Archive of Our Own

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Dazai did not sleep after his frank discussion with Chuuya, but that did not surprise him; instead, he sat up in the lounge after everyone else had gone to bed and took the quiet solitude of the night to let his brain reboot. Whilst the night hours could be frustrating in that they often mocked Dazai’s attempts to sleep, he did find some comfort in its lack of expectations. People left him to himself during the night, and he was able to just exist without the pressure of responsibilities. It gave his brain time to comb over everything without interruptions, which was occasionally better than sleep anyway. Chuuya, as always, had given him a lot to think about, and whilst Dazai wasn’t sure whether it was worth mulling over, he found himself doing so anyway.  

Chuuya had always been more emotional out of the two of them, quick to feeling and able to act on it. It was something Dazai both detested and admired. Feelings and emotion did not come easily to Dazai, and it often took some time for him to even acknowledge or admit what they were. For the longest time, he had not understood his bodily reactions to Chuuya, and had often attributed them as sure signs of his hatred towards the other teenaged mafiosa – elevated heart-rate, sweating palms, inability to think as clearly whenever Chuuya was around. By the time he had figured them out, his emotional regulation was so beyond broken that it no longer mattered.

The scar he had shown Chuuya was a strange one for him; like the rest of his scars, he kept it well hidden, though this one held a higher amount of shame for him. It was proof that his own feelings had grown too large and too painful to keep in his own chest, and proof that he was indelibly human. It was something he found infinitely shameful to admit, but on the rare occasion he did allow himself to look upon it, it also tugged at a long worn down heart. Odasaku had been a turning point in Dazai’s miserable life, but Chuuya had been something else entirely. Odasaku had given Dazai something to live for, but Chuuya had been his first reason to live at all. The scar that was carved so deeply into his own thigh was a reminder of that, as well as a reminder that no matter how bleak and broken and monstrous Dazai felt, there was a part of him that was human enough to feel that strongly for another being.

Showing it to Chuuya had been the most uncharacteristically vulnerable Dazai had ever been, and he sat up all night thinking about whether it had been the right move or not.

Chuuya also spent most of the night tossing and turning, torn between the truth he had sold himself during Dazai’s absence, and the one Dazai had presented to him. Dazai’s truth removed some of Chuuya’s anger, but it only replaced it with a deeper sorrow, as well as a guilt that Chuuya felt he ought not to feel. Dazai’s pain had, without a doubt, been caused by Dazai, and whilst Chuuya felt he understood Dazai’s reasonings better now, it didn’t change the fact that it had been his choice to leave. Chuuya did not enjoy the fact that Dazai had been hurting too, but he tried not to let it drown him for it had, ultimately, been Dazai’s choice. He may have been a Mafia Executive, but he wasn’t cruel, and unnecessary suffering brought him no joy. The thought of Dazai somewhere alone for those two years, his best friend dead and the fucked up family of the Mafia gone, hurting enough to hurt himself, gave Chuuya no relief. Knowing they had both suffered did not help him at all.  

Tired but unable to force any further sleep, Chuuya dragged himself up early and dressed for the gym. He avoided his reflection in any of the mirrors, knowing the purple beneath his eyes would appear stark against the grey pallor of his skin, and it wasn’t something he wanted to see. Perhaps he was vain, but he often took pride in his appearance, and seeing himself sleep-deprived and worn would only spiral him further. He decided he would spend time and effort on his hair after his work out as he pulled it back into a bun for the time being.

He stepped out into the dark lounge to find Dazai sat over on one of the sofas, long legs stretched out and propped up onto a foot stool as he gazed out of the open curtains at the night cityscape beyond. He seemed to be deep in thought, his face pale and cast in moonlight, but Chuuya knew he had noticed his presence. He readjusted his bag on his shoulder and strolled over.

‘Morning,’ he said quietly; Dazai turned to look at him, his face blank but his dark eyes scanning Chuuya.

‘Good morning.’ Dazai replied, his voice soft and tired.

Chuuya looked at him for a moment, taking in the dark bruises beneath his eyes and the tightness of the skin around them, pulled taught despite the vacant mask he wore. Beneath the face he was choosing to display was a swirl of sleepless stress.

‘I’m going to the gym.’ Chuuya announced. ‘You should come with me.’

Dazai pulled a face, and Chuuya was relieved to see that impassive blankness disappear, if only in a mocking grimace.

‘Come on,’ Chuuya insisted, unable to fight the smile that pulled at his lips. ‘We used to spar, I know you’ve got some muscle beneath all those bandages. You really letting it all go to waste now you’re one of the good guys?’

‘I can hold my own.’ Dazai said, eyes narrowing.

‘Alright.’ Chuuya grinned. ‘Prove it.’

‘Chuuya, it’s too early for your brutish nonsense.’ Dazai sighed, leaning back into the sofa and fixing Chuuya with a pensive look.

‘I know you haven’t slept.’ Chuuya said dryly. ‘This might help wear you out.’

‘Hm.’ Dazai mused, his eyes glancing down Chuuya’s body before flicking back up, his expression twisting into a smile Chuuya disliked. ‘I can think of better ways to wear myself out.’

‘I’m sure you can.’ Chuuya said flatly, one eyebrow raised.

Dazai let a slow, sardonic grin spread over his face; Chuuya remained impassive, his face fixed as he waited for Dazai to accept his challenge – for all Dazai’s plays at nonchalance, Chuuya had never known him to back down from a bet.

‘Fine.’ Dazai sighed eventually, making a show of taking his feet off of the stool and standing up to stretch. ‘Chuuya can attempt to beat me up if it makes him feel better.’

Chuuya tutted as Dazai breezed past him to change into something easier to move in than his usual tan trousers, and waited for him to return. Once he did, they left the suite together and headed for the gym – there was a strange tension rolling between them, and whilst the walk from the room to the gym was barely minutes, Chuuya didn’t like it. Throughout all of the phases of their relationships, there had never been awkward tension – hate, animosity, frustration, sure, but never tension. Chuuya had thrown himself face (or foot) first into their initial meeting, and their entire relationship had progressed in a similar fashion, with sparks and passion and words spoken too quickly and too empathetically. Tension had never had time to grow before one of them had addressed it, and maybe not always in the best way, sometimes with fists and teeth instead of words, but things had never felt awkward.

Chuuya flicked on the lights to the gym and dropped his bag down by the running machines – Dazai wandered off, eyes roaming the small room with mild disdain. Chuuya watched him until he disappeared behind one of the apparatuses then shook his head and jumped onto the running machine to warm up.

He had been running for ten minutes when Dazai returned, dark brown eyes sweeping over Chuuya as he ran. Chuuya glanced at him, attempting to ignore his irritating presence as he stood off to the side, before slowing the machine to a brisk walk.

‘What?’ He snapped.

‘I thought Chuuya wanted to spar.’ Dazai said.

Chuuya fixed him with a look as he slowed the machine right down.

‘You don’t need to warm up?

Dazai scoffed.

‘Don’t need to.’ He said.

Chuuya stopped the running machine and hopped off with a grin.

‘Alright,’ he laughed. ‘Fine.’

He grabbed his water and took several deep swigs before leading them over to the mats where they stood facing one another. He had not used this particular space yet, having chosen to stick to the machines, but he tested the surface for a moment, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Dazai seemed to do the same, but with less enthusiasm.

Chuuya regarded him with a grin, acknowledging his presence as he stood there, tall and lanky and lean in his t-shirt and tracksuit pants, arms covered as always by the bandages that wrapped up and around them. He was watching Chuuya blankly, but Chuuya knew behind that mask he was sizing him up, noting which foot Chuuya might favour, seeing which muscles Chuuya would flex or adjust, where Chuuya’s eyes would land.

But Chuuya had four years on him now, and he liked his chances. He had been adept at martial arts before Dazai had left, and his training had only progressed in the years since. He regarded Dazai for a moment, his own blue eyes seeing how still he stood, remaining tall as opposed to dropping into any sort of stance as Chuuya did, loosening his knees. Chuuya grinned, then pounced – Dazai, to Chuuya’s infuriation, evaded it easily with a matching grin.

Chuuya cursed his own confidence and turned to look at him, scowling at the smile Dazai shot him; Dazai raised a challenging eyebrow, and Chuuya grinned.

‘Alright.’ He said, and moved again.

They fought like that for a while, both of them watching the other intently, predicting the next move with ease. Despite the frustration of not being able to land a hit, Chuuya found himself enjoying the challenge, appreciating the way Dazai moved and slipped from his grasp at the last moment. Despite the four years in between, it appeared they still knew each other too well, understood the tactics behind their fighting styles too fully, and were able to read them too clearly.

So Chuuya decided to stop thinking and just move – if he did not know what his next move would be, then Dazai could not predict it.

Chuuya looked across to Dazai, his dark hair falling into his face, his lips slightly parted as he breathed deeply from the exertion, his flushed cheeks. Chuuya grinned and took a deep breath, steadying himself.

He lowered himself to centre his gravity and then moved, feinting one way before skipping another and kicking Dazai’s legs out from beneath him – Dazai stumbled then fell, his back hitting the mats with an ‘oof.’

Chuuya stood over him, victorious, his chest heaving and caught the look of genuine surprise on Dazai’s face before he schooled it. A flush of pride ran through Chuuya’s body.

Dazai glared up at him from the floor; Chuuya, feeling like a good sport, offered him a hand to help him up. Dazai rolled his eyes and took it, then pulled, tipping Chuuya off of his feet and into the mat beside him – Chuuya hit the floor and rolled, spinning over his shoulder and flipping onto his back where he jumped back to his feet.

