Chapter Text
Dazai wants to die. Now, don’t get this wrong, in context, he’s about to go meet up with All Might, alone, without his brother. Newsflash, he does NOT want to do that. So yes, Dazai wants to die. He really, really doesn’t want to have this meeting with the man; that is NOT what he had planned for his day. It wasn’t good, it wasn’t at all, not only that, but he has yet ANOTHER meeting with Izuku’s homeroom teacher too. That was absolutely most DEFINITELY not part of his plan today. TWO meetings, with people he DOESN’T want to see? Now this was just plain emotional abuse.
He said it before and he’ll say it again, this wasn’t what he had wanted to do; he was more focused on whatever was going on in front of him. Yes, it was through the screen, but did that really matter?
This all sucked, and he was going to blow a damn fuse. At this point, he may as well become Chuuya. The quick fuse and the energy that seemed to bubble up beneath his skin. Now that was just painful and annoying. He doesn’t want to end up like the stupid chibiko!
Could this day get any worse!? This was too much of a damn pain!
A sigh escaped his throat as he flopped back in his seat, the chair squeaking slightly in blatant protest. Dazai tapped a finger onto his thigh, his thoughts never ceasing to settle down inside his head, plans and predictions being filed one by one into complex folders and binders in his mind.
He slumped, resting his head right over the backrest of the chair, a short groan escaping from his lips. All this reminded him of his time back in the mafia: the negotiations, the paperwork, the emotional load of what was expected from him, and the fatigue from thinking, and thinking, and thinking.
Dazai really needed a break. He needed to rent a remote cabin in the woods and disappear for a good while, but first, he had a teacher meeting to go to.
He heaved himself out of his chair and stood up with a full body stretch.
Once he was content, he made sure that he grabbed his phone, wallet, and anything else he deemed important for the trip. It wasn’t a long trip, per se, but that didn’t really matter to him; being prepared was a good thing after all! Saved him many times before.
With one more mental push, Dazai made his way out of his room and weaved into the living room, bee-lining straight to the front door. His mother wasn’t home, having to be at work and all that, so he didn’t bother to bid farewell to anyone (there was no one to bid farewell to anyway). He simply slipped his shoes on, grabbed the house keys off their hook, and walked straight out the front door.
Thankfully, for his diminishing sanity, he didn’t have to walk too far. He was supposed to meet All Might at the ‘usual’ spot, Dangoraba beach. It wasn’t a bad spot, really, especially after Izuku worked his ass off to clean it. Now Dazai finds himself appreciating the place, coming here by himself in his free time. It just resonated with him; no other reason. Well, none that he would be willing to share anyway.
But that wasn’t important. What was important was getting to the beach before All Might did.
He has many reasons for that, of course, like intimidating him! It was always fun to watch the fear in people’s eyes when he did, though he did get called a sadist a lot because of it. Ah, the good ol’ days.
Dazai, of course, had the entire interaction planned out as well, and if everything went as predicted (which it always does), then he’ll walk away from the meeting with everything he needs and an emerging power play with their dear Symbol of Peace.
Dazai slipped his hands into his pockets as he walked. A quiet strut gracing his steps. He hummed to himself, stimulating his rotting brain.
The weather seemed to agree with Dazai’s mood; a soft fog was swirling in the air, and clouds were covering the sky in all their grey, meretriciousness.
His footsteps were steady and quiet. The world passed by him like he never existed in the first place. It was sort of sad. Dazai didn’t care though. He doesn’t care about much, that was established ages ago already.
It didn’t take long for Dazai to reach his destination. The sound of the waves hitting the shore was rustling in his ears. He didn’t focus on that for long. Instead, he just made his way to a bench that looked over the ocean, resting his elbows on the back of the bench.
The wind was quite nice, wisping around his body and through his hair, tousling it a bit. Dazai hoped that the wait wouldn’t be too long. As much as he liked the silence and All Might’s absence he doesn't want to sit there in anticipation for the hero’s arrival. That was just illogical.
But then again Dazai thinks everything is illogical, so it wasn’t really anything to particularly take note of. Some things just really didn’t matter.
