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Sleeping in on a December morning is bliss. Pure, unadulterated bliss. Minus degrees that freeze one’s joints and cold wind that stings in one’s face? Those can’t do anything while lying in a soft, warm bed.
Snow coating the streets and landing on one’s head, coloring hair and clothes white, melting and making everything unpleasantly wet! No, nothing like this can happen while lying in bed and letting the world be the world without any responsibilities or tasks. Blissful, wonderful silence-
BAM BAM BAM!
Dazai Osamu jerks upright, at once completely awake and completely disoriented. A moment ago, he has been deep asleep, dreaming of nothing in particular, just enjoying the moment and the fact that he has the day off and can sleep in. Why isn’t he allowed these little pleasures?
Groaning, he sits up, rubbing the remaining sleep out of his eyes. What time is it even? He wonders while blindly searching for his phone on the nightstand. And what exactly had woken him up that violently? Finally, his fingers brush his phone on the nightstand and the display lights up, showing him the time and blinding Dazai at the same moment. Another groan, this time much more closely to a whine. It is just shortly after 8 o’clock. On a Sunday! And Dazai is fully and awfully awake. So much for bliss.
And worst of all, now that he is awake, there is no way that Dazai can fall back asleep. Great. Just fucking great. No, scratch that, it can and will get even worse. Dazai scoffs at the notification illuminating his phone and sitting there proudly and mockingly.
Don’t forget our appointment at noon. I look forward talking to you, Dazai-kun~!
How can a person be so cheerful in the morning? And lie in the first two sentences directed at him. Mori is definitely not looking forward to seeing Dazai nor talking to him. Nowadays talking to his ward rather compares to a business meeting at best and a powerplay assessing Dazai’s current situation at worst. But obligations are obligations and there is no way that he can get out of this.
Dazai would love to at least forget about this a little bit longer and replenish his energy with some much-needed sleep. But something or rather someone decided to not even grant him this little pleasure. Ah. He had that train of thought already, hadn’t he? A muffled shout from next door stops his musing anyway. That someone decides to be annoying again today. Most likely drunk and just getting home. Hopefully the Chibi doesn’t decide to renovate in the early morning hours again…
Oh well. Since he is awake anyway, he can start the day while indulging himself a little bit. A long hot shower will be a good start. Then: Food. Dazai is sure as hell that Mori has arranged their little get together at a place way too fancy and with food that is not at all to his liking. Another groan. What one does for ‘family’, huh?
After a long shower and a nutritious and wonderful late breakfast consisting of his last serving of canned crab – the day gets worse and worse, now he has to go shopping – Dazai is ready to leave for the worst lunch of his life (at least till his next lunch date with Mori, which will then be labeled as the new worst lunch of his life). He stares at the wall in his corridor of which he knows that it is the only separation between himself and the perpetrator who has stolen his much-needed and wonderful sleep. And after the noises have died down roughly an hour ago, who is surely deep asleep.
With a big grin Dazai joyfully and very loudly bangs on the wall. “Good morning Chibikko!!! What a wonderful day! I hope you have a wonderful morning~!” A frustrated scream answers him. Definitely the best possible answer. With a joyful hum, Dazai is on his way. At least a little bit goes for him today.
As expected, the restaurant where he meets Mori is overpriced, way too fancy and just not to Dazai’s taste. The company is even worse.
After exchanging some fake pleasantries (“It’s SO nice to see you Dazai-kun! Did you decide to wear more bandages today?” “The pleasure is all mine, Sensei! Even though you surely would have preferred to spend the day shopping with Elise-chan, huh?”) and ordering their menus, Mori soon cuts to business.
“So. Dazai-kun, the reason for inviting you over is our annual Christmas party for the company, as you surely know.” The slight emphasis on the word company goes unnoticed by everyone not paying the closest of attention – or without Dazai’s intellect if he may say so himself. Of course, he knows what Mori is implying.
Their annual Christmas party is indeed purely business. But instead of your average company party with drinking cheap beverages and stupid games, mafia parties have style. High class guests along with the finest of wine and dine. The best opportunity for business deals and the forging of new bonds. And as the all but official heir to the Port Mafia, Dazai has his own obligations.
Dazai takes a long sip of his drink – whiskey because why not, he needs some distraction from Mori’s piercing red gaze – and cuts right to the case. No need to dance around the topic any longer; maybe he can even leave early after shutting down this non-discussion.