‘Bastard.’ He snapped.

‘Two can play at that.’ Dazai grinned, getting to his own feet and brushing down his thighs.

‘Alright.’ Chuuya nodded, rounding back to his starting position. ‘You wanna play dirty. Again.’

Their next round was messier, less refined and more spontaneous – they were still able to read 90% of each other’s moves, but they landed more hits than the previous rounds.

By the time Chuuya had wrestled Dazai back down to the mat, his back hitting the floor with a satisfying thud, they were both sweating and out of breath – the fight had been unrefined, but it had forced them to move and act in ways their bodies were not used to – Chuuya’s muscles ached in ways they had not in years. Chuuya pinned Dazai then flipped them both until he was above him, grinning down in victory, adrenaline and endorphins coursing through him.

Dazai lay beneath him, his hair fanned back from his sweaty face, cheeks flushed and chest heaving as he drew in unsteady breaths – but his eyes were brighter than Chuuya had seen them in some time. There was a yellow bruise blossoming across his jaw, Chuuya noted, from where he had clocked him yesterday. He reached down and pressed a thumb into it, enjoying the way Dazai squirmed.

‘Chuuya,’ Dazai whined, pouting up at him. ‘You are such a brute.’

‘Yeah, yeah.’ Chuuya grinned down at him, his own red hair spilling from the bun he had pulled it into that morning. He was sat across Dazai’s lap, his legs kneeled either side of his chest and as he caught his breath, he slowly became aware of the position they were in.

Dazai seemed to realise too, as his sparkling eyes dragged down Chuuya’s chest, lingering for a moment on the space he knew the little fish tattoo lived beneath the fabric. His hands moved from where they had been idle on the mat beneath him to Chuuya’s thighs, lightly landing there as he looked back up into Chuuya’s warm face.

Chuuya swallowed; Dazai was quiet and uncharacteristically pliant beneath him, his face flushed and eyes dark, pink lips still slightly parted. His hands seemed to burn on Chuuya’s thighs where they lay, although he didn’t move or apply any pressure, seemingly content to wait for Chuuya. Chuuya found himself willing Dazai to move, to squeeze or run his hands up further, higher…

Chuuya took a shuddering breath and rolled off of Dazai, letting the other man lift his hands out of the way.

He rolled off and sat back on his knees, taking a moment to compose himself before glancing across at Dazai.

Dazai pushed himself onto his elbows and looked back.

The tension rolled between them once more, but now it was charged with a different, hotter energy.

To Dazai’s credit, he did not comment, simply pushed himself until he was sitting and stole Chuuya’s water bottle. Chuuya watched him, his own face warm, and was unsure whether he was grateful or disappointed as his heart beat heavily in his chest, his body warm and on edge.

He had been the one to tell Dazai that nothing could happen between them, but that had been when he was certain Dazai felt nothing more for him than a physical attraction, before Dazai had confessed to how much he had missed him, before he had shown Chuuya that scar…

Did that change things? Chuuya wasn’t sure. It shouldn’t have. Chuuya had always prided himself on being a man of his convictions but once again, Dazai had him doubting.

He pushed himself to his feet and stretched out his sore back and, after a moment, Dazai followed him.

‘Hm, I suppose that was a workout.’ Dazai said haughtily. ‘Not sure I would say I was worn out, though.’

‘Shut up,’ Chuuya scoffed. ‘I kicked your ass.’

‘If you say so.’ Dazai sang, passing Chuuya to head to the door; Chuuya watched him with a smile he couldn’t fight.

--

Dazai had refrained from saying anything to Chuuya once he had removed himself from Dazai’s lap, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t thinking it. Chuuya had made his stance pretty clear, and whilst Dazai knew he could probably manipulate the situation into what he wanted, he had decided not to. Chuuya no longer trusted him, and if Dazai wanted to pursue any kind of relationship with him, he needed to show he was worth trusting. So he had removed his hands and allowed Chuuya to step back, but he let his eyes wander over Chuuya’s broad, sweaty back as he flowed him back to the suite – Chuuya hadn’t told him not to admire him, at least. Dazai wasn’t even sure what it is was he wanted with Chuuya, only that he wanted him in his life and in Dazai’s ideal, selfish world, in his bed… but Chuuya wasn’t interested in that kind of arrangement, and Dazai couldn’t blame him. Their past had been painful, and Chuuya had taken the years between to grow and heal, and Dazai wouldn’t risk destroying all of that for a roll in the sheets.

The ADA really had changed him as a person.

The women were sat together in the room when they returned, and Dazai looked towards them as they greeted them. Chuuya offered his own greeting, pausing to speak with them on his way to his room. Dazai hung back, his eyes lingering on Chuuya’s ass as he leant over the back of one of the sofas.

He looked up and caught Yosano’s eye; she smirked, one eyebrow raising. Dazai pouted.

In avoiding Yosana’s smirk, his eyes wandered towards Atsuko sat beside her. She was smiling across at Chuuya as she listened to him speak, eyes bright and interested, pink lips turned up prettily. She was an attractive woman, slim build, pretty face. Dazai let his eyes wander over her, across her hips and legs to her crossed ankles and wondered how much effort it would take to convince her to come to bed with him – from experience, it did not take much. She would likely be reluctant due to their working relationship, but he was sure if he put in the effort she would be persuaded; he was good at turning on the charm, dialling up the flirtations until women were flustered and eating out of the palm of his hands. And he would always ensure he offered them a good experience for their time.

But it didn’t feel right. He would usually pursue these women with very little concern, taking them at face value and then ghosting them once the fun was over. It was innocent as far as Dazai was concerned, a means to an end, a way to relieve tension and let off some steam. Sure, some of the women would get upset in the days that followed when it became clear he wasn’t interested in anything further, but he never actually promised them any future and they never complained at the time.

Dazai always ensured they had nothing to complain about at the time. As selfish as he knew he was, sex was always better when the other party was just as enthusiastic.

He let his eyes wander over to Higuchi then; she was pretty enough, too. Short blonde hair and sharp eyes. She clearly wasn’t Dazai’s biggest fan, but Dazai had never shied away from a challenge. He was sure with some effort she would come around to the idea, a little charm, a little sweet talk. She would likely feel guilt due to their conflicting organisations, which would likely manifest itself as anger or frustration that those pretty hands or teeth could take out on him. It sounded like a great way to let off some steam, and perhaps it would be good for both of them.

Higuchi, Dazai knew, was pretty infatuated with Akutugawa, but perhaps Dazai would be doing her a favour by showing her she could have a good time elsewhere. After all, wasn’t that what he was seeking out himself…?

Dazai pursed his lips; the thrill he had been seeking wasn’t there. Whilst he was sure he would find a good time with either of them, the idea of bedding either Atsuko or Higuchi didn’t do anything for him, and he knew it wouldn’t satisfy the burn beneath his skin. It wasn’t just any warm body he was craving, but a certain one.

Chuuya stood back up straight and stretched out his back, grimacing as it cracked. Dazai glanced towards him as he stretched his arms out across his chest, the lightly toned muscles of his arms pulled taught across his fuller pecs, visible in the tight gym t-shirt he wore. There was the thrill Dazai sought. There was the roll of attraction in his chest, the pull of want in his gut. He wanted to drag Chuuya into his bedroom and peel those sweaty gym clothes from his taught body, run his tongue across his toned abs and taste the salt. He wanted to test the limits of his renowned flexibility, push his legs up past his ears and fuck him into the mattress, feel his hot body against his own, sweat on sweat, wrap his lips around his –

‘Dazai?’

Dazai looked up, surprised.

Yosano had gotten up from her seat and was standing in front of him, hands on her hips.

‘Yes?’ Dazai asked, ashamedly a little breathless.

Yosano gestured for him to follow her away from the sofas, which he begrudgingly did.

‘Don’t even think about it.’ She said as they reached his bedroom door.

‘What?’ Dazai asked, confused. He could feel the heat in his face and hoped she had not picked up on it.

‘I have spent far too many Agency nights out with you.’ Yosano said with a dramatic roll of her eyes. ‘I know that look in your eyes. Don’t even think about seducing Atsuko or Higuchi.’

Dazai paused, his eyes wide, before he began to laugh. Yosano glared at him as he bent down to grasp his knees, laughing so hard his chest hurt.

Yosano waited.

‘Ah, dear doctor, what a keen eye you have.’ Dazai breathed once his laughter subsided, straightening and wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

‘I don’t have to be the world’s greatest detective to know you’re a menace.’ Yosano said, her eyes narrowed. ‘I saw you sizing them up.’

‘I considered it.’ Dazai shrugged, opting for honesty for once. After all, Yosano already had his number. ‘But I already decided against it.’

In the background, Chuuya laughed loudly in his typical raucous way, and Dazai glanced back towards him.

Yosano watched him with narrowed eyes. Dazai looked back to her, face open; she sighed.

‘That mess is your own.’ She said, hands firmly on her hips. ‘All I ask is that you don’t drag anyone else in to it.’

‘I would never.’ Dazai said sweetly, although he supposed, technically, he had been considering doing just that only moments ago.

Yosano raised a brow at him; somehow, she had read his mind. He chuckled.

‘You not going to warn me off of seducing Chuuya?’ He asked innocently, head tilted to one side to match the light mocking lilt to his tone.

‘I’m not getting involved with that.’ Yosano said with a slight grimace. ‘Just don’t sleep with someone else because the person you want to sleep with is unavailable. Especially not whilst we’re all living together. It’s messy as hell.’

Dazai rolled his eyes.

‘Okay, doctor.’ He said flatly.

