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Chuuya counts to ten and slowly opens his eyes. He peers up at Dazai. The god is soundly asleep, and Chuuya smirks slightly. He slowly removes the hand around his waist, freezing a little when Dazai shifts, but Dazai merely rolls over and continues to sleep. Chuuya holds back his sigh of relief and nimbly climbs off the bed.
As he picks his clothes off the floor, he thinks that in retrospect, maybe he could have found a better solution, but then again sleeping with Dazai really is the only way to make the god let his guard down. He just hadn’t expected himself to enjoy it that much too. That much as in a lot. And, well, if Chuuya’s being completely honest, the god’s really good at the art of seduction too, and he can’t say that escape had been on his mind the first night he had given himself to the god. Actually, escape hadn’t even been on his mind as much as release. And neither was it on his mind the second time. Or third time. Or the fourth. And it really got out of hand, but Dazai’s just really good at… that.
And he’s a really handsome god.
And.
So.
Anyway.
Chuuya’s escaping now so that’s all that matters.
Once dressed, Chuuya tiptoes his way across the room, only pausing to let out a slow breath once he has the doors shut firmly behind him. He closes his eyes.
I can do this.
There’s a renewed determination in his eyes when he reopens them, and he begins to make his way to the gates. He has been in the Underworld for a few months now so navigating around the place is easy for him. Dazai had been much more willing to show him around the place once he started sleeping with him.
Chuuya lets out a soft groan when he sees that Rashoumon is awake and prowling at the gates. He had been counting on the hound being asleep but he did come prepared after all. He steps out from behind the wall and calmly makes his way over to Rashoumon. The dog tilts his head at him curiously, and Chuuya smiles at him guilelessly, reaching out to pet one of his heads. He feeds the herbal cake to that head before moving on to the next one.
“Hey there, boy,” he says soothingly, and Rashoumon wags his tail.
Rashoumon snuggles into this touch, and Chuuya almost jumps when he hears familiar coughing. He still manages to slip the herb to the last head though.
“What are you doing out here?”
Chuuya turns around, a wide smile on his face. “Akutagawa! Shouldn't you be sleeping?”
Akutagawa looks at him suspiciously. “I could say the same about you.”
“Oh, I was just talking a walk around since I couldn't sleep.”
Akutagawa grunts in response though it doesn't seem like he believes him. He opens his mouth only to start coughing. He waves off Chuuya’s concerns. When he recovers, he glares at Chuuya although his attention is quickly robbed by Rashoumon’s whimpers. Akutagawa pushes past Chuuya and strokes Rashoumon’s head.
“What’s wrong?”
Rashoumon just continues to whine, and Chuuya takes the opportunity to slowly inch closer to the gates. When Rashoumon collapses, Akutagawa turns fierce eyes towards him.
“I’m really sorry!” Chuuya gets out before he’s running out of the gates.
He hears Akutagawa roar behind him but he isn’t too worried; the gatekeeper’s health will prevent him from coming after Chuuya. He meets a disgruntled Oda at the Styx as he clambers into the boat.
“You know Dazai will be furious when he finds out, right?” Oda asks.
“Are you seriously backing out now?”
Oda raises an eyebrow. “I didn't say that.”
“Well, hurry then!”
Oda simply shrugs as he starts rowing the boat. The ride feels like forever, and Chuuya cannot stop fidgeting. He can’t see the end of the river and he jumps when Oda places a hand on his shoulder.
“Relax.”
Chuuya wishes he could and he almost snaps at Oda, but the other is taking a huge risk by helping him so Chuuya simply hums in reply. Once the boat comes to a halt, Chuuya hugs Oda and thanks him.
“Be careful,” Oda says.
Chuuya nods before he breaks out into laughter. It’s unbridled and tinged with nervousness. He’s so close to escaping. Gosh, it almost doesn't seem real. Oda seems to understand and places a hand on his shoulder.
“Go, Chuuya.”
Chuuya closes his eyes and lets out a long sigh before he nods. “Thank you, Odasaku.”
Chuuya steps out of the boat, and that’s where all hope vanishes. His eyes widen as he sees Dazai a few feet ahead of him. The god turns his head and grins when he sees Chuuya.
“Chuuya~!” he calls as he bounces over to the human. “Hello!”