Dazai leaned back slightly, using his hands to support him so he doesn’t fall straight onto his back. All he had to do now was wait.
And wait.
And wait.
…
LORD! How long was this going to take!?
He has been waiting for ages! Ages he says! This was horrible! Horrendous even! He’s been sitting here for hours (in reality, it’s been five minutes)! And he still hasn't seen that shit of a hero.
A pout escaped Dazai’s lips and he threw his head back in exasperation. All of this really was a thorn in his side. All this thinking, and waiting, and work that he had to do, and he’ll continue to complain until he could go back to his room, flop in bed and throw the covers over his head.
Thankfully all the waiting and complaining came to an end when he heard the sand shift behind him. Finally satisfied, Dazai turned around to face the person he was waiting for, All Might.
The man was standing there, seemingly waiting for Dazai to make the first move.
The silence between them was tense, and Dazai’s eyes looking the hero up and down was of no help to calm it.
Having satisfied his curiosity, Dazai let his eyes slide up to lock eyes with All Might, a spark of amusement lighting up behind his pupils. If All Might felt unnerved, then he didn’t outwardly show it. Not that Dazai was blind to the weird tenseness that burdened the hero’s shoulders.
“So~ All Might,” he crooned, “How’s my baby brother been doing? Have you been treating him well?”
All Might just sighed, used to Dazai’s antics at this point, outright ignoring the twist in his gut.
“Shuji.” he greeted simply, “thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”
Dazai just hummed, “how could I refuse my brother’s mentor a quick chat?” The coo in his voice was enough to make the older man shiver, catching that subtle move only made Dazai’s smile widen in amusement.
“So, All Might, why did you call me out here? I’m sure there were hundreds of other things you could be doing, ya? And yet you threw all those-” Dazai paused, taking a deep, audible breath before continuing, “-important things. Yes?”
Dazai relished in All Might’s discomfort. This isn’t the first time the man saw Dazai this unnerving and most definitely won't be the last but no matter how many times the hero was exposed to it he would never get used to it. It was a horrid feeling that continues to race down his back.
Dazai tilted his head slightly, humming in a manner that requested an instantaneous response. He watched as All Might tried to recompose himself in front of the younger; rolling his shoulders back and clearing his throat, “Young Shuji,” he began, “you’re right as always, I did call you out here for an important talk. Specifically about your brother.”
Dazai leaned back to rest his back against the bench, “well, do continue, I don’t have all day you know.”
The subtle flinch in All Might’s stance did nothing but elevate the amusement bubbling deep within Dazai’s chest. He gave the hero a few moments to formulate an answer, and an answer was what he received.
“Shuji,” he started, a slight hesitation lining the edges of his voice, “Have you ever- somehow- heard of the name All for One.”
A hum fluttered through the air, “sounds quite like One for All, and in fact, I have.”
That caught All Might off guard, but at this point in their relationship the older man has learned not to ask questions. He just knows that he should stay silent and accept what Dazai offered to him.
“Well Shuji, I fear that the man is back. He’s back and I believe he is looking to reemerge into society. I fear for the future heroes and young Midoria.” All Might swallowed down a lump that was forming in his throat, keeping steady eye contact with Dazai, seemingly waiting for the younger to replay or comment on the information that was just relayed.
Dazai took a moment or two before humoring the man, “Is that so?” he mused, tilting his head down in thought, a stray finger on his lips, “well it seems like we have a few problems on our hands, hm?”
All Might shifted for the nth time, his discomfort and mistrust displayed like a puppet on a stage. Loud and symbolically pathetic. Ah- how the mighty have fallen.
Dazai lifted his chin to meet All Might’s eyes once more, “pray tell All Might, why are you telling me this? Out of everyone that you know why do I get the…” a pause, “honor of receiving this information?”
It was a good question, it made sense to ask it, it was no surprise that this was what came to.
All Might sighed before continuing to speak, “I fear that he’ll end up growing stronger and hail down death and destruction,” a pause filled the air, tense silence plaguing the weather around the hero.
“You didn’t answer my question, All Might.”
Another breath of hesitation was all that was spoken. Dazai let it sit a bit, waiting for the man to gather his thoughts.