Yosano pulled a face and leant forward to prod one gloved finger harshly against his forehead.

‘I mean it.’ She said seriously. ‘Use your brain. If you fuck Higuchi you’ll destroy any chance you have with Chuuya, and if you fuck Atsuko you jeopardise this mission. Not to mention it is a serious breach of contract.’

‘Yosano.’ Dazai said seriously, swatting her away before rubbing at where she had harshly prodded. ‘It’s fine. I wasn’t going to.’

Yosano raised her eyebrows.

‘I swear!’ He laughed, slightly incredulous. ‘I decided they’re not my type.’

Yosano glared at him; he smiled and tapped his chin thoughtfully, enjoying her dark scowl.

‘Although,’ he said slowly, drawing out the word, ‘is it actually specified in the contracts not to sleep with the clients?’

‘Dazai!’ Yosano snapped, smacking his arm.

Dazai laughed, ducking out of her reach.

‘I’m joking.’ He sighed. ‘I’m an upstanding professional…’

Yosano flicked her hair back with a glare and Dazai grinned, letting his eyes drop down to her chest then slowly rake down the rest of her body in an exaggerated manner he knew she would detest.

‘Now that’s an idea…’ he said, licking his lips. ‘Perhaps you and I could let off some steam together… no strings attached, no feelings involved. Just two friends helping one another out. No contract against sleeping with your co-workers.’

Yosano slapped him.

Dazai stepped back with a grin, his hand coming up to cradle his smarting cheek.

‘You are a piece of shit.’ She said sternly. ‘Even if I wasn’t a lesbian, I wouldn’t touch your lanky ass.’

‘Oh, come on.’ Dazai grinned even as his eyes watered from her slap. ‘I’ll make it worth your while.’

‘I’d rather die.’ Yosano hissed.

‘Harsh.’ Dazai nodded.

‘Push your luck any more and I’ll bring out my surgical kit and leave you bleeding out.’ Yosano said, her grin sharp and unfriendly.

Dazai’s smile faded.

‘Fair enough.’ He gulped.

Yosano gave him one final stern look before she stormed off, leaving Dazai to appreciate her from behind before he disappeared to take a cold shower.

--

Chuuya spotted Dazai’s red cheek as soon as he re-entered the lounge.

He grinned from atop his coffee mug as Dazai approached him in the kitchen, hair damp from his shower and cheek flushed prettily.

‘Ouch.’ Chuuya grinned, eyeing the flush of his cheek above the darkening bruise on his jaw. ‘Someone’s in the wars, lately.’

‘Shut up.’ Dazai grumbled.

‘What did you do to upset the doctor?’ Chuuya asked, his blue eyes following him as he searched through the kitchen cupboards.

Dazai turned to look at him, not appreciating the evident glee at his own misfortune.

‘You saw that then, huh?’

‘Yup.’ Chuuya grinned haughtily, and far too smug. ‘Glad to know it’s not just me you piss off.’

‘I only offered her my services.’ Dazai shrugged as he found the sake Yosano had attempted to hide at the back of one of the cabinets.

‘In what?’ Chuuya asked, eyes narrowed.

Dazai grinned.

‘Well, Chuuya, seeing as you won’t join me in bed I wondered whether perhaps Yosano would.’

Chuuya’s eyes widened and he put his mug down with a clank, staring across the small kitchen in disbelief.

‘You didn’t.’

‘You expect me to roll around on the mats with you and not get flustered?’ Dazai asked seriously, enjoying the blush that crept into Chuuya’s surprised face. ‘I just thought Yosano might help me out. I promised to make it worth her while.’

‘You’re joking.’

Dazai grinned at the other man.

‘Nope.’ He smiled.

‘You piece of shit.’ Chuuya said.

‘Yeah, that’s what she said.’ Dazai lamented.

‘Are you – I mean – would you?’ Chuuya stammered, his face in open surprise.

Dazai regarded him for a moment, then shrugged.

‘Wow.’ Chuuya said, turning back to his drink, his cheeks flushed and his brow furrowed. ‘I’m such an idiot.’

Dazai watched him for a moment, noticing the crease of his brow and the downturn of his lips; he sighed and sidled up to him, nudging him in the shoulder with his arm.

‘I was only playing.’ He said softly. ‘Of course I wouldn’t. She knew I was joking but I suppose the slap was still deserved. Definitely one she owed me, anyway.’

Chuuya looked up at him, his blue eyes flitting between Dazai’s and Dazai felt his heart pull. He still didn’t look entirely convinced, and Dazai couldn’t really blame him.

‘Don’t worry, Chuuya.’ He said, leaning down and lowering his voice. ‘Her mark will fade long before yours. It was barely a love tap. You pack a much harder punch.’

Despite himself, Chuuya grinned at that, the dejection fading from his eyes as a nasty, crooked smile appeared across his lips. He reached out to stroke across Dazai’s smarting cheek before pausing to rub his thumb once more into the bruise just below. Dazai winced slightly, which only seemed to cheer Chuuya along further.

‘Hm.’ Chuuya hummed, eyes sparkling.

Dazai leant into his touch, the subtle smell of the leather of Chuuya’s gloves strangely intoxicating as his eyes dipped to Chuuya’s lips, admiring the curve of his smile, the moisture of his tongue behind his surprisingly white teeth.

Chuuya admired the bruise he had knocked into Dazai’s pale skin, appreciating the way the blood pooled beneath as proof of Chuuya’s strength, of Chuuya’s frustration, of Chuuya’s touch. Dazai was right – the red of Yosano’s slap would fade quickly, but the bruise along his jaw would only darken with time. It gave Chuuya a misjudged sense of pride.

He imagined Dazai laid out across the stark white sheets in his hotel bed as he pressed more bruises into that pale, pliant skin. He envisioned his dark gloves wrapped tight around that pale throat, the feel of Dazai’s breath stuttering and hiccupping beneath him, timed with a few good slaps, several pinches, maybe even some bruises drawn to the surface by his mouth, teeth marks scraping around the edges. He saw himself unwrapping Dazai’s bandages like a present and replacing all of that white with shades of reds and purples. 

He swallowed heavily, his heart beating hard in his chest and looked up to capture Dazai’s eyes. Dazai was looking back at him, his lips ajar, a pleasing flush of pink spread across his cheeks until the red from the slap was camouflaged.

His hand spread to wind around Dazai’s jaw, his gloves creaking as his grip tightened. Dazai swallowed heavily beneath it, his eyes darkening. He stepped closer, his chest almost pressed to Chuuya’s. Chuuya breathed in heavily, tasting the scent of Dazai’s shampoo, the light waft of whatever soap he had used and a fragrance he recognised as the same aftershave Dazai had worn during his mafia days. It made his stomach churn with desire and flip with unease.

God, he wanted to close that gap. Wanted to bite down on Dazai’s pink lips, draw sweet noises from him, taste his tongue with his own.

Dazai’s eyes said the same, his tongue darting out to lick across his lower lip as he envisioned drawing Chuuya in close, tasting the nicotine he knew would be on his tongue.

The air between them buzzed and warped, charging hot and static and desperate. Dazai reached out and placed a hot hand on Chuuya’s waist, enjoying the flutter of Chuuya’s eyelashes at the touch. He wanted to pull him close, let him feel the growing tension in his groin, hold him there until it was obvious.

But then Chuuya’s phone began to ring.

He blinked, frowned, then shook his head. He swallowed the lump in his throat and stepped back, Dazai’s hands dropping from his waist as Dazai took a step back too, shaking his own head subtly.

With shaking hands, Chuuya pulled his phone from his pocket and stared at it for a minute.

Dazai peered over to see Mori’s name on the screen; he sighed.

‘You better answer that.’ He said flatly.

Chuuya looked up at him, his face still flushed and eyes glossy. Dazai smiled and Chuuya shook his head.

‘Y – yeah.’ He stammered. ‘Uh, yeah.’

He looked at Dazai once more then swiftly left the kitchen, answering the call as he headed for his room.

Dazai sighed heavily and leant down onto the countertop, head dropped, his heart pounding. The room was too small, too hot, and his head was spinning.

His own phone began to ring from somewhere within his coat and he sighed, taking a moment to close his eyes and steady his breathing.

Back to business, it seemed.

—

The incident with the gem was the confirmation their respective bosses had needed to confirm that it was time for the task force to move, so that afternoon whilst those in the hotel adjusted and moved on from the event, the Black Lizards along with Atsuhi, Akutugawa, Kunikida and Tanizaki, made their move.

It was Atsushi and Akutugawa who led the attack, working together in tandem to infiltrate the base and take down anyone who intervened – however, as they approached, it soon became clear that Tsutsui had anticipated their arrival.

They were met with a small militia that had been left behind at the base; the newest iteration of Double Black squared up ready to fight… but something was wrong. The men regarded the threat with apathy, raising their guns to shoot as though the instruments were heavy, their arms sluggish; their faces were blank, and as Akutugawa skewered several with Rashomon, they barely blinked. There were not the screams of pain or fear that Rashomon usually elicited, and it threw Akutugawa.

He spared a glance to Atsushi, who had paused in his own attack, thrown off by the lack of aggression or fear in his opponents. It was uncanny, and it felt a little wrong to be taking down opponents who were clearly not in the fight, but they still had a job to do.

In the suite, Higuchi’s earpiece buzzed to life.

‘Akutugawa and the were-tiger have taken out the threat.’ Hirotsu informed her. ‘But it looks like Tsutsui has already moved on. We’re going in to search the base, but I doubt we will find anything of use.’