“What- what the- how the fuck are you here?”
Dazai’s smile slips, and his eyes dark on a darker shadow as he steps forward into Chuuya’s personal space. “Shouldn't I be asking you that?”
Chuuya refuses to back down and glares up at the god. Oda walks over to them and calmly places a hand each on their chests, gently pushing them backwards.
“I want to go home,” Chuuya says.
Dazai’s eyes narrow before a smirk slowly appears on his face. “Kiss me.”
“What?”
“Oh, please, Chuuya, you’ve already spread your le – ”
Chuuya yanks the front of Dazai’s shirt and pulls him down to kiss him on the lips furiously, his ears burning red in embarrassment. Yes, the whole underworld probably already knows but it’s still horribly humiliating to let Oda hear about it like this. Fuck Dazai and his stupid mouth. The kiss is still unfairly good though and – no, Chuuya does not want to go there.
Dazai smirks into the kiss as he plunders Chuuya’s mouth, and it remains on his face even after they part. Chuuya’s glaring daggers at him.
“Okay, I’ll consider it.”
“Wh- WHAT? You said – ”
“I only told you to kiss me; I never said I’d allow you to go home.”
Chuuya shakes his head in disbelief and storms his way back to the boat. He crosses his arms and sits as far away as possible from Dazai. The trip back is silent and feels even longer than just now. Chuuya stalks off by himself and only stops to offer Rashoumon and Akutagawa an apology. One of Rashoumon’s head tries to bite him, another ignores him while the last whimpers sadly. It breaks Chuuya’s heart, especially when Akutagawa merely scoffs at him. He practically runs to the bedroom.
Back outside, Oda gives Dazai a disparaging look. “Seriously?”
Dazai pouts. “Odasaku, I should be the one getting mad. You rowed him across the Styx without my permission!”
“He’s sad, Dazai. You can’t keep him trapped here forever.”
Dazai smiles almost maniacally. “But I can.”
“And he’ll learn to hate you.”
That wipes the smile off Dazai’s face instantaneously and he growls in annoyance before he stomps back to the bedroom. Chuuya’s already lying on the bed and he doesn't acknowledge Dazai’s presence even when the god crawls into bed with him. He does, however, flinch away from Dazai’s touch and scoots further away from him. Dazai has half a mind to grab the mortal and have his way with him but decides against it in the end. He is not his brother. Rolling his eyes, Dazai moves to the other side of the bed and sleeps with his back facing Chuuya.
It’s not like he wants to touch him too. He could care less. He doesn't care. Not at all.
Ugh. Stupid little mortal.
*
The tense atmosphere still hangs in the air as they get dressed for the day. Dazai blocks Chuuya’s path as the human makes for the door. Chuuya glares at him.
“Have breakfast with me.”
“Tch.” Chuuya tries to push past him, but Dazai grabs his arm.
“Have breakfast with me and I’ll let you go home.”
Chuuya pauses for a second before he turns around to face Dazai slowly. “Really?”
“For a day. You come back before night falls.”
Chuuya bites his lower lip as he considers this. Ideally, he’d like to stay for at least two days but fine, whatever, he’ll take what he can get.
“Okay.”
Breakfast passes by in companionable conversation, and Chuuya almost forgets his anger towards Dazai as they chat about trivialities and more serious things like medicine. Chuuya used to be a doctor-in-training before Dazai had decided to kidnap him. And although Chuuya had resented Dazai with a burning hatred at the beginning, that fire had slowly ebbed when he realised that Dazai could be quite pleasant company. Of course things had to go the god’s way, but Chuuya also couldn't deny that Dazai had taught him a great deal about medicine and also other things, most of them information that he would have never dreamt of, and that Dazai had also given him many rare herbs.
Dazai has always been incredibly nice towards him and if this were a normal relationship that had started without a kidnapping, Chuuya wouldn't have to struggle with his feelings. He’s happy, sure, but he’s also mad.
And he’s not dumb. He knows that whatever relationship he has with the god, it’s far from healthy. And no matter how well Dazai treats him, it doesn't erase the fact that he had still abducted him against his will in the first place. But it’s also true that Dazai had never once forced himself on him, and Chuuya’s grateful for that, considering the rumours he hears about Dazai’s brother; Fitzgerald might be the god of gods, but he certainly isn’t a good one.
