Chapter Text
The academy halls were quieter than usual, the day dragging on as Dazai wandered aimlessly, searching for Chuuya. He had checked all the usual spots—their dorm, classrooms, the library—but there was no sign of him. Dazai’s frustration grew with each passing hour, his mind replaying their last conversation, each sharp word and cold silence like a knife twisting in his chest.
He pulled out his phone, staring at the screen, hoping for a message or a missed call from Chuuya. But there was nothing. He tried calling again, but it went straight to voicemail. The more he looked, the more anxious he became, fearing that Chuuya was deliberately avoiding him—or worse, that something might have happened to him.
Just as Dazai was about to give up and return to the dorm, his phone buzzed with a text message. He quickly unlocked it, heart pounding as he saw the sender’s name: Yuan, one of Chuuya’s close friends.
“Dazai, Chuuya’s in the hospital. He was bitten by a stray dog yesterday, and the wound got infected. He didn’t tell anyone until it got worse. He’s okay, but he needs to stay there for a while.”
The words sent a shockwave of panic through Dazai. His breath caught in his throat, and without a second thought, he turned and sprinted toward the hospital, his mind racing with guilt and fear. The thought of Chuuya suffering alone because of their argument made his chest tighten with regret.
The rain from the previous day had left the streets slick, but Dazai didn’t care. He ran as fast as he could, his heart pounding in his ears, his thoughts a chaotic swirl of worry. He should have been there for Chuuya, should have noticed something was wrong. But he had let his own emotions get in the way, and now Chuuya was paying the price.
When Dazai finally arrived at the hospital, he quickly found the room number Yuan had mentioned. Standing outside the door, he hesitated, suddenly unsure if Chuuya would even want to see him. What if Chuuya was still angry? What if he didn’t want Dazai there?
But Dazai knew he had to try. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and stepped inside.
The room was quiet, the only sound the soft beeping of the heart monitor. Chuuya lay in the hospital bed, looking tired and pale. His arm was heavily bandaged, and there was an IV drip attached to his other arm. Despite his weakened state, his eyes widened in surprise when he saw Dazai standing in the doorway.
“Dazai?” Chuuya’s voice was raspy, a mix of confusion and exhaustion.
Dazai’s usual carefree demeanor was nowhere to be found. Instead, he looked genuinely concerned, his eyes softening as he approached the bed. He felt a lump in his throat as he saw how vulnerable Chuuya looked, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.
“I… I’m sorry,” Dazai finally managed to say, his voice uncharacteristically soft and sincere. “I didn’t know… I should have been there for you. I shouldn’t have let things get this bad between us.”
Chuuya, though still weak, managed a small smile. He appreciated Dazai’s concern, even if he didn’t fully understand why Dazai was being so serious. “It’s okay, Dazai. I guess we both messed up. But you’re here now, and that’s what matters.”
Dazai sat down on the edge of the bed, his usual mask of indifference slipping away entirely. “I’ve been an idiot, Chuuya. I let my own stupid jealousy get in the way, and you got hurt because of it.”
Chuuya shook his head slightly, trying to reassure him. “It’s not your fault, Dazai. I should have said something sooner about the bite. I just… I didn’t want to worry anyone.”
A heavy silence settled between them, the weight of unspoken emotions filling the room. Dazai looked down at his hands, feeling the guilt gnawing at him. “I care about you, Chuuya. More than I’ve let on. And I don’t want to keep pushing you away.”
Chuuya’s heart skipped a beat at Dazai’s words. He had always known there was something more to their relationship, something deeper than their constant bickering and rivalry. But hearing Dazai admit it out loud was different. It made everything feel more real, more significant.
“I care about you too, Dazai,” Chuuya replied, his voice soft but steady. “I guess we’re both just bad at showing it.”
Dazai finally looked up, meeting Chuuya’s gaze. The tension between them slowly began to dissolve as they talked, their conversation filled with a mix of apologies, reassurances, and emotions they were only just beginning to understand.
As the night wore on, Dazai stayed by Chuuya’s side, refusing to leave until he was sure Chuuya was resting comfortably. It was a moment of quiet connection, one that hinted at the deep bond they shared, even if they weren’t fully ready to acknowledge it yet.
Eventually, Chuuya drifted off to sleep, his breathing steady and peaceful. Dazai pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down, watching over him. The steady rise and fall of Chuuya’s chest brought Dazai a sense of calm he hadn’t felt in days. He realized, in that quiet moment, just how much Chuuya meant to him—and how far he was willing to go to protect that connection.
As Dazai settled in for the night, he knew that the road ahead wouldn’t be easy. There were still things left unsaid, feelings left unexplored. But for now, he was content to stay by Chuuya’s side, taking things one step at a time.
And in that stillness, as the night stretched on, Dazai found a small sense of peace—knowing that, despite everything, they were in this together.