“I suppose I told you due to your intelligence, and how reliable you’ve been during the time we spent together.”
It was an intriguing reason really. Telling Dazai just because he ‘seemed’ trustworthy? That was just a recipe for disaster. Of course, Dazai wasn’t actually going to do anything drastic with that information but it still wasn’t the smartest move out there.
It was a good thing that Dazai is allied with All Might, mostly because of his kid brother’s relation to the hero. Although, aside from that Dazai really wasn't a fan of the heroics profession, only really tolerating it for Izuku’s sake.
“You trust me? You think I'm reliable? The questions rolled off of Dazai’s tongue like acid would on cement. The brunette continued, “I’m flattered that that’s how the number one hero views me!” was how he ended up replying to himself, not even leaving a second to let All Might answer him himself.
He giggled slightly in his hand, truly flattering. Never thought it would come from you though, All Might.”
All Might himself chuckled slightly, albeit awkwardly but that didn’t matter much. Once Dazai decided to regain his composure he leaned back and hummed in a thoughtful tone. “So, I suppose there's something you want me to do? You didn’t just come to tell me this from the good of your heart.”
Seeing All Might resist a flinch would never not be entertaining for Dazai, though the brunet didn’t comment on it.
He listened to All Might clear his throat before the man replied to him, “as perspective as ever Shuji-kun. I do in fact have a favor I needed to ask you.”
Dazai gestured for the hero to continue, starting to lose patients with all these pauses that wiggled their way into the conversation.
It took a second before All Might complied, “You’re one of the smartest people I know, do you- uh- do you think you could gather anything on All For One?”
A not so reassuring grin overtook Dazai’s face, “oh? Doubting me now, old man?” the teen hopped up onto his feet, “i don’t think i can, i know i can.”
All Might’s shoulders seemed to relax a bit, clearly relieved that Dazai easily accepted the favor, “I apologize for making it seem like I doubted you Young Shuji,” he said fondly, “Thank you for taking on this task.”
Dazai waved him off, “oh don’t mention it, old man. I have nothing to do anyway, I was just looking for something to do.” His grin turned cheshire, “I’m going to enjoy this.”
Dazai hopped off of his seat and stretched his arms over his head pushing down on his tippy-toes to detangle his body.
His entire being seemed to be stiff, the interaction having dragged on for way too long. With a sharp sigh of relief, Dazai slid his hands in his pockets and began to walk away. He threw up his hand in a lazy wave. Before he was out of ear shot, Dazai lazily called back to All Might, noticing him to a lazy and almost apathetic goodbye.
The brunette spent no time before he whisked away. Most certainly yearning to leave.
It didn’t take long for him to create enough distance between the two of them to make Dazai feel comfortable enough to let his mask drop.
Goodness, Dazai just felt as if an invisible weight was finally lifted off of his shoulders. He couldn’t do this today. And for the record this was the- like- 50th time he’s said that already. He doesn’t think anyone could blame him for it though.
The brunette continued his way to his new destination. Which has not yet been determined. Not surprising considering dazai’s weird habit of just going wherever the wind seems to take him. You could argue that that was the way he crossed paths with Chibi. Aimlessly wandering around always seemed to do him some good.
Not that he ever plans to get it in the face with some new side quest the world decides he should complete. It just happens. It was a quirk of his, if you will.
Though none of this mattered anymore. The meeting was over, there was nothing more to think about. No use for thinking about it anyway. There was nothing new, nothing that he didn’t know already. Frankly, it was just a waste of his damn time.
And yet he had another meeting to go to. He doesn’t have high expectations for this one either. He usually never did. If something did go wrong, well Dazai would be quite surprised. It’s not often that people throw Dazai off guard.
Enough of that though, this wasn’t a problem on his list. He doesn’t have to concern himself with things that don’t concern him.
The walk back home wasn’t as damning as the walk to the beach. At least this time he has nothing that can plague his mind. He calls that a curse in disguise. The street lights seemed to flash and flicker in random tones, Dazai did his best to ignore the tricks his mind was playing on him. He just had to go home. Then he could relax and everything would be fine.