“Take care of yourself, and remember to be back before nightfall,” Dazai says pleasantly when Chuuya sets off.
The redhead nods though his steps falter as he nears Akutagawa and Rashoumon. Akutagawa is still pointedly ignoring him, and Rashoumon still looks upset, but Chuuya approaches the dog anyway. He reaches a hand out and doesn't flinch even when all three heads bare their teeth at him. Slowly, he inches forward and lays his hand on Rashoumon’s centre head.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers as he runs his hand through Rashoumon’s fur. “I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”
Rahoumon continues to stare at him for a while before he eventually relents and whines, licking Chuuya’s face. Chuuya chuckles and turns to Akutagawa.
“I’m really sorry, Akutagawa.”
The gatekeeper grunts in response and merely waves him off. Chuuya turns back and smiles at Dazai.
“Thank you.”
Dazai shrugs in response. “Well, off you go.”
Oda’s already waiting for him at the Styx, and his good mood makes the ride seem faster this time around as he chats with Oda.
“Take care,” Oda says when they reach the riverbank.
Chuuya smiles and gives him a hug before he steps off the back. The breath of fresh air and the feel of the sun against his face for the first time in months feels are intoxicating, and he spends several minutes just standing there and soaking in everything that is alive. He’s also wondering how the hell he’s going to get back to his village when he spots a familiar face on a horse-pulling cart.
“Chuuya!”
“Atsushi!”
The two friends embrace in a tight hug once Atsushi jumps off the cart, and they’re both grinning widely when they part.
“Why are you here?”
“Well, er, Dazai kind of told me to come.”
Chuuya rolls his eyes though he can’t keep the stupid smile off his. Fucking god. So frustratingly annoying but also so damned considerate. An asshole but also nice to him. Kidnapped him but then treated him like a gem. Took him away from his life but gave him a new family. Fuck. Chuuya doesn't even know what’s right or wrong anymore.
“Chuuya?”
The redhead shakes his head. “Never mind; let’s go, Atsushi.”
They spend the ride to the village chatting as Atsushi fills him in on everything that has happened over the past few months. As they approach the village, Chuuya spots Fyodor waiting at the entrance and he hops off the cart, running straight towards his best friend who’s also running towards him. They catch each other in an embrace halfway and they’re laughing as they pull apart.
“How have you been?” Chuuya asks.
“I wasn’t the one being held under duress by the god of the underworld.”
Chuuya laughs.
But doesn't defend Dazai.
Back in the underworld, Dazai scoffs under his breath as he watches the scene the scene before him. Duress? How dare that heathen.
“Are you for real?”
Dazai ignores Ango as he continues watching Chuuya in the mirror. Has Chuuya ever laughed like that while he was with Dazai? Yes. Probably. Dazai’s feeling more annoyed the more he sees how happy the redhead is away from him.
“Dazai.”
Dazai rolls his eyes and looks up at Death. “Ango.”
“Stop spying on him.”
“Agreed,” Oda says as he walks in.
“Traitor,” Dazai snaps.
Oda ignores him as he joins them at the table.
“You abducted him,” Ango points out.
“Am I worse than my brother? I did not force myself on him nor do I have a crazy wife who would go after him.”
“You still kept him here against his will,” Oda points out.
Dazai growls. “I am the god of the underworld. I shall have whomever I want. And besides, haven’t I let him return now?”
Ango and Oda look like they want to say something but remain quiet under the challenging gaze of the god. Dazai might be a friend to them, but he is also very clearly their superior and they know better than to contest him too openly or too often. Besides, his good mood has been sour ever since Chuuya left and unfortunately would probably only be restored when the human returns.
*
The first thing Chuuya does upon stepping into the village is to head over to Goncharov’s house. The man has been sick for years, and even Mori and Yosano hasn’t been able to do anything to help him except alleviate his pain. But now Chuuya can help him, thanks to Dazai. Well, it’s actually thanks to Pushkin (Diseases) but he only helped because Dazai asked.
“Chuuya,” Goncharov says before he starts coughing. He looks thinner than before, face a pasty shade and his skin looks like it’s being hung up by his bones. Chuuya rushes to his bedside and helps the man to lie down. “It’s been a long time.”