“Oh I know, absolutely. You want me to meet a lovely missy who is suitable as the Port Mafia’s heiress and preferably with important connections to a leading family.” Mori’s smile deepens. Bullseye. “I can tell you right away, not gonna happen. I love them ladies and if one of them decides to join me in a beautiful double suicide I would be more than happy, but this will not happen this Christmas nor the next or even in five years. My answer is no.” Dazai grants him a deep smile in return. As if he lets himself be pressured into something like this.
The smile on Mori’s face gets considerably more shaky and fake by the second. He clearly hadn’t expected such a clear refusal. Mori isn’t used to any kind of refusal.
Propping his chin on his hands, he gives Dazai an intrigued once-over. “I really don’t understand, Dazai-kun. While your habits and character are quite… particular, you certainly have the charm and looks. Notwithstanding your intelligence of course. I would’ve thought you more astute in this matter.”
Holding Mori’s gaze is a hard task Dazai has mastered years ago. “I’m not sure what you’re implying Sensei. I’m fine the way it is.” He knows what Mori will say next and he dreads it.
“But Dazai-kuuun.” Don’t say it. “I’m just wondering. And worrying actually since you never seem to be in a relationship.” Here it comes.
“Please don’t say it.” Dazai still smiles but he knows that he’s not getting out of this now.
“When will you finally bring home a nice girl?” It’s nearly a whine. Mori Ougai doesn’t whine. Dazai’s face falls, unable to hold up the façade anymore, this is something he really didn’t want to hear out of the mouth of his mentor.
There is a high possibility that he’ll disinherit himself with his next words and Dazai can’t even muster up the strength to care anymore. This talk about finding a girl to marry has gone on for too many years of Dazai’s youth and he wouldn’t bet on Mori not presenting him a fiancée out of thin air when he doesn’t clear things up now and for all. Mori won’t make a scene at a high class restaurant, right? Maybe he’ll finally be granted the sweet embrace of death very soon but he preferably doesn’t want to be offed by a Port Mafia sniper if it can be prevented.
He lets out a long sigh, putting his drink down gently.
“Never, Sensei. I’m gay.”
It speaks a lot for Mori’s professionalism that his smile doesn’t waver and that he keeps up his façade perfectly. Only a light glimmer in his eyes as well as a slightly cocked eyebrow give away the rapidly rushing thoughts and plans he has in mind right now. He surely will come up with a new plan in mere minutes. For now, he yet has to say a word.
Slowly, Mori cocks his head to the side, a questioning look in those eyes that never leave Dazai’s own. “And when will I meet the lucky man that has stolen your heart?”
Dazai blinks. This isn’t the reply he expected. And why does his mentor assume that he has a boyfriend? Nothing in Dazai’s confession even comes close to such a statement, in fact he is very much single and-
“Ah!” Mori claps his hands. “You should bring him to our Chrismas party! I’m sure everyone wants to meet such an intriguing lad who has managed to finally tame Dazai Osamu!”
The connotation of this statement along with the now cold smile the older man directs at him makes it clear that Mori only aims to humiliate Dazai in the most public way. Either he is counting on Dazai not having a partner at all and thus showing up at the party alone or he expects to destroy whoever Dazai decides to bring in the most subtle and cruelest way, and by that putting down his ward as well. Nothing else to be expected from such a cunning snake.
But two could play this game. Mori wants a boyfriend? He will get one.
Dazai’s smile is radiant. “What a wonderful idea! He- no, we both would be delighted.”
That only leaves one big problem. The would-be boyfriend who is apparently oh so delighted to be invited to such a prosperous event.
While shopping for food and later on his way home Dazai racks his too-smart brain for any possible person he could bring to the party with him. His initial idea was to bring Atsushi with him but then Akutagawa would possibly make a very public scene – if the idiot hadn’t invited his crush himself already. His other friends aren’t many options either, they are either in a relationship themselves (Kunikida), forever single (Ango) or an absolute no-go option (Odasaku).
He also can’t ask any random guy he meets in a bar or contact an escort service, Mori will crush them.
In general, the person Dazai will bring has to have two certain character traits:
- He needs to have a strong character and a certain confidence/arrogance so that he doesn’t break under Mori’s scrutiny or the pressure of being at the center of everyone’s attention at such a classy event (it is a company party, of course the boyfriend material mustn’t know about the whole mafia business).
- He needs to have an utterly repelling and off-putting character. Instead of Mori humiliating Dazai, Dazai wants to turn it around, aggravating his mentor by scandalizing everyone with a not appropriate partner for the Port Mafia heir. Dazai might be long out of his rebellious teenage years but with the subject of his sexuality Mori has attacked something way too personal.
