"YOU STILL BELONG TO ME!" Izaya felt the rope sway and vibrate violently as something hit it. Just as it was settling, he heard the faint sound of fibers ripping apart.

"Oh, yeah," Kuro's tone was calm. "I forgot to mention; the rope holding you is quite a bit old. It most likely won't be able to hold you for much longer."

Upon hearing this, Izaya's fear spiked and he could tell he was visibly panicking. All he could hear and focus on was the splitting rope fibers and Kuro's dark chuckles.

"KURO!!!!" A sudden shout from outside was enough to bring Izaya back from his fear-stricken panic.

"Well," Kuro said. "It seems we have some company." Izaya heard footsteps as Kuro walked to the other side of the room. Then, he heard running footsteps come to a stop.

"Izaya!" The raven-haired male immediately recognized his boyfriend's voice.

"Shizuo!" he cried out, unable to hide his fear.

As Shizuo rounded the corner and made it to the warehouse entrance, he saw Izaya strung up to the ceiling of the building.

"Izaya!" He called to him, making sure he knew it was him. Izaya's face perked up as he recognized his voice.

"Shizuo!" he called back, his voice filled with panic and fear.

'There's no way he knows how high up he is,' Shizuo glared at the black-haired male standing at the other side of the warehouse. 'I'll make sure this bastard pays!'

"Ah ah ah," Kuro said as soon as Shizuo took a step forward. "You have a choice to make here, Shizuo."

"What choice?" he asked.

"Pummel me," he motioned towards Izaya. "Or save your boyfriend."

"Please Shizuo," Izaya's eyes were starting to tear up. "The rope's about to give out." Looking up, the blonde could see that he was right. There was no way he could beat up Kuro and save Izaya. He looked back at Kuro, glaring as Izaya's ex smiled.

"Shit."

Izaya could feel tears beginning to well up as he heard the last supporting fibers begin to break; slowly at first, then speeding up as his weight out weighed the support. He squeezed his eyes shut as the final fiber gave way.

"Shizuo!" He felt his body drop as gravity pulled him back down. Then, he felt strong arms catch him.

"Sh-Shizuo," As soon as he was free, Izaya wrapped his arms around his boyfriend tightly. He let the tears run down his cheeks as he felt the blonde return a comforting hug.

"I'm sorry," Shizuo said. "He got away.."

"No," Izaya shook his head. "I don't care about that right now.." He felt Shizuo hug him tighter to let him know that he understood.

"Let's head home," Shizuo whispered. "Do you want me to carry you?" Izaya nodded. He didn't have the strength to walk after what had just happened.