“Rest!” Chuuya says. “I’ve found a cure and sent Fyodor and Atsushi to collect the herbs. They’ll be back in no time, but first let me check on you.”
The man smiles at him gratefully but there’s also doubt in his eyes. He looks resigned to a doomed fate, but Chuuya’ll be damned if he lets that happen.
After a quick check up, it’s clear that the man isn’t going to last much longer. It’d be a miracle if he even survives past the night, and Chuuya’s grateful that Dazai let him back when he did. Fyodor and Atsushi return with the requested herbs half an hour later, and Chuuya sets about making the concoction. He feeds it to Goncharov and prays that it works. For now, he can only let the sick man rest.
The moment he steps out of the cottage, he’s met with a pair of fierce eyes.
“Kouyou…”
His sister doesn't say anything, just runs over and pulls him into tight hug. “My dear brother.”
While Chuuya relishes in his sister’s warmth, it soon becomes uncomfortable as more villagers start to notice his return. They relocate back to their house where his mentors are waiting. Elise, Mori’s daughter, hugs him tightly and refuses to let him go under her father gently pries her away from him. He hugs both Mori and Yosano before they sit round the table with Fyodor and Atsushi.
Chuuya answers their questions patiently, knowing that they had all been worried to death when he had been unceremoniously nabbed from the meadows that day while collecting some herbs for Mori. He keeps the true nature of his relationship with his Dazai a secret because Kouyou, Mori and Yosano would flip, and sleeping with the god isn’t exactly something to brag about.
While Kouyou and Atsushi make dinner, Chuuya shares the things that he had learnt from Pushkin with the other medical practitioners. He becomes so engrossed in talking to them that he doesn't realise the sun setting and there isn’t any indication that anything is about to go wrong either, that is, until he’s hit by a headache so painful that he falls from his chair.
The others are by his side immediately but Mori and Yosano cannot deduce what’s wrong. And then Chuuya realises that it’s impossible for them to, because this is the work of a certain god. A certain god who’s probably really angry now because Chuuya hadn’t kept his promise.
“Dazai,” Chuuya manages to gasp out. “I have to go back before nightfall.”
Fyodor curses and he scoops Chuuya into his arms. Kouyou rushes out of the cottage just as Fyodor places Chuuya in the cart.
“What’s wrong?”
“He has to go back before nightfall,” Fyodor explains.
Kouyou’s eyes harden in anger as she boards the cart as well. She cradles her brother’s head in her lap for the journey, frustrated in her inability to ease his pain in the slightest.
“I’m sorry,” Chuuya manages to get out once they’ve arrived, and Kouyou shakes her head, tears in her eyes as she holds her brother close to her. She can’t enter the underworld but she doesn't know how Chuuya’s going to manage getting there by himself with that headache. Her question is answered when a tall man with rusty red hair walks over to them.
“Odasaku…”
Kouyou looks reluctant to let go of her brother but at the same time there’s a resigned acceptance in her eyes. Oda apologises softly as he carries Chuuya in his arms. He nods at the humans before bringing Chuuya to the boat, and it’s only when they reach the gates that Chuuya’s headache subsides.
Dazai’s waiting with Rashoumon and Akutagawa at the entrance and he doesn't look the slightest bit pleased. Oda’s about to go and pacify him when Chuuya jumps out of the boat and storms up to Dazai. Anger emanates off him in waves, and even Rashoumon backs away slightly as Chuuya approaches.
“How dare you!” Chuuya hisses.
“How dare I?! How dare you! I gave you one condition. One! And you failed to comply.”
“I lost track of time! In case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t seen my friends and family in months! And regardless, that’s after the fact that you fucking poisoned me!”
“So what? I upheld my end of the bargain and you didn't! And that was insurance. How was I to know that you would really return?”
“Like you care! You abducted me the first time; you can always do it again!”
“That’s not the point! The point is you lied to me!”
“You poisoned me!”
“It wasn’t exactly poison!”
“Really, Dazai! Because it sure as hell felt like it! Oh my god, that’s why you wanted me to have breakfast with you, you piece of shit!”
“Mind your words! I am the lord of the underworld, and you will show me respect!”