Reaching his floor while searching for his keys, Dazai still hasn’t found an answer to his problem. Who could possibly accompany him? There is no one with those character traits he knows. No one-
Dazai stops dead in his track, hand held over his door handle, loud music interrupting his thoughts. Slowly he turns towards the source of the ruckus. Actually… he might now the perfect candidate for this.
“Oi, Chibikko!” He bangs on the door to be heard over the blasting music, “open up!!”
“You want me to do what exactly?” Nakahara Chuuya growls. Yes, Dazai smirks, he is truly the perfect candidate.
“To play my boyfriend for my company’s annual Christmas party.”
“Fuck off.” Yes. He’s perfect.
Dazai has been living next to his short redhaired neighbor for roughly one and a half years but he has only spoken to him in earnest all but two times. Their other conversations usually consist of banging on their adjoining wall in anger and loud shouting matches in the corridor over blasting music and renovating in the middle of the night.
It is all Chuuya’s fault of course.
For one, Chuuya must have the world’s weirdest sleeping schedule. He gets home late at night or in the wee hours of the morning, usually makes a ruckus which more often than not wakes Dazai up – by now Dazai wholeheartedly believes that he’s doing it on purpose – and then sleeps for the rest of the day. Dazai is pretty sure that he doesn’t even have a job and spends his nights lounging in bars, doing god knows what. The many times Dazai has pounded on his door to demand from his neighbor to turn the music or whatever his uproar of choice was that time, he was met with a more than slightly drunk Chuuya who usually meets Dazai’s angry complaints with a mighty anger on his own. The days he spends sleeping away – and complaining when Dazai so much as makes a noise.
Chuuya is also very much broke constantly and scrambles for every little amount of money.
To sum it up, their relationship is complicated. Oh and Chuuya is an ass who can’t control himself with a temper that searches for a match and a vocabulary that even makes a Mafia executive blush like a schoolgirl. Thus being the perfect boyfriend material.
Now Dazai just has to convince him to play his part. “Chuuuuuya.” Dazai sighs deeply. “Chuuya, Chuuya. Chibikko. You see, it’s just pretend, you know? You don’t have to be my boyfriend for real. Just for one evening.”
Chuuya’s face twitches in annoyance. Another amusing thing about Chuuya: He gets annoyed/angry fast. Like real fast, especially once Dazai opens his mouth. “I’m not stupid ya know? I know what playing means. I just don’t see why I should help you out and- wait. You’re gay?” He sounds genuinely surprised.
“Not dumb, huh? And I’m pretty sure you’re not exactly straight yourself – those tight pants? A dead giveaway.”
Angering Chuuya is an highly amusing thing, Dazai muses. The scarlet blush that rapidly spreads over his face might be even considered cute from some perspective. Oh it will be so much fun, letting Chuuya and Mori meet will definitely end in a disaster.
Chuuya coughs. “A-and even if it were like this, why would I go to a party and pretend to be lovey dovey with you of all people? You’re not exactly prince charming. Not by looks and definitely not by character. You’re fucking nasty.”
“Ouch! How cruel! Is that our first lover’s quarrel?”
“Fuck off!”
This is getting them nowhere. Dazai sighs deeply and decides to drop the façade.
“Okay, then let’s talk business. I want you to come with me – and believe me I definitely have other options and I only even consider you because of certain circumstances – because I need someone who is gay, who can put up with the stuck up people at the party and,” Dazai grimaces because he has to admit that he himself might be a bit complicated at times and Chuuya definitely will tease him for this in the future, “and I need someone who can put up with me and has a certain backbone. I don’t need some pretty face fawning over me the entire evening because of my looks and wonderful character. I can just ask any kind of lady out for that. I need someone… strong.”
Dazai has to take a deep breath. This has to be the most he’s ever let anyone see inside his head and thoughts in years. And it really pains him to tell all of this to some... hoodlum like Chuuya. Who looks at him like he has yet to understand what exactly just came out of Dazai’s mouth.
Slowly Chuuya raises his hand in a motion to stop Dazai before he can say more. “Let me get this straight. You want me to act as your date because you’re out of options because you’re a fucking arrogant narcist who only loves himself and the attention?”
What the- how can Chuuya even misunderstand him that much? Dazai really has to reevaluate Chuuya in regard to his stupidity.
“No! You got it totally wrong! I want you to come with me to humiliate my family!”
