**Setting Boundaries**

Shizu-chan, sit the fuck down you brute! Izaya said annoyed and aggravated. His smile had long since faded, replaced by a scowl of irritation. He took a step closer to Shizuo, his eyes blazing with a mix of frustration and malice. Shizuo, still charging forward, didn't seem to notice the change in Izaya's demeanor. That was, until Izaya grabbed him by the neck, his grip like a vice. The other hand emerged from behind his back, a glint of metal appearing in the dim light of the penthouse apartment. Izaya's hand closed around the hilt of Shizuo's knife, the one he had taken from the young monster earlier. Shizu-chan, are you going to listen or do you want your tongue cut off, Izaya said, his voice dripping with malice. The knife pressed against Shizuo's cheek, its cold surface a stark contrast to the warmth of his skin. Shizuo shivered, his eyes wide with fear as he stared up at Izaya. I will never... he began, but his words were cut off as Izaya punched him in the face. The sound of the punch was like a crack of thunder, and Shizuo's head whipped back, his eyes watering. Izaya yanked his hair up, pulling Shizuo's head back. Shizu-chan, I told you to fucking listen, he snarled, his breath hot against Shizuo's ear. You need to learn some discipline, some respect. You're not some mindless beast, no matter how much you seem to act like one. Shizuo gasped, his eyes streaming with tears as he tried to pull away. Izaya's grip on his hair was like a vice, and the knife still pressed against his cheek. Izaya's grip on Shizuo's neck tightened, his fingers digging deep into the young monster's skin. You're going to learn to follow the rules, Izaya hissed, his voice low and menacing. And the first rule is that you listen to me. Got it? Shizuo nodded, his body trembling with fear. Y-yes... he stuttered, his voice barely above a whisper. Izaya's grip relaxed, and he pushed Shizuo away, releasing his hair and the knife. The metal clattered to the floor, and Izaya took a step back, his chest heaving with exertion. Shizuo stumbled back, his eyes fixed on Izaya with a mix of fear and hatred. Izaya just smiled, a cold, calculating smile. That's good, Shizu-chan. Now, let's try this again. You're going to sit down, and you're going to listen to what I have to say. And if you don't... well, let's just say you won't like the consequences. Shizuo's eyes narrowed, his face still throbbing from the punch. But he knew better than to defy Izaya, not when he was in this mood. With a sullen expression, Shizuo sat down, his massive frame squeezed into one of the penthouse apartment's luxurious armchairs. Izaya sat down across from him, a pleased smile still plastered on his face. Now, let's get down to business, Shizu-chan. We have a lot to discuss.