‘I see.’ Higuchi replied, looking across from where she was sat on one of the sofas to Chuuya. ‘Thank you for the update.’

Hirotsu confirmed then cut the contact.

‘He knew we were coming.’ Chuuya said, sitting forward to lean his elbows on his knees and rest his chin in his hands – all six of them had gathered together in the lounge once the infiltration had begun just twenty minutes ago. Chuuya had been on edge ever since taking the call from Mori, uneasy at there being a fight he wasn’t part of, his blood burning hot and agitated in his veins whilst his ability screamed to be let loose.

‘They found opposition, though.’ Yosano said, glancing to Dazai, who was laying full length on one of the sofas. His mood had altered since his own phone call from Fukuzawa, but instead of an energetic tension, he had laid himself out on the sofa and remained there as the rest of them gathered around him. He was quiet and withdrawn, his expression void of any clear emotion.

‘Yes. But it was over quickly.’ Higuchi replied with a slight frown.

‘Far too quickly.’ Chuuya agreed. ‘Even for Akutugawa and the were-tiger.’

Hirotsu checked back in an hour later to confirm their initial suspicions – the base that Tsutsui had been working from was wiped clean, with nothing of use to glean. It was a frustrating set back.

Chuuya glanced to Dazai as he lay out on the sofa, but the other man said nothing, simply gazed up at the high ceilings above him with his hands resting idly on his stomach.

Evening rolled around and with nothing more they could do, they made and ate dinner together, bar Dazai, who had not moved from the sofa.

Yosano handed Chuuya a bowl of soup once everything was cleared away; Chuuya looked up at her, confused, as he had already eaten, but she just gestured with a nod of her head for him to take it to Dazai.

Chuuya opened his mouth to complain – since when was he Dazai’s servant? – but she looked so sincere that he just closed it again and sighed. He got up from the table with a grumble and took the bowl over to the sofa, ignoring the look Ranpo gave him.

He stopped in front of Dazai and held out the bowl; Dazai did at least turn his head to acknowledge him.

‘Here.’ Chuuya said stiffly. ‘Eat.’

Dazai just raised a single brow.

‘Eat.’ Chuuya said, forcing a smile. ‘Or I throw it across your face.’

‘Wow,’ Dazia grumbled, forcing himself to a sitting position and turning to face Chuuya. ‘Such grace.’

‘Yosano made it.’ Chuuya said instead. ‘She wants you to eat it.’

‘She can ask me herself.’ Dazai replied.

‘I am asking you.’ Chuuya snapped, thrusting the bowl back out towards the infuriating man on the sofa and using Tainted to ensure it didn’t slosh over the side in his haste. ‘Eat it.’

‘Perhaps Chuuya could ask nicely…’ Dazai said, but relented under Chuuya’s glare; he took the bowl from Chuuya’s hands and sat forward, glancing at the soup within.

Chuuya sighed and sat down beside him.

Dazai regarded him for a moment, his face wary and his eyes narrowed, but when Chuuya made no effort to speak to him, he seemed to relax. Chuuya leant his head back against the back of the sofa and closed his eyes, content to just relax for a moment; beside him, he heard Dazai begin to eat and had to hold down his smile. If Dazai thought Chuuya had got what he wanted, there was no certainty that he wouldn’t throw the bowl across the room just to spite.

They sat together in companiable silence whilst Dazai ate, and when Chuuya heard him put the bowl down, he was pleased to note it was empty. He closed his eyes again and sat back still, allowing Dazai the chance to speak if he wanted. Chuuya knew he had been working through things in his head all day and, as always, would only share them if he wanted to.

‘It was a power play.’

Chuuya opened his eyes and looked towards the other man, his skin soft and glowing in the low lights of the room, the quiet chatter of the others as they cleared up the kitchen a manageable background buzz.

‘What do you mean?’ He asked quietly.

‘Tsutsui left behind a group of expendable men to prove a point. To show us he knew we were coming.’ Dazai said.

‘Yeah.’ Chuuya agreed with a sigh. ‘That seems likely.’

‘Why bother?’ Dazai asked.

‘They were no match for them.’ Chuuya replied with a shrug.

‘None at all.’ Dazai agreed. ‘Was that because he only left a few? If so, it seems completely pointless.’

‘We’re missing something.’ Chuuya said.

‘We are.’ Dazai nodded, turning at last to face Chuuya, his dark eyes combing across Chuuya’s face in a way that had Chuuya feeling vulnerable. ‘Someone will check in with us tomorrow.’

‘But it’s bugging you.’ Chuuya said, his mouth quirking up into a grin despite himself. ‘Not knowing for sure.’

‘It’s not bugging me.’ Dazai said defiantly, his own mouth twisting down.

‘You’re out of the loop.’ Chuuya grinned. ‘You’re stuck here with us and you’re out of the loop.’

‘And you were out of the fight.’ Dazai shot back petulantly. ‘Stuck here with us and not allowed to join the fight.’

‘Aren’t we two sorry souls.’ Chuuya said with a laugh, even if the quip did sting.

Dazai laughed back softly, shaking his head before letting it fall down against the sofa. He knew that part of him had been vying for a fight in an attempt to feel something he understood well, yet Chuuya hadn’t bitten. In fact, somehow, Chuuya had managed to lighten the dark mood he had been in all afternoon, and allow him to feel significantly better. They remained side by side for the rest of the evening, enough space between them so as not to be weird, but Dazai could still feel Chuuya’s warmth, comforted by his presence. It gave him the grace to think things over without spiralling, and any time he got too frustrated he would focus on Chuuya’s light breathing beside him.

Dazai didn’t know if Chuuya did it on purpose, or whether he was just comfortable beside him, scrolling idly through his phone in the quiet whilst the others came and went.

They stayed in place on the sofa as everyone else filtered out to sleep – eventually, Chuuya yawned and got up to retire. He looked down at Dazai once he was standing, his face soft despite the light frown, and Dazai tensed, waiting for the reprimand.

‘Don’t sit up all night driving yourself crazy.’ He simply said instead.

Dazai smiled up at him, oddly grateful.

‘I won’t.’ He lied.

--

The following morning, Kunikida returned to the hotel to give a thorough rundown of the mission. Everyone would have liked to have heard it first hand from Akutugawa or Atsushi, but as they had been selected as the members to follow them on outings, it was deemed too risky to have them seen entering the hotel. Higuchi had looked crest fallen when she discovered Akutugawa would not be visiting, though Dazai had sighed a breath of relief.

Kunikida was as brisk and formal as always as he followed Yosano into the hotel once again; he sat at the head of the table and accepted a drink before delving into the debrief. He confirmed that he had been on site for yesterday’s mission but had only entered the building once the Black Lizards had cleared it. He verified that there was nothing left behind, and both organizations had done a thorough sweep of the building and surroundings.

‘Perhaps Ranpo ought to take a look.’ Yosano said; she was sat adjacent to Kunikida just as she had been last time, her elbows leant forward on the table as she listened. Her eyes were sharp, but she wore a concerned frown as Kunikida advised that the mission, essentially, had been a bust. ‘See if he can pick anything up.’

Ranpo, sat at the opposite end of the table to Kunikida, did not respond, simply content to continue to munch through a bag of sweets.

‘I don’t think it’s worth it.’ Dazai said with a dismissive wave from where he sat beside her, leaning back casually in his own chair. ‘They cleared out.’

‘I can attest to that.’ Kunikida agreed. ‘We found nothing that would be of any value or help to Ranpo. And I don’t think the President would agree to Ranpo leaving the hotel on such a small possibility.’

Yosano nodded reluctantly, folding her hands beneath her chin.

‘The thing that is stumping us all the most, however, was the men that were left behind. They didn’t seem to be defending anything, so leaving them there seemed like a strange choice.’ Kunikida said seriously, adjusting his glasses.

Chuuya, sat opposite Yosano, glanced across to Dazai who for all his expression appeared completely uninterested, but his dark eyes caught Chuuya’s. He raised his eyebrows a fraction and Chuuya smiled.

‘A power play.’ He said, noting the subtle uptick of Dazai’s mouth.

‘Excuse me?’ Kunikida asked.

‘Tsutsui wanted us to know we had found the right place, but that we were just out of time. There was no other reason for them to be there.’ Chuuya said. ‘He’s taunting us.’

‘Well.’ Dazai said, picking at the nails on one hand. ‘Not no other reason.’

‘The men they left behind… I did not see it as clearly for myself as I was not in the fray of the fight, but I caught some through my binoculars.’ Kunikida said stiffly as he frowned down the table at his colleagues. ‘And Atsushi confirmed it. They were not right.’

‘How so?’ Yosano asked, tilting her head against her hands.

‘They appeared unbothered by the fight. They fought with little to no conviction, and fell without any struggle.’ He answered. ‘I wondered if they had been forced into servitude, and so their hearts were not truly in it, but they showed no fear at encroaching death. None of them dropped their weapons or pleaded for their lives, it was like they just…accepted it.’

Dazai looked up now and caught Chuuya’s gaze once more; Chuuya frowned down at him, waiting.

‘Kōsaku.’ Dazai said, ignoring Kunikida’s ‘what?’

Chuuya rubbed his chin with his gloved hand – it made sense. Dazai was asking him as much as he was telling him – he had come most way to the conclusion, but needed Chuuya’s confirmation to be sure.

‘I would say so.’ Chuuya nodded slowly. ‘I only have a very small window of experience but… yeah. It checks out to me. Atsuko?’

Atsuko, who was sat beside Higuchi with a hot mug of tea between her hands, looked surprised to have been brought directly into the conversation. She bit her lip, then nodded.