Everything would be fine.
God, why was everything flying so fast and yet time seems to be so slow? What’s going on?
Dazai put his hand out and leaned on the wall of some random store. The static in his mind grew to unbearable levels. His heart was pounding, vision swirling in a way that made him nauseous.
Fuck. This was not the time for this. Dazai couldn’t deal with this right now. It was a horrible time for his brain and body to betray him.
Maybe he should just go home and stay home; skip out on that other meeting that he had.
Ya, that seemed like a good idea. He could just reschedule and everything would be fine. There was no need to worry. It was ok, everything was ok.
Dazai dragged himself to a nearby bench, practically melting into it once his body made contact with the wood. He would just rest here. It was fine. Everything was fine.
It was like a mantra in his head at this point. The words repeating again and again. ‘Everything was fine’ ‘it was all going to pass, everything passes’. At this point people might think that he was losing his touch with reality. That he was going insane.
Maybe he was.
Dazai slumped deeper into the bench. Closing his eyes and just letting himself relax.
He’ll just stay here for a bit.
Ya. that sounded nice.
He’ll just stay here.
Just a little longer.
—--
“Dazai! DAZAI!”
The voice was quite demanding, a call from a former life. A wish, never fulfilled. It was a shame. There was nothing left for Dazai to try to fight for, to live for, all his worth had diminished.
He ignored Kunikida’s screams. Leaving him once and for all. Dazai doesn’t regret it. Or does he? He didn’t know, it was all too much. The numbness that has enveloped him throughout his life shuddered him once more in its cold embrace. Dazai couldn’t help but feel all this apathy, all this hatred, this pain.
He continued forward, his mind fuzzy, a sort of collective tunnel vision enveloping him. Silently, he apologized to his friends. To the Detective Agency; to Odasaku for betraying him.
He never really was a good person. He never changed. He just adapted. Dazai will always be the Demon Prodigy. There was no escape from his fate, from everything that he was made for, from the mold he was created in.
His steps stiffened. His resolve was unmatched. Everything was falling apart at the seams. It really couldn't be any more beautiful. It was a painting, a play on all that life seemed to represent. Dazai quite likes this type of painting, this end that was created just for him. The world was ready for him to fall, creating such a scene to celebrate his departure. Anyone else would call it depressing, angsty, they’d say that all this pessimism was a curse.
The thing was, that Dazai was a curse. His entire living was a curse. His existence was a curse. Hah. A curse.
He was going to die. That was the plan. Hell would welcome him with open arms and a polished throne. He’ll give everyone the pleasure of witnessing the one humane act that Dazai would ever commit. The act of ridding the world from such affliction. It would be the perfect suicide. Dazai would be free. And the world would finally be beautiful.
Shame Chuuya would never see it.
Chuuya.
Chuuya was gone, Dazai failed him. He’s dead; the one man that Dazai ever felt human around. The most humane person to ever walk this earth and he was gone. Taken away by the god inside him. The Clutches of Corruption holding him so tenderly ‘till his final breaths.
Chuuya died as a god. Not as a human. He died as a god. Dazai couldn’t help but force down a dry sob. How could he let Chuuya die like that, die in that form? Chuuya wanted to kill a human. Instead he died a monster.
Dazai couldn’t bring back the dead. Dazai couldn’t do anything. That’s why he was doing this.
He will kill Mori. He’ll kill Fukuzawa. He’ll kill Ango. Then he’ll kill himself.
He hopes they will all forgive him for this sin. He hopes they go to heaven. He wishes he was a child once more; listening to Mori as he read him a picture book and tucked Dazai into bed.
Mori was his father. Not biologically, but even after all the pain he put Dazai in, Dazai just couldn’t forget the moments where Mori seemed to genuinely care for him, like a father. Dazai just can’t blame him. Yes, he had loathed Mori for most of his life, but in this moment Dazai couldn’t help but want the man to read to him once more.
Oh how death can affect the mind.
Dazai caressed the pistol in his hand. The ridges of the design pricking his skin.
God really was known for his gimmiks and illogical accidents.