Chuuya’s fist lands on the table with a loud bang, face contorted in hot rage. “I see. Then I hope you find another humiliating idiot who is ‘strong’ enough for you, asshole. I’m out!”
This isn’t going according to plan at all! Dazai has to act, now. In a desperate attempt he grips Chuuya’s wrist, effectively halting the shorter male from departing abruptly.
“I’ll pay you.”
He can’t see Chuuya’s face but Dazai is pretty sure that he tries to keep his emotions in check and stop himself from lashing out very hard. Good thing that Dazai knows exactly how to forge people to his every will.
“About how much money are we speaking?”
With the Port Mafia being one of the biggest operating crime organizations in Japan, it is to be expected that their Christmas parties also turn out to be quite the event. Of course, it is all being conducted under their business persona, but the who is who of the underworld knows what’s going on nevertheless.
As heir to the Port Mafia, Dazai has to represent his organization in the best way possible. That means putting on a charming mask (very easy for Dazai), looking gorgeous (even easier, Dazai is very proud of his looks after all) and making amiable conversations with everyone starting from possible females suitors to mafia bosses of rival organizations (easy but utterly boring).
Doing this charade for years now, he of course is sporting the perfect wardrobe for the evening, consisting of a tailor-made three-piece suit in mostly black with a dark grey vest. Not even the world’s fanciest party can lead to Dazai changing the carefully tousled style that is his hair though. Or the bandages he is still wearing underneath his clothes and that peak through once in a while when he moves. At least he is foregoing the bandages on his face this time. He has to keep close track on his companion for the evening after all.
Though he has to admit, as said person climbs out of their limousine, Chuuya does clean up nicely.
He has never seen the redhead in anything other than old band shirts or leather jackets before but the wine-red and black combination of his button-down shirt and shape-hugging suit jacket makes a nice contrast to his curled red locks.
He also added a bit of his own style which makes his appearance even more fascinating – and startling for the older generation of guests who will find his leather choker and gloves definitely off-putting. Perfect for Dazai’s plans. At least the hat Chuuya has been adamant about wearing is very much old-school mafia style and looks surprisingly good on him; not that Dazai will ever say that out loud, instead he is teasing him for it mercilessly.
“This is a respected company and this party is of utmost importance to my family and me. Could you please take off that atrocity you call hat and act like a respected person of society? I know it’s hard for someone with a brain of an ameba to understand but do me the favor.” Dazai lies while he escorts his date to the admission. Already starting the act, he intertwines his arm with Chuuya’s own.
“And for that comment I’ll wear my hat even more proudly,” Chuuya scoffs, allowing Dazai’s arm around him regardless of that. “Also, we both know I look good. I’ve seen you staring at my ass.” Chuuya’s smirk is infectious and Dazai can’t help winking at his partner.
“I’m just getting into the act already. By the way, did you know that nearly everyone regardless of gender looks smoking hot in a suit? Don’t think you’re all that great because I might’ve taken a peak.”
“Good for you that I always look ‘smoking hot’, huh?” True that. To his surprise Chuuya happens to be rather sharp witted and a good conversation partner on top of that. Dazai’s evening might go even better than planned.
Introducing himself and his date, Dazai leads Chuuya into the soiree. “Remember to behave yourself, especially while talking to business partners or anyone I’ll be introducing you to. You’re an old college acquaintance of mine from literature class and we rekindled when we met at the little café down the block from our apartment building. We’re not together for long that’s why I haven’t introduced you officially yet. Oh, and you’re the first partner ever I bring with me so be prepared for questions.”
“Yeah yeah, I got the memo and learned the script,” Chuuya rolls his eyes while handing his jacket to a waiting clerk. Walking into the main hall he has to suppress a whistle. “Wow. You said you’re from old money and all that shit but this looks like some Great Gatsby level of fancy.” Chuuya’s blue eyes are wide as he takes in the ballroom with the glittering chandeliers, the already occupied dancefloor and the lavish buffet.
Not able to hold in his chuckles, Dazai entwines their arms once more; Chuuya has the perfect height for holding onto your arm, he realizes. “You’ll be surprised, but there’s even an heir of the Fitzgerald family here. That’s the guy who wrote Gatsby, you know?”
“Again, I’m not dumb.” It is getting visibly harder for Chuuya to keep his angry reply silent enough not to be overheard. He is about to give an even more snarky reply but his eyes land on the nearest bar and he shuts up immediately, instead he decides to drag Dazai there.