‘Yes.’ She said, her eyebrows slanting in concern. ‘It sounds familiar. But… my brother was not there.’

‘No.’ Dazai agreed, looking back to Kunikida, who was following each of them with a frown.

‘No, no-one spotted anyone of Atsuko’s brother’s description.’ He confirmed. ‘Are you suggesting that this could have been the work of his ability?’

‘It sounds like it.’ Chuuya said.

‘From your brief encounter with it.’ Kunikida said, his serious eyes locked on Chuuya. ‘You believe you may have acted in a similar fashion whilst under the influence, Nakahara?’

‘Personally, I don’t think the ability itself would force me to do something I had no original conviction in doing.’ Chuuya said slowly as he thought it through. ‘But if I had always intended to, then I think I would still be capable just…unbothered.’

Atsuko nodded her agreement with Chuuya’s assessment.

‘But you have the gem, don’t you?’ Kunikida asked Dazai.

‘I have the necklace.’ Dazai agreed with a flat smile. ‘Do you suppose Tsutsui would hand over his biggest asset just like that?’

‘Hm.’ Kunikida frowned. ‘No.’

‘No.’ Dazai agreed. ‘I now believe the necklace was as much a test of power as an attempt to lure back Atsuko. My guess is that they have managed to break off pieces of the original gem and clearly, it still works. Which poses a new threat to us.’

‘How many pieces has it been broken in to.’ Yosano said slowly.

‘Precisely.’ Dazai smiled. ‘Broken pieces given out to more people, more amplified abilities. It is likely that the power is subdued, but it’s a swap for more uses. It seems risky but apparently, it has worked. Chuuya, do you know the size of the original gem?’

‘No,’ Chuuya frowned. ‘But Mori must have. I can find out.’

‘Good. Do.’ Dazai nodded. ‘Kōsaku must have been close by in order for the gem to still be in action. We know from Atsuko’s ability with the gem that the influence stopped before the gym, so we should be able to work out whether Kōsaku’s piece was of similar size, and if so, whether Tsutsui intends to continue to break off smaller chunks.’

Chuuya nodded.

Kunikida had been looking between the two of them as they talked, his face pinched as if waiting for the fight that would inevitably break out.

‘If we’re done here, I’ll get to it.’ Chuuya said.

‘I think so.’ Dazai replied, sitting back in his chair and throwing a glance to Kunikida.

‘Uh, yes, I suppose so.’ Kunikida frowned. ‘We will double the efforts to find Kōsaku, and try to locate Tsutsui’s new location.’

‘Excellent.’ Dazai smiled. ‘Until then, we will stay here and keep an eye on Atsuko.’

Atsuo bowed her head softly in thanks.

Chuuya nodded then pushed away from the table, offering Kunikida a quick nod as a goodbye.

‘Ah, Chuuya –’ Dazai called before Chuuya could leave; he turned to look across at the other man. ‘Will you have Kouyou update her girls? We could use their eyes on the streets, and, potentially, in their sheets, too.’

Chuuya rolled his eyes at the phrasing but nodded, his lips quirked into a slight smile; Dazai smiled after him, then let his eyes follow him as he left the room.

Kunikida cleared his throat.

Dazai turned to look at him, eyebrows raised.

‘I see yourself and Nakahara are getting along better.’ He said.

‘Oh,’ Dazai smiled lightly. ‘Do you?’

‘Well.’ Kunikida said. ‘He hasn’t threatened to kill you once whilst I’ve been here.’

‘Ah,’ Dazai grinned. ‘Some time in my company has mellowed him out.’

‘I highly doubt that.’ Kunikida huffed.

Ranpo stood from the table and yawned loudly, stretching his arms over his head before levelling his gaze at Kunikida.

‘Observant as ever, Kunikida.’ He smiled, all teeth. ‘Dazai and Nakahara are getting along much better these days.’

Dazai shot the other detective a glare as Yosano sniggered into her drink, but Kunikida just nodded as he straightened his glasses.

‘Good.’ He said. ‘I’ll return to the agency and get to work. We will try to wrap this up quickly. I assume you are all eager to get back to your lives – yourself included, Miss Atsuko.’

Atsuko smiled and nodded as they all began to vacate the unofficial meeting table, and soon Kunikida took his leave, not one to overstay his welcome or disrupt his schedule.

--

It was early afternoon, and once Chuuya had checked in with both Mori and Kouyou, he had ventured out to the lounge to grab something to eat for lunch. The days were strange and seemingly unending within the hotel suite, but he was trying to keep on top of things like nutrition and health. Working out every morning was at least one way of keeping both his body and mind occupied whilst stuck inside, and a good way of keeping track of the passing time.

‘Dazai isn’t sleeping.’

Chuuya looked up to see Ranpo stood across from him at the other side of the table; Chuuya had been casually scrolling through his phone as he waited for his food to cool and Ranpo had managed to take him by surprise.

‘What?’ He frowned.

‘Dazai.’ Ranpo said, sitting down in the seat opposite Chuuya and fixing him with an unwavering look. ‘He was at least pretending at first, but he hasn’t even come to the bedroom the last couple of nights.’

Chuuya involuntarily pulled a face – Ranpo sounded like a jilted partner, lamenting the lack of their lover coming to bed; he shook his head.

‘He rarely sleeps.’ He said instead, shrugging off Ranpo’s words.

‘I know.’ Ranpo frowned. ‘But now he’s not even trying.’

‘Why are you telling me this?’ Chuuya asked as he sat back in his seat, already knowing he was about to regret asking, but it was clear Ranpo wasn’t about to drop this and go away. He glanced sideways at his food.

‘I’m looking out for my friend.’ Ranpo said simply.

Chuuya raised both his eyebrows in question and Ranpo rolled his eyes like speaking to Chuuya was mentally exhausting for him.

‘You can get him to sleep.’

‘Me?’ Chuuya laughed, surprised. ‘What, rock him like a baby? Sing to him?’

‘He does what you tell him to.’ Ranpo shrugged.

‘I assure you he does not.’ Chuuya laughed genuinely.

‘Alright well.’ Ranpo said in a way that suggested he did not believe a word Chuuya said but was fed up of talking with him. ‘The information is out there. Do with it what you will.’

Chuuya sighed as he watched Ranpo stroll off into the lounge.

--

Evening was drawing in, and Dazai was sitting on a footstool, gazing out of the large window from the suite that looked out over the city below; it was a quiet, grey day, and he could just make out the few people milling around the streets beyond, little dots amongst the buildings. Somewhere out there was Tsutsui, smugly setting up a new base of operations despite the loss of what was likely several of his men. Dazai felt if he sat for long enough, looked out for long enough, that he might decipher the code, figure out the plan, see just where Tsutsui had taken up his new residence.

He was so lost in his own thoughts that he neither saw nor heard Chuuya approach, nor did he hear him call his name.

‘Oi!’ Chuuya snapped, kicking at Dazai’s shin.

Dazai jumped, looking up at Chuuya in surprise.

‘Ow,’ He pouted. ‘What was that for?’

‘Had to get your attention somehow.’ Chuuya shrugged.

‘You couldn’t just speak to me?’ Dazai frowned, rubbing at his shin through his trouser leg.

‘I did.’ Chuuya deadpanned. ‘You ignored me.’

‘Oh.’ Dazai said.

‘Anyway.’ Chuuya sighed, glancing to the sofa where Higuchi was sitting. ‘Can you come with me for a moment?’

‘What for?’ Dazai frowned – it was strange, Chuuya standing above Dazai as he sat low on the footstool, his long legs bent awkwardly to accommodate him. Chuuya wasn’t used to looking down at Dazai from this angle.

‘I want to talk to you.’ Chuuya shrugged.

‘About what?’ Dazai asked.

Chuuya sighed heavily and kicked at Dazai’s shin again.

‘Come with me and you can find out.’ He said.

Dazai pouted dramatically, flinching away to rub at his shin once more.

‘Such a brute.’ He grumbled, but he did pull himself up to standing, regaining his height advantage over Chuuya. Chuuya just rolled his eyes as he led Dazai through the suite – Higuchi glanced up as they passed, but Chuuya ignored her.

After Ranpo had left him to his lunch, Chuuya had ruminated on his words; he knew Dazai wasn’t sleeping – he was often there in the mornings when Chuuya left his room for the gym. But even without that clear evidence, it was becoming obvious in Dazai’s appearance – the swollen eyes, the slouch. For all his secrecy, Dazai was a man who preferred to keep up appearances, which was likely why the ADA did not worry about him quite so much. It was likely they had no real idea just how bad most of his habits were – he seemed to have been doing a good job of keeping most of them from them. But as the days within this hotel were wearing on, his enthusiasm for disguise was waning enough that spots of truth were starting to leak through. Ranpo had clearly noticed it, and Yosano with her soup the previous night was further proof.

Despite the fact that they were Dazai’s colleagues now, they were still using Chuuya as a go between. It should have irritated Chuuya more than it did and maybe a few days ago it would have… but after Ranpo had left, and Chuuya had eaten his lunch, he had begun to think. That afternoon he had called down to reception and asked if he could have the key to the other suite on the top floor – it wasn’t hard to procure, seeing as they were currently paying for the entire top floor anyway. He had it now in his back pocket as he led Dazai across the suite, pointedly ignoring the others within in. He had told Yosano his plan – he felt more comfortable speaking with her than Ranpo – and he didn’t need to tell the whole team his damn business – besides, he was doing this as a favour to the ADA, so the least they could do was to be discreet. Not that there was anything to be discreet about… he scowled as he opened the door to the hallway beyond their room, his cheeks warm.