And Dazai really did always lose what he never wanted to lose.
How hauntingly pretty.
—--
Izuku loves his brother, that is a given already, but ever since the older boy met All Might he started acting odd. As if there was something he knew that no one else did. Many people would have brushed him off saying that it was Shuji and no one could understand that boy, that there was no point in trying to understand what was going on in the young man’s brain.
Izuku though; well he knew better. He’s seen the way Shuji’s calculating gaze washed over All Might and the way Shuji seems to account for things that Izuku doesn’t even know of. It was unsettling if he was being honest, he would never say that in Shuji’s face though. His brother was considered fragile.
Fragile. That in and of itself was testing for Izuku. Everytime someone spoke of his brother they would whisper about the times he was taken from home and driven to a hospital. Or how he would disappear for a while because he lost his sanity. He would always see people’s pitying gazes on his back, and apologies for his predicament.
His brother needed some extra help, yes, but he wasn’t insane! His brother was great! It was all just a matter of getting to know the boy. People never tried to do that though. They were afraid to go near him in fear that Shuji would lash out at them or that any little thing that they said would get in Shuji’s head.
Izuku knew otherwise, he knew how smart his brother was, he knew how Shuji didn’t bother to care about how other people think of him. How his older brother wasn’t hurt by anyone but himself.
But that's not the point. The point was that there was something going on. Something was wrong and Izuku couldn’t just point it out. For one, he didn’t have enough proof and two who knows how his brother would end up reacting. He was stuck between a rock and a hard-place with not much to do. If only he could figure out what was going on. That would save him so much time, so much worry, and their family could go back to where they started out and all would be well!
It was a far-fetched wish but Izuku forced himself to believe that it could happen. That whatever was going on wasn’t going to do anything to their family. Although it was clear that it would. It wasn’t just him who noticed, even his mother noticed the change in Shuji’s behavior and it worries her just as much as it worries Izuku. The worst part was that neither of them knew why Shuji was acting like this, they didn’t have a single clue.
All this change and all this nuance was frightening from Izuku's perspective. Whatever was going on needed to be shut down and shut down immediately.
Izuku clicked the pen that he had in his hand faster. Anxiety racing through his body. He really needed to calm down.
This wasn’t as big of a deal as his mind made it up to be… right?
Oh, but what if something was really wrong? He couldn’t just wait for his brother to fall to his lowest point. He had to do something beforehand.
Again- the main problem was that Izuku didn’t know what was wrong, so he didn’t know how to help. This was all so anxiety inducing!
Suddenly, Izuku was pulled out of his sculpture by Uraraka, who worriedly waved a hand near his face.
“Earth to Deku. Are you ok? You’ve been zoning out for a while now,”
Izuku tilted his head up to look at her, his eyes blinking owlishly as he processed her question. It was only once his ears and brain synced up did he start to stumble over his words and flail his arms around in embarrassment.
“Ah! No- yes, I mean yes I’m ok! All good! Never better!”
His dramatics only seemed to make the girl laugh; that didn’t help the growing blush that found its place on his cheeks.
He tried to ignore those past few seconds and move forward with the interaction. He placed a palm to the back of his neck, “so, Uraraka-chan…” he cleared his throat, “did you- uh- need anything?”
The girl in question let out a soft hum before leaning forward slightly, her hands clasped behind her back, “well you’ve been zoning out for a while now, it’s time for lunch, you didn’t seem to notice.”
That caught Izuku’s attention, “lunch? Already?”
Uraraka nodded, “Mhm! So come on! We don't want to miss lunch now, do we?”
Deku just shook his head, quickly gathering all his stuff into his bag before getting up onto his feet.
The two friends found Ida waiting for them outside the classroom, and as always the three of them made their way to the cafeteria. Once they arrived they were pleased to find Tsuyu in their usual spot, waiting for them.
Once everyone was settled was when the conversations began. At this point in the timeline Izuku’s worries were placed on the back burner. Not forgotten about but also not on the front lines of his brain.
Izuku couldn't help but notice the worried glances that Uraraka was shooting at him. If Deku had to guess, he would say that she was worried about earlier. It was no secret that Izuku was an avid worrier, but not for no reason.