“Respect! Hah! Do you even know the meaning of that word?!”
“And do you know the meaning of integrity? I trusted you!”
“You clearly didn't because you fucking poisoned me!”
“Enough! Both of you.”
They fall silent only because Oda never shouts. Still, they continue to exchange glares. Chuuya’s the first to break his gaze and he stomps off to the bedroom. Rashoumon whimpers and licks him as he passes the hound, and the redhead only pauses to pat him before he leaves. Dazai glares at his dog and Rashoumon scurries away with his tail between his legs.
With a huff, Dazai makes to follow after the redhead but his path is blocked by Ango. He raises an eyebrow.
“Give him some time alone,” Ango says.
Dazai gapes at his friend. “You are kidding me.”
“No, he isn’t,” Oda says firmly.
“This is my house! That’s my room!”
“Dazai,” Oda says softly with a sigh, and Dazai hates that he has a soft spot for that guy.
“Fine.”
It’s not like Dazai doesn't have a thousand other rooms anyway.
Chuuya’s still in a bad mood in the morning, and they spend breakfast glaring at each across the long table instead of actually eating anything. Dazai grabs Chuuya’s arm harshly and yanks the redhead close to him when the mortal tries to leave the room.
“You do not get to treat me like this,” Dazai hisses.
“And you do?” Chuuya asks, his voice cracking on the last syllabus, and that’s when Dazai notices his red-rimmed eyes that are swollen in sadness. It pricks at his heart uncomfortably in a way that is completely foreign. He doesn't like it and he doesn't know what to do so he settles for glaring at the human.
“I do,” he eventually says, “because I’m a god, and you’re a mortal. You should be glad I even set my eyes on you.”
Chuuya laughs dryly. “You’re right, my lord.” And then he snatches his arm back and walks away, leaving Dazai feeling more hollowed than he has ever felt.
So of course he takes a leaf from Fitzgerald’s book and tries to find some comfort in the mortal realm but the other humans do not look as interesting as they once did, and Dazai returns to the underworld feeling a lot worse.
“He has ruined me,” he tells Ango and Oda as he drinks that night.
“You need to talk to him and apologise,” is all Oda offers.
It takes Dazai another three days to do so because his stubbornness is tougher to break than diamonds, but he eventually knocks on the door of his bedroom. Chuuya opens the door and his expression turns into a frown the moment he sees who it is.
Dazai would have flown into a rage at that if he doesn't notice how worn out his mortal looks. There are bags under his eyes and they’re tinged red. He looks skinnier and the uneaten tray of food explains why. His once radiant hair hangs limply around his face and the vibrant energy that once surrounded him wherever he goes is gone.
“You idiot,” Dazai says, anger seeping in his voice unwittingly, and he pulls Chuuya into a hug before the redhead can say anything. He breathes in the scent of the human, and feels calmer than he has in days although the weight in his chest remains as heavy as ever.
Chuuya is tensed in his arms but he eventually relaxes as he buries his face in Dazai’s neck. Dazai feels wetness on his skin and he closes his eyes in pain.
“I miss my sister, my mentors, my friends. I don’t think I can do this. Dazai, please…”
And Dazai hates how broken he sounds. Hates how he’s the one who caused it. He presses a kiss on Chuuya’s forehead before pulling away.
“Dazai, please…” Chuuya says as he chokes on the words.
He tries to make a grab for Dazai, but the god simply pushes him away gently. Dazai doesn't respond as he simply walks away. Each sob that echoes in the empty hallway breaks his heart into pieces.
*
Chuuya’s awoken in the morning by knocking on his door. He opens it and smiles tiredly when he sees Oda there.
“Let’s go,” Oda says.
“Where to?”
“Home.”
Chuuya’s eyes widen before he nods. Oda gives him a while to freshen up and change. Once they’re settled in the boat, Chuuya frowns at him.
“Won’t you get into trouble?” he asks.
“Dazai wouldn't do anything to me.”
Chuuya wonders how true that is but he doesn't question it. He knows that he should be excited that he’s about to go home, for real this time, but there’s a sense of unwillingness in his heart, one that only grows stronger when the boat docks at the riverbank.
“Odasaku…”
“Just go,” Oda says kindly. “You deserve your freedom.”