Dazai hummed as he followed, eyes narrowing a little as Chuuya led them away from the elevator doors and instead to one of the other rooms along the hallway. Chuuya pointedly ignored the grunt currently on security at the elevator and paused at the door to one of the other suites, fishing out the keycard from his back pocket. Dazai watched with interest as the door clicked open and Chuuya pushed it inwards.

‘Why does Chuuya have a key to another suite?’ Dazai asked as he followed Chuuya through the door and into the other suite – it was similar to the one they had grown to call home, if a little smaller. This one, it seemed, only had two rooms, and the large windows at the very back looked out over the other side of the city. In the far distance, Dazai could see the imposing Mafia Towers, as well as the Ferris wheel of the harbour.

Chuuya didn’t answer, instead headed for the master bedroom – Dazai followed eagerly.

‘My, my, Chuuya.’ He grinned as Chuuya gestured for him to go in ahead of him. ‘Is this what I think it is?’

‘Almost certainly not.’ Chuuya said.

Dazai wandered over to the double bed and sat down on the edge of it, looking across as Chuuya expectantly, one hand stroking softly over the quilt. And oh, how easy it would have been for Chuuya to simply follow…

Instead, he stayed where he was and crossed his arms firmly over his chest.

‘Your colleagues are worried about you.’ He said. ‘You’re not sleeping.’

Dazai’s playful smile fell instantly, replaced by a scowl that darkened his face.

‘What do you mean.’ He said flatly.

‘Ranpo has noticed you are never going to bed.’ Chuuya said. ‘And I have noticed that you’re spacing out.’

‘Have you.’ Dazai said.

‘Yes.’ Chuuya said. ‘You’re functioning on barely any sleep and it’s starting to affect you. You can’t continue on like it. We are going to need you, probably soon, and we can’t rely on you if your brain isn’t firing correctly.’

‘My brain is working just fine.’ Dazai said sulkily.

‘Dazai.’ Chuuya said seriously. ‘I know you. You won’t sleep in the suite because you feel too vulnerable letting yourself give up control around all those other people. You won’t switch off because you feel you have a job to do. Sleeping makes you feel weak, and useless. But you’ve slept with me. I will stay here, or out in the lounge, and you can get at least one hour of sleep. Or I will stand guard by this door until you do.’

Dazai looked away from Chuuya, his dark eyes glaring down at the white comforter he sat on; now that Chuuya really looked at him, he could see the exhaustion pulling at his features – his already pale skin looked grey and unhealthy, and the bags beneath his eyes were dark and swollen. He was fighting it.

‘It’s not so easy.’ Dazai mumbled. ‘I try to sleep but I just… can’t.’

‘I know.’ Chuuya said. ‘But maybe if you feel safe, you will.’

‘And Chuuya is going to keep me safe?’ Dazai asked sarcastically, looking back up at Chuuya with clear challenge in his defiant eyes.

But Chuuya refused to back down – he had made a decision, set it into motion, and he was not about to admit defeat now.

‘Yep.’ He nodded firmly. ‘Lovecraft could stroll through that door and you wouldn’t even stir. I’ve got it.’

Dazai smiled softly; Chuuya just looked at him.

With a sigh, Dazai crawled backwards up the bed until he was laying on it fully, his head nestled on the pillows.

‘Does sleep come easy to you, Chuuya?’ He asked the ceiling.

‘No.’ Chuuya shrugged. ‘Some nights I lay awake for hours, but it usually does come eventually.’

‘Do you have many thoughts to turn over in that tiny brain of yours?’ Dazai asked.

‘Alright.’ Chuuya said. ‘I’ll be in the lounge.’

‘Wait –’ Dazai said, sitting up and looking at Chuuya.

Chuuya turned to look at him, one eyebrow raised.

‘Can you stay?’ Dazai asked quietly.

Chuuya frowned, but there was no play in Dazai’s face, just an earnest want for once; Chuuya sighed. Knowing it was probably a bad idea, he nodded.

‘Alright.’ He said.

Dazai smiled as Chuuya walked around to the other side of the bed; he watched Dazai watch him as he kicked off his shoes, then climbed onto the bed beside Dazai; Dazai rolled onto his side to face him.

‘Don’t start yapping.’ Chuuya said instantly, settling onto his back. ‘You’re here to sleep.’

‘I can’t even look at you?’ Dazai grinned, and Chuuya could sense the teasing grin even as he fought not to look at him.

But Chuuya couldn’t help the smile that broke on his face, although he kept his eyes on the ceiling above them, tracing the patterns of the plaster around the light fixture.

‘No.’ He said. ‘Close your eyes.’

‘Ah, Chuuya, so mean.’ Dazai sighed, but Chuuya heard and felt him shift more comfortably beside him. ‘There’s too much to think about to sleep.’

‘Then stop thinking about it.’ Chuuya said.

‘Oh.’ Dazai said flatly. ‘Why didn’t I ever think of that? Years of insomnia, cured.’

‘Shut up.’ Chuuya sighed.

Dazai giggled but he did settle down again, nuzzling his face into the soft pillow beneath him. He could feel the warmth from Chuuya beside him, could faintly smell the scent of his shampoo, his aftershave. It was heady and expensive, luxurious just like everything Chuuya put on his body now that he had the money and the choice. Dazai closed his eyes and let himself bask in those sensations instead, listening to the soft breathing of the man beside him, the occasional scrunch of the quilt they were both laying on.

‘Chuuya.’ Dazai said after a while, smiling as he heard Chuuya audibly sigh. ‘I think I would be more comfortable beneath the blanket.’

‘Alright.’ Chuuya frowned. ‘Fine.’

‘But Chuuya has to be under the blanket too.’ Dazai said.

Chuuya turned to face him then, regretting it instantly as he came face to face with shining dark eyes and a challenging grin.

‘You’re pushing your luck.’ He said.

‘If I don’t fall asleep, you will be letting Ranpo down.’ Dazai said seriously, his dark eyebrows slanted in mock concern.

‘Fuck sake –’ Chuuya growled, but he sat up to pull the blanket up so that he could wriggle beneath it – Dazai watched him with prideful glee, then copied him until they were both laying in the bed beneath the warm, thick blankets.

‘Aren’t you cosy now, Chuuya?’ Dazai asked sweetly.

‘I am going to kick your ass.’ Chuuya snapped, rolling onto his side.

‘Okay.’ Dazai beamed across at him, barely a hands width between their faces. Chuuya’s eyes dragged down to Dazai’s mouth and he had to squeeze them shut, berating himself.

‘Chuuya,’ Dazai said softly, his voice quiet now, so close Chuuya could just feel the ghost of it across his face.

Chuuya took a moment to compose himself then opened his eyes.

‘What?’ Chuuya asked.

‘I think it’s probably best if I hold you.’ Dazai said, his brow furrowed into a serious frown. ‘This bed is very big, and I would hate for your tiny body to get lost beneath the covers and suffocate –’

Chuuya grabbed the pillow he had been laying on and smacked it across Dazai’s face with a shout; Dazai gasped, his laughter choked off by the lack of air to his lungs, his legs kicking and flailing.

Chuuya smacked him several more times before he chucked the pillow aside and glared down at Dazai, who was looking up at him with glittering eyes. That, of course, had only made things worse, for now Dazai’s hair was messed up, fanned around the pillow beneath his head, and his cheeks were red. He was so fucking beautiful Chuuya wanted to suffocate him.

‘This isn’t going to work.’ Chuuya growled. ‘You’re too fucking irritating.’

‘Okay, okay, fine.’ Dazai grinned up at him, raising both hands to show Chuuya his palms. ‘I’ll be quiet. I will go to sleep just – just stay, okay?’

Chuuya glared at him until the heat had gone, and then he sighed heavily and laid back down with a thump. He settled on his back once more and looked pointedly up at the ceiling.

‘This is very weird,’ Dazai said quietly as he once again readjusted his pillows and settled in. ‘But I kind of appreciate it.’

‘Mm.’ Chuuya just hummed.

Dazai grinned at him, taking a moment to appreciate his side profile and the pout of his lips, the tension in his jaw as he glared up at the ceiling as though it had personally offended him. He reached out across them and ran a finger along Chuuya’s jaw, grinning as the other man jumped.

‘I wasn’t mocking you.’ He said as Chuuya tilted his head to look at him, his red hair spilling over the pillow in stark contrast to the white. ‘I do appreciate it.’

Chuuya sighed, but shifted so that he was laying on his side once more, too.

‘For some weird fucking reason,’ he said, eyes flitting between Dazai’s, ‘there are people around you that care for you. So you need to try and take care of yourself.’

Dazai smiled, but Chuuya could tell he didn’t believe him; he could also tell that there was still too much going on in that unique brain of his for him to really shut down. Chuuya chewed his lip for a moment, then reached across and ran his fingers through Dazai’s dark hair – Dazai flinched slightly in surprise, his eyes widening for a second, before he seemingly settled into the touch. He kept his eyes on Chuuya for a time, both of them flicking between Chuuya’s, but eventually his blinks became slower and less frequent.

‘You’re safe.’ Chuuya whispered, gently pushing Dazai’s hair back behind his ear and smoothing the unruly mess down. ‘You can turn off for a while.’

Dazai hummed low in his throat, his eyes slipping shut as he nestled into Chuuya’s touch, his face finally growing slack. Chuuya watched for a while until his breaths became deeper and more drawn out, and his lips parted – with a strange sense of prideful triumph, Chuuya grinned. He had done the impossible – Dazai was asleep.