It sort of warmed his heart to realize that the young heroine was worried for him but then again he didn’t really want her to worry for him. That wasn’t the goal at all.
Of course that didn’t mean that he was ungrateful! He was, truly! It would be shameful if he just brushed off the heroin’s worry like it was a spec of dust on his shoulder.
Though… on the other hand, it was sort of daunting. He could tell that Uraraka wanted to ask what was on his mind, and he didn’t know if he wanted to tell her or not.
Ugh! Why were there so many things that his mind keeps latching onto?! It was exhausting!
Izuku shook his head, hoping that somehow that would clear his brain from the thoughts that were wrestling inside.
He turned back to the conversation that his friends were in the middle of, trying to connect the pieces that he missed to the present conversation.
He’ll just worry about everything else later. For now though, he had lunch to finish and a conversation to join.
=
Nezu rubbed his thumbs (does that rat even have any?) over each other, his hand interlocked in thought. His mind was working overtime, this was just too unworldly.
And nerve wracking. If anything Nezu knew that he couldn’t let this just sit out there without a care in the world. That would most likely lead to disaster and carnage. He wasn’t so sadistic as to watch it play out without putting in effort to intervene.
The mammal grit his teeth together, his claws threatening to pierce his skin. Anyone who knew him, even slightly, could tell that he was getting frustrated and anxious.
You couldn't blame the man (?). Anyone would panic if history began to repeat itself right in front of your eyes, in its entirety. It was a given. A very malicious one at that, but a given nonetheless.
Now, if Nezu was right then Izuku Midoria’s brother was the new Dazai Osamu, and if anything were to be inferred it would be that disaster would follow. Even the HPSC caught on and are trying to figure out what to do.
After Ichiyo Higuchi was confirmed to be reincarnated the HPSC have been paranoid that another historical figure from the Dark Age was to appear. And it seemed as if their paranoia was justified, for now Dazai Osamu has shown his face once more.
Nezu couldn’t help the goosebumps that lined his skin. If Dazai got reincarnated then who’s to say that Chuuya Nakahara wouldn’t be. And if they were to be in the same timeline and run into each other, then Nezu would fall to his knees and beg for mercy.
It may seem so very dematic, but was it really? After everything that had happened all those years ago, before the dawn of quirks. Back when abilities were touched by the hand of God for those unfortunate enough to live?
If the UA Principal had to be honest he would say that he really just wants to hide in a hole, away from all this chaos. Alas he’s never given the chance to relax. All part of the wonders of life.
Then, again there is a small chance that nothing would happen at all, and that all this was just an overreaction on the heroes’ part.
Is Nezu going to take that risk? Absolutely not. He’s not a damn idiot, nor is he a psychopath. For a rodent, he likes to say that he is quite cautious when it comes to any kind of danger. He won't stand to simply walk into a mouse trap. No matter how tempting it seems to be. For that means playing to the devil’s tune.
His nervousness couldn’t seem to stay inside his body as his paws fidgeted with each other. He placed his head into his trembling hands, hoping that some sort of divine revelation would suddenly befall upon him.
Alas, that was just a delusion he clung to. Life was never so easy.
Nezu continued to wrack his brain, trying to make sense of the situation that he was currently in. There had to be something that he could do. If there wasn’t then what? He had to make sure that UA was safe first and foremost. And if his theory was correct then that would be much harder then he originally thought.
Fuck.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Nezu began to pace over his desk. Back and forth, over and back. Nezu had only one shot at this. One wrong move, and lord knows where he and the community he built will end up.
Worse case scenario, they all end up in the grave. The best case scenario is that they are too useless and therefore overlooked. But with the reputation that his school has, it would be a miracle if that ever happened.
All he could do now was remind himself of the impending doom of the ‘dream-turned-reality’ that he created if he forgets his place. If he doesnn’t stick his nose where it doesn’ t belong then he wouldn’t have to worry.
It’s all out of his hands now.
Nezu isn’t religious. He was an animal after all. But the only thing he could do was plead.
So from the bottom of his heart, Nezu prayed-
Lord save them all.