

Insanity.

Also, Vorona was going to kill him.

Shizuo smiled to himself, pushing his hand back in his pocket and playing with the few little diamonds there. He turned around and started walking in the direction of the bank, his lips still stretched, and a little smirk dancing on them, constantly hiding in one of the corners of his mouth. This… this excitement, this adrenaline he felt coursing through his body… The rush of the chase, the uncertainty whether he was the prey or predator, it was driving the blond crazy; and he loved every second of it.

The game is on, detective, he thought. And so, let me make the first move…