Dazai, from what Chuuya knew, slept like a cat – always on the edge of waking up. So he kept his soft stroking up until he was sure Dazai was in a deep enough sleep to not just instantly wake back up. He ran strands of his dark hair through his gloved fingers and sighed – how had he ended up here? Days ago, he had thrown a vase at this idiot’s head and professed his hatred, truly believing any time spent alone with Dazai was near enough to actual hell, and now he found himself beneath the covers in a bed stroking his hair… he would feel ridiculous if he didn’t feel so content himself. Dazai infuriated him, drawing out the worst of his actions and emotions, reminding him how it felt to hate and be hated, the single biggest threat to his cortisol levels.

But he felt none of that now – now, he looked across at the sleeping face of his enemy and felt a burst of affection in his chest – not strong and heady and lustful, just quiet and gentle and pure. His heart ached at the sight of Dazai’s peaceful face, and he found himself gently smoothing a thumb across his sore eyes, tracing the gaunt line of his cheeks with concern. Once sleep was conquered, he would have to start working on food.

That affection in his chest swelled into swooping butterflies and Chuuya was suddenly overcome with the urge to cry – he didn’t, of course, swallowing past the lump in his throat and pulling himself together, but he could no longer deny or fight the feelings in his chest.

Dazai had broken his heart years ago, there was no more denying that. Chuuya had tried to see their messy relationship as just a casual fling, but now he could look back and see it for what it really was – Chuuya had been in love with Dazai. It had been slow and steady and had built up over the years, but by the time Dazai had left the Mafia, Chuuya had loved him, and he could acknowledge and accept that now because as he lay in this sterile bed in this room neither of them belonged in, gazing at the soft, sleeping face of the man who had walked away from him, he could finally see the truth for what it was.

He was still in love with Dazai.

The realisation was both painful and pitiful, but it was useless to deny. He closed his eyes to try and fight back the overwhelming emotions, but his heart beat fast and rapid in his chest.

He was old enough now, grown enough and experienced enough to know that loving Dazai didn’t mean being with Dazai, and realistic enough to know that being with Dazai wasn’t the answer to everything. He could love him from afar, if he had to, and it was likely that he would, and the love would be painful and lonely but there was no use in denying it was there. Not any more.

He kept his eyes shut and let himself drift, his hand still stroking Dazai’s hair.

--

When Dazai woke, he was groggy at first, unsure and uncertain as to where he was and why he was so warm; he fidgeted, trying to untangle himself as he opened his eyes fully, only then remembering where he had been.

He was still in the double bed of the other suite, and Chuuya still lay beside him, only at some point during sleep they had grown closer until Dazai was wrapped tightly around Chuuya, Chuuya’s arms tight around Dazai’s waist.

Dazai swallowed thickly, his heart spiking in his chest as he looked down groggily at the man pressed closely to his chest. The fact that Chuuya had felt comfortable enough to also fall asleep made Dazai’s heart swell with pride and he leant his head down to press his forehead against the top of Chuuya’s head.

Chuuya stirred, fidgeted, then woke up.

Frowning, he pushed himself back and then looked up, his face instantly falling and flushing pink as he realised the position they were in.

‘Morning, princess.’ Dazai said groggily.

‘Fuck off.’ Chuuya replied, his own voice hoarse. ‘What – what time is it?’

‘I’ve got no idea.’ Dazai said as Chuuya extracted himself from their embrace. ‘But I feel like a new man.’

‘Well,’ Chuuya said, eyeing Dazai suspiciously for a moment before he tried to untangle his hair with his fingers. ‘Good. Mission accomplished, then.’

‘Absolutely.’ Dazai beamed; he rolled onto his back and folded his arms behind his head, looking up at Chuuya through slightly foggy eyes.

Chuuya looked down at him, his own eyes slightly squinted.

‘You look unhappy.’ Dazai noted.

‘I feel…’ Chuuya looked around the room with a frown. ‘Kind of dumb.’

‘Why?’ Dazai frowned. ‘It’s not like we never shared a bed before. We only slept, Chuuya. Nothing naughty for you to be ashamed of.’

‘Stop it.’ Chuuya sighed, glaring back at him again.

‘Although there is still time…’ Dazai grinned.

Chuuya smacked him in the chest, earning him an ‘oof’.

‘Get your mind out of the gutter.’ He grumbled as he sat up and searched for his phone. He found it beneath the pillow, and checking it showed him it was just early evening. He yawned as he put it back down. Dazai was watching him still from where he lay in the bed.

‘Do we have to go back?’ Dazai asked.

Chuuya looked at him over his shoulder and shrugged.

‘I guess not.’ He said. ‘I told Yosano I was going to… you know.’

Dazai grinned and pushed himself up onto his elbows.

‘No,’ he said. ‘What did you tell her?’

Chuuya sighed and tried to fight the warmth of his face.

‘I told her I was going to use the other suite to get you to sleep.’ He said.

‘Is that all?’ Dazai asked with a grin.

‘Yes.’ Chuuya ground out. ‘I told her Ranpo had asked for my help, and she agreed. She said you looked haggard.’

Dazai gasped dramatically, putting a hand to his chest.

‘She did not!’ He hissed.

Chuuya grinned down at him, unable to help himself.

‘She did.’ He nodded. ‘A haggard mess, in fact.’

‘Now I know you’re lying.’ Dazai said – he sat up suddenly to grab a hold of the front of Chuuya’s shirt, pulling him down to the mattress with him. Chuuya cried out in surprise as he lost his balance, unable to call on his ability to help keep him steady. He landed with a thud against Dazai’s chest.

‘If that’s the case,’ Dazai said with a wicked grin, gazing down at him as he held onto him. ‘I ought to stay here and get more rest. I clearly have some beauty sleep to catch up on.’

‘Hm.’ Chuuya hummed, fidgeting slightly so that he wasn’t sprawled quite so scandalously across Dazai’s chest. ‘I agree, actually.’

‘Rude.’ Dazai hummed. ‘And what about Chuuya?’

‘You think I need more beauty sleep?’ Chuuya asked, one eyebrow raised in question.

Dazai grinned down at him, then shifted to smooth one hand across his red hair, stroking the longer strands behind his ear then cupping his chin to look at him.

‘No,’ he said quietly. ‘You are already far too beautiful.’

Chuuya tried to look menacing as he narrowed his eyes, but his heart was beating hard in his chest, and those pesky butterflies were back in his stomach.

‘You think you’re so damn smooth, don’t you?’ He said roughly.

Dazai shrugged awkwardly against the mattress, his other hand coming to rest at Chuuya’s lower back.

‘90% of the time it works.’ He said.

‘Damn bastard.’ Chuuya scowled, looking away.

Dazai grinned, stroking a thumb across Chuuya’s jaw.

‘That’s why I like you, you know.’ He said softly as Chuuya glanced back to him. ‘You don’t fall for my bullshit.’

‘No, I don’t.’ Chuuya frowned, his blue eyes flickering between Dazai’s as if trying to read that very bullshit. Evidently, he saw none, for his face softened and he leant slightly into Dazai’s touch. ‘You like me, huh?’

‘Hm,’ Dazai mused with a smile. ‘I tolerate you.’

‘Mm.’ Chuuya pouted. ‘I tolerate you too, I guess.’

‘I see that.’ Dazai replied cheekily, the hand at Chuuya’s lower back sneaking around to his waist.

Chuuya rolled his eyes but he dropped his head down to rest against Dazai’s warm chest, trying to ignore the burning heat in his face. He was dancing over a dangerous precipice, putting far too much faith in the same man, but he was so warm and soft, and the room was so peaceful and quiet. Dazai stroked his head as he lay against his chest, his head rising and falling softly in time with Dazai’s breaths, the room around them dipping forward into a silent dusk.

I could stay here forever, Chuuya thought as he closed his eyes and listened to the steady beating of the heart beneath his ear. For just a moment, things felt peaceful and possible, warm and secure in the arms of the man he loved. Dazai held him like he was something worth holding, and with a gentleness life very rarely afforded him. Here now, in this impersonal bed, he wasn’t a weapon, or a Singularity, wasn’t a mafioso or an Executive – he was just Chuuya, and Dazai regarded him as such.

Dazai had never treated him as anything other than who he was; years ago Dazai had offered to let the city he loved be razed to the ground just for Chuuya to have an answer on his existence. He had never looked at him as an experiment, as a weapon or as a freak, just as Chuuya had never looked at Dazai as anything other than a boy who craved affection and care. Arahabaki and the Demon Prodigy were just names, they did not represent the boys who returned to their apartment and played video games until the sun came up, or the boys who would fight and bicker over arcade machines, or fall asleep together in a heap on the sofa.

This mafia run hotel was the base of a mission, no different to the Towers or the Agency, but for a few quiet moments this bed was a respite from it all, tucked away from the rest of their team and devoid of plans or schemes or prying eyes.

Chuuya turned his head to look up at Dazai, who had been gazing sightlessly up at the ceiling above them even as he continued to stroke Chuuya’s soft hair; feeling Chuuya shift, he looked down at him.

Chuuya watched him for a moment, and Dazai allowed it, his face lacking any of his usual masks, just open and strangely soft. He pushed himself up eventually, leaning over onto one elbow so he could look across at Dazai without cricking his neck.

‘Something bothering you, Slug?’ Dazai asked quietly, and the softness of his voice along with the nickname Chuuya had not heard in four years had his throat tightening. His ribs burned beneath his shirt as if the tattoo there was suddenly brand new.

‘What is this?’ Chuuya asked, his voice tight.

Dazai’s brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t answer, his hand still warm and firm around Chuuya’s back; Chuuya sighed.

‘This is too soft, Dazai.’ He said.