Ah, yeah, the thing with the alcohol problem. Dazai has calculated that Chuuya will get drunk rather quickly and will embarrass himself and thus Dazai rather quickly, if all goes according to plan. If their recurring fights on their apartment floor are any indicator, Chuuya gets drunk rather fast and drunk Chuuya is brash, loud and hilarious. Dazai can’t help smirking when Chuuya immediately decides to order one of the more expansive wines they are serving for the evening. Of course red wine, his favorite. Anything about Chuuya is so red…
“Dazai?” Surprised, he glances at the smaller male who has cocked his head and looks at him in question.
Raising his glass, Chuuya motions to the bar. “I asked you what you want to drink? I definitely don’t wanna toast to myself.”
And that must be the other thing Dazai has heard about but he hasn’t confirmed for himself so far: Chuuya is a giant softy. Under all the bravado and tough exterior, he is apparently very kind and quite a people pleaser. Dazai is looking forward to how Chuuya will charm or put off the other guests at this party and especially how he is going to handle Mori.
Ordering himself a Whiskey on the rocks, Dazai raises his glass, lightly clinking it against Chuuya’s own and asks him what they’re toasting on.
“Eh, I just wanna drink. But yeah… we’re the hottest couple here by far. A toast to that!”
This time Dazai can’t help a real laugh breaking out, clinking his glass to Chuuya’s with a smile. “We’re the only couple under the age of 50 I think, there’s literally no competition.” Taking a deep sip Dazai sighs in pleasure when the alcohol burns down his throat.
Chuuya motions to his right. “Not quite, there’s also those two idiots.” He raises his glass to an approaching couple who Dazai knows all too well and acknowledges with a raised eyebrow.
“Akutagawa-kun! And you managed to bring Atsushi-kun as your date? I’m pleasantly surprised.”
That surprise is genuine, for Akutagawa actually managing to ask the white-haired youngster out is an incredible accomplishment for the brooding Black Lizard commander. Akutagawa Ryuunosuke is responsible for the rougher aspects of their work that are definitely not on the law-abiding side. He is rather commanding the mobsters and the special strike force that is the Black Lizard unit. He is basically the opposite of his rather timid and goodhearted date that is Nakajima Atsushi.
Dazai knows the timid boy ever since he came into the city a while ago and started working as a barista at a café that Port Mafia associates like to frequent (in fact it’s the very café Dazai has supposedly met Chuuya). And ever since then, Akutagawa has the biggest and most cringeworthy crush on the younger teen. Apparently he finally managed to spit it out. Or Atsushi just took matters into his own hands.
“Dazai-san!” Atsushi greets him warmly, slightly bowing down. So Akutagawa has explained what is going on behind the company façade and that this is a mafia party with Dazai as one of the most important players in the field.
“And you brought Chuuya-san, as a… date? I didn’t know that you were dating!”
Akutagawa finally approaches the group as well. “That makes two of us. I thought you had better tastes, Chuuya-san.” He slightly bows to Dazai as well before clinking his own glass to Chuuya’s still raised one.
Dazai raises an eyebrow. “And how exactly do you two know Chuuya?”
As far as he knows, Chuuya doesn’t have many friends, let alone is friends with someone as closed off and with particular tastes as Akutagawa. The only person he has ever seen the redhead associate with are a small stern looking girl of which he is pretty sure that she is Chuuya’s sister and a cold looking woman who he has met once when she left Chuuya’s apartment one evening. He is absolute certain that she wasn’t one of Chuuya’s affairs which are usually 100% male and not that good looking. She has regarded Dazai with a calculating look but hasn’t spoken to him at all. Other than those two and multiple affairs which Dazai easily hears through the way too thin walls, his neighbor hasn’t brought anyone over. Ever.
So how do Atsushi and Akutagawa fit into the picture?
“Ah, you see, Dazai-san,” Atsushi decides to explain, “Chuuya-san is a regular at our café. While you usually visit us in the early morning, Chuuya-san usually eats lunch at our place.”
That makes sense. And their made-up love story even more believable. He can’t help the jab at Chuuya though, pinching him in the side and muttering a low ‘Constantly broke, huh’ in his ear; he ignores Chuuya’s very visible shudder when his breath tickles the other.
“And you two?” Dazai decides to address Chuuya directly this time, he won’t get much information from Akutagawa of all people.
Chuuya pinches him right back. “I’m friends with his sister. I taught Gin one or two things and we began a friendship that extended towards Ryuunosuke as well. He makes wicked stew.”
If he doesn’t know that Chuuya isn’t one for lying at all, Dazai would’ve thought that he is making fun of him right now. Akutagawa… cooking? Said