Chuuya bites his lower lip, and despite wanting to say more, he simply nods. He embraces the other before they bid their goodbyes. There’s a horse waiting for him and Chuuya rides it back to his village and despite being so happy initially, he can’t help but feel a poignant sense of loss and sadness. Even seeing Kouyou’s happy face isn’t enough to rid him of that feeling. Still, he puts on a smile and pretends that he’s fine.
It’s only when night descends that Chuuya sneaks out of his house and goes to the very meadows where Dazai had first found him. It feels strange to be there, and Chuuya knows that he should hate the place but the only thing he feels is still that aching loss. The grass rustles and Chuuya stands up immediately.
“Dazai?”
“Me, actually,” Fyodor says wryly, and Chuuya flushes slightly as he sees the knowing look in his friend’s eyes.
He flops back down onto the ground, unable to hold Fyodor’s gaze any longer. The other sits down beside him and the next few minutes pass in tense silence before Fyodor finally sighs.
“Do you love him?”
“What? What are you talking about? No. No, I don’t. Besides, I’m just his current plaything. He’ll soon find another more attractive mortal and forget all about me. That’s right. I’m just a pastime, and soon I’ll be out-dated. Why would I love someone like that? Fuck him and his godly rights.”
Unexpectedly, Fyodor scoffs, and Chuuya turns to his friend in indignation.
“If only you could hear yourself.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Chuuya, you sound jealous.”
It’s Chuuya’s turn to scoff, except that he doesn’t do that so much as he starts laughing uncontrollably instead. The idea is absurd. Jealous? In love with Dazai? That self-righteous, self-entitled asshole of a god? No. No fucking way. But then Chuuya thinks about never playfully bantering with him again, never spending hours in the library as they read in companionable silence again, never listening to Dazai patiently explaining to him things that he didn't understand from Pushkin’s lessons again, never being held in Dazai’s arms again at night again, never waking up to see tender hazel-tinged-crimson eyes again, never feeling the other in him again, never being cared for so gently again, never being looked at as if he’s the only one that exists in the universe again, and… and imaging that affection being given to someone else… Chuuya only realises he’s crying when the tears hit his hand.
“Fuck.”
Fyodor doesn't say anything, just puts a comforting arm around Chuuya as he silently cries.
They don’t notice the men who are silently creeping up on them, and it’s only when a man lunges onto Chuuya that the two friends notice that they have company. Chuuya manages to throw the man off him but he makes the mistake of glancing over to Fyodor and is tackled to the ground once again. His eyes widen when he sees that the man has a knife and he freezes in place. He can hear Fyodor calling his name distinctly but it feels like he’s a part of a separate reality as he watches the knife slowly descend upon him.
“You monster! You’re clearly practising witchcraft or dark magic. How could you have cured Goncharov otherwise? Kidnapped by Dazai? What a joke.”
The knife never makes contact, and before Chuuya knows it, the man has been thrown off him. Arms encircle him, and Chuuya looks up to see concern beneath thinly veiled anger in familiar magenta. Warmth rushes into his heart, and Chuuya reaches up to cup Dazai’s face.
“Dazai…”
“Silly mortal,” Dazai says.
Chuuya’s eyes widen as he hears the man charging towards them.
“Dazai – ” he cuts himself off when he sees the amused glint in Dazai’s eyes. Right. The man’s a god.
In the next second, Dazai has the assailant’s arm in a tight grip and the man’s eyes widen in terror when he sees exactly who it is.
“Da- Da- Dazai…”
“Exactly right. How dare you attempt to take his life?”
“I- I- ”
Chuuya’s eyes widen as he sees Ango walking towards.
“No, Dazai, no. You can’t kill them.”
“They tried to kill you!” Dazai roars.
“I – ”
Dazai turns away from Chuuya, clearly unwilling to listen to more. The men start begging for their lives as they no doubt realise what’s about to happen. Dazai is indifferent and he simply lets go of the man and leaves Ango to do his job.
Chuuya stays limp in Dazai’s arms as he watches the man die, die because of him, and when he turns to Dazai, he realises that there isn’t a hint of remorse in the god’s eyes.
“Why?” he asks.
“I won’t let anyone hurt you,” Dazai says simply.