Dazai’s frown deepened at that.

‘Is it?’ He asked.

‘Yes.’ Chuuya said. ‘Sexual tension I can understand. But this… I can’t figure it out.’

‘You never have been very bright.’ Dazai smiled, but his eyes remained cool. Chuuya scowled down at him and Dazai sighed, reaching up to once more tuck a loose strand of Chuuya’s hair behind his ear. ‘I’ve missed you, Chuuya. I missed being like this. I know I hurt you and you have every right to hate me, but I am a pitiful, selfish man, and I will take what I can get. If I can lay like this with you under the rouse of needing to rest, I will. You made your stance clear and I am trying to be a better man and respect that.’ He paused, and Chuuya scowled at the slow smile that appeared, knowing it often preluded something he would not like. ‘I am desperately attracted to you, but I am learning to behave myself and respect your wishes, so I am just taking what I can get. If a cuddle in bed is what you are willing to give, then I will selfishly take it.’

Chuuya rolled his eyes with a huff but his cheeks burned.

‘Are you attracted to men?’ He asked, his voice a little hoarse.

‘I’m attracted to you.’ Dazai shrugged.

‘But you never pursued men after me.’

‘Well, no.’ Dazai frowned. ‘Why does it matter?’

‘I don’t know.’ Chuuya admitted. ‘I guess I’m just wondering how real this is.’

‘It’s real.’ Dazai said firmly. ‘I’m attracted to women and I just stuck to them because… well.’ He cleared his throat and Chuuya frowned at him; for once, Dazai actually looked a little awkward as he glanced away.

Chuuya raised an eyebrow.

‘If we’ve got any chance of… anything… you’ve got to be honest with me, Mackerel.’

Dazai’s eyes snapped back to him, his cheeks instantly flushing.

‘I couldn’t replace you.’ He said quickly with a pout. ‘Women were so different it never felt like a betrayal.’

Chuuya blinked, surprised.

‘Wait, really?’ He asked.

‘Yes.’ Dazai pouted, looking away again.

Chuuya was quiet for a moment as he took in the pink flush of Dazai’s face, his inability to look Chuuya in the eye – Dazai was a clever, manipulative bastard, and there was no reason to believe he couldn’t simply fake embarrassment… but Chuuya decided to believe him, as well as he could.

‘Alright.’ He found himself saying.

Dazai looked back to him, eyes narrowed slightly as if expecting a dig or a jibe. When none came, he seemed to relax a little.

‘I guess we should be getting back, huh?’ Chuuya said eventually, even if he desperately wanted to stay exactly where he was.

Dazai swallowed, his eyes sweeping over Chuuya’s face for a moment, lingering for a fraction too long on his lips.

‘Yeah.’ He said finally. ‘I suppose so.’

‘We do have a job to do.’ Chuuya smiled, though he was reluctant to move himself away from Dazai’s warmth, or untangle himself from Dazai’s arms.

‘Hm.’ Dazai nodded reluctantly. ‘I guess we do.’

Chuuya wriggled free from Dazai and sat up, taking a moment to stretch whilst Dazai sat up himself with a yawn. Sat up in bed with the quilt pooled around their hips, they looked at one another again, neither of them able to prevent the smiles that broke onto their faces. It was weird to be with someone Chuuya had known for so long and for things to feel so new. He reached out and caressed the sensitive skin beneath Dazai’s eyes; it looked a little less raw now for a couple of hours of sleep. He probably needed more sleep than he was ever likely to get for them to truly fade.

Dazai bit his lip as he smiled at him, a playful smile that spoke of his ridicule as much as it did his affection; Chuuya just huffed before he hoisted himself out of the bed, his legs stiff. He pulled his shoes back on and gathered up the clothing he had shed, hearing Dazai do the same on the other side of the bed.

They met again by the door, Chuuya glancing back to check they hadn’t left anything behind, then Chuuya exited the room and headed back through the suite which had darkened as time had passed them.

He paused at the front door to unlock it, and Dazai captured his wrist.

‘Chuuya,’ he said as Chuuya turned around to look up at him. ‘Thank you for this.’

‘Huh, thank Ranpo.’ Chuuya shrugged awkwardly, but Dazai pulled him close with a shake of his head.

‘It was sweet of Ranpo to concern himself with me.’ Dazai admitted, one hand gentle against Chuuya’s upturned cheek. ‘But he asked you because he knew you were the only person I would listen to. You didn’t have to listen to him, though. So, thank you. You were right, of course. I was burning myself out.’

‘I know.’ Chuuya said simply. ‘Idiot.’

Dazai grinned down at him, his thumb sweeping small movements beside his lips, and in the dark room Chuuya leant into the sensation, his eyes fluttering shut; he stepped forward subconsciously, his chest bumping Dazai’s, and Dazai caught him with a firm hand to his lower back, holding him close. Chuuya opened his eyes to look up to see Dazai’s face inches from his own, obscured mostly by darkness but the profile of it awash in the moonlight that was streaming in through the back windows. He was distractingly handsome, and Chuuya looked up into those dark, endless eyes as Dazai looked back. Dazai tilted down towards him and moving on pure instinct, Chuuya leant up to meet him, their lips connecting in the middle.

The kiss itself was soft, timid, not unlike their very first that had been full of hesitant uncertainty. It was chaste, just their closed mouths connecting for a few seconds before they pulled away in realisation. They stayed close, Chuuya’s hands on Dazai’s shoulders, Dazai still holding Chuuya close, their eyes searching each other’s face, both waiting for the other to step back.

‘I-’ Dazai begun, his face morphing into uncertainty, and of all of his masks, Chuuya knew he hated that one the most, so he pushed himself back onto his toes and closed the gap once more before Dazai could say anything further.

Dazai hesitated for the briefest of seconds before he was kissing back, the hand that had been at his jaw wrapping around to grasp at the back of his head. Chuuya wrapped his hands around Dazai’s neck and pulled him down to deepen the kiss, opening his lips until Dazai took the hint and opened his own until their tongues met, and neither could be sure which of them breathed out the first moan but soon Dazai had pushed Chuuya into the wall beside the front door as he kissed him fiercely, the hand at his back dipping down to cup his ass. Chuuya let him, one hand scraping up to tangle in Dazai’s messy hair, pulling his head close and lapping up the groan it drew out.

Dazai was not usually fond of kisses, for he found them too intimate. He would kiss the women he slept with occasionally, but he usually preferred to keep things simple. But kissing Chuuya lit a fire deep in his belly that he was desperate to stoke and keep burning as he chased Chuuya’s tongue with his own, delirious on the sensation. He had thought that his enjoyment in kissing Chuuya had been down to his teenaged inexperience, but as he held him now, pushed back against the wall with his mouth hot on his own, he realised that had never been the case. He enjoyed kissing Chuuya because it was Chuuya, and because with him he craved the intimacy he rejected with anyone else.

Dazai could have stayed there for the rest of his miserable life, with Chuuya pinned and panting, but eventually his lungs began to burn. He pulled back to catch his breath and allowed Chuuya a moment to do the same.

Chest heaving, they looked at one another, pupil’s as swollen as their mouths now were. Chuuya took his hand from Dazai’s hair and ran the back of it over his sensitive lips, and Dazai grinned.

‘Fuck.’ Chuuya breathed.

‘Do you want to?’ Dazai asked cheekily.

Chuuya pursed his lips, but the overall look was ruined by the flush of his face and the swell of his lips. Dazai grinned, but stepped back, allowing them both a moment to compose themselves and straighten out their clothes.

‘We’ve already been gone too long.’ Chuuya said roughly.

Dazai looked him up and down, admiring how dishevelled he looked; he was raking his fingers through his hair.

‘You look fine.’ Dazai laughed.

Chuuya just shot him a scowl.

‘Just – just give me a minute.’ Chuuya said, and Dazai grinned widely. He would have openly mocked if he too didn’t need some time to cool off.

Chuuya walked away for a moment, shaking out his hands by his sides, and Dazai took the time to settle his heartrate.

‘Okay.’ Chuuya said after a couple of minutes, turning back to face Dazai. ‘Come on. Let’s go.’

Dazai would have loved to have argued, but he got the feeling this was more of a pause than a stop, so he made sure he looked presentable and followed Chuuya back out into the hallway, the lights sudden brightness painful to his eyes.

They crossed the hallway back to their own official suite and Dazai chanced a glance at the security at the elevator – he did not look back, simply standing tall and proud at his post. Dazai was impressed.

Only Higuchi was in the lounge when they returned, and she was busy channel hopping. She looked up as they entered but said nothing, which was both relieving and amusing.

‘I’m going to go…’ Chuuya trailed off, gesturing to his room.

‘Okay.’ Dazai nodded.

Chuuya nodded back, rubbing awkwardly at the back of his neck before turning away; Dazai watched him go before heading to the kitchen for a drink. He needed something cooling.

As Chuuya’s door closed, Yosano’s opened, and the doctor soon joined Dazai in the kitchen. She eyed him for a moment before leaning in closer.

‘Did you sleep?’ She asked.

Dazai turned to look at her, appreciating her attempt at discretion. He smiled.

‘I did.’ He nodded. ‘I feel much, much better.’

Yosano looked him up and down for a moment but seemed to find nothing untoward.

‘Good.’ She nodded. ‘Glad to hear it.’

Dazai returned her smile as he drank his water, which also did not go unnoticed by the doctor, although she chose not to comment on it. If Dazai was suddenly deciding to be a better patient, then she would not jeopardise that. And Dazai was in no mood to bait her, either, content as he was to wallow in his own sudden happiness.