Chuuya doesn't know what to say, doesn't know what to feel. When Ango is done, he walks over to Dazai. He spares Chuuya a sympathetic glance before nodding at Dazai. Chuuya hears Dazai sigh softly and feels the god tensing, and he finds himself thinking, please, say something, ask me to go with you, but Dazai merely presses a kiss to his temple before standing up.
“He didn’t want to, but he let you go,” Ango whispers softly to him.
Chuuya’ eyes widen at the words, but when he turns around, they’re gone and he’s left alone with Fyodor.
*
“You should look for him.”
Chuuya glances up at Kouyou, a confused expression on his face.
“Dazai.”
“Huh- what…”
“You’ve been miserable ever since you’ve been back. You think I haven’t realised?”
“Kouyou… I…”
Chuuya doesn’t know what he wants. It has been a week since those men had died and the villagers had made their peace with it. Apparently, those men hadn’t been secretive about their grand plan to kill the “witch”, and their death almost certainly proved that Dazai really is involved in this picture, and no one really wants to mess with the most feared god.
And Chuuya feels like a terrible person because while he mourns the deaths of those caused by him, he still cannot help but long for Dazai. It’s pathetic and he feels like a sinner.
Kouyou sighs and sits across his, taking his hands in hers.
“Love is love, Chuuya. You can’t force it; it just happens.”
“I know…”
A knock comes at the door, and Kouyou leaves him to answer it. Chuuya’s more than surprised when Oda strolls into his room a second later, looking so comfortable in the mortal realm that no one would doubt him if he says he were a human.
“Odasaku… how’s Dazai?” it’s the first question out of Chuuya’s mouth and he doesn't even realises that’s exactly how much he has been thinking about the god until the words are out.
Oda smiles lightly and takes a seat next to Chuuya. “Depressed. Pining for you.”
Somehow, that makes Chuuya’s heart flutter and a smile unwittingly forms on his lips. “Is he now? Wouldn't he just find another human toy?”
“He tried – ” Chuuya feels a lump of sadness growing in his heart “ – but he couldn't. He wants you, Chuuya. He loves you, even if he can’t say it.”
Chuuya blinks a few times. Dazai loves him. Dazai loves him. In that moment, all things fail to matter, and Chuuya doesn't care if that makes him a terrible person. Dazai loves him.
A sly smile slowly appears on his face as a solution comes to him.
“Take me to him, please.”
Chuuya doesn't even have to cross the Styx because Dazai’s waiting for him at the riverbank. He looks like he wants to pull Chuuya into his arms immediately but he simply remains impassive and waits as the mortal walks to him. Chuuya resists the urge to roll his eyes. Prideful swine.
“I get to go back whenever I want and I get to stay as long as I like.”
It’s really satisfying to see Dazai’s face slowly morph into one of surprise. Chuuya hadn’t thought the god capable of such a reaction, and he feels really proud to have been the one to draw it out of him.
“… Huh?”
Chuuya tries not to laugh. He keeps a straight face as he continues, “and no poisoning me. I swear to… well, no one, but if you ever do that again, I’ll leave you.”
“… Chuuya…”
“And – ” Chuuya inhales sharply “ – and if you get bored of me, fine. Just don’t… just don’t let me know, and – ”
He gets cut off as Dazai pulls him into a kiss. He falls into the kiss easily and he realises just how much he has missed this stupid god as he feels his lips upon his.
“Never,” Dazai says fervently as he pulls away. “There’ll never be another.”
Chuuya doesn't get to respond as Dazai turns to the river.
“I swear by it.”
Chuuya’s eyes widen and even Oda looks surprised. Making an oath by the Styx… Dazai wouldn't die if he breaks it, but he would be as good as dead for at least a year… Chuuya’s heart swells with a happiness that he didn't think was possible.
“My heart is yours, little mortal,” Dazai says as he touches Chuuya’s face tenderly with the back of his hand.
Chuuya throws his arms around Dazai’s neck and laughs. “So is mine, you aggravating god.”
Oda mumbles a not so quiet ‘finally’, causing them to laugh, and as Dazai presses his lips to Chuuya’s forehead, Chuuya thinks that this lord of the underworld really isn’t as fearful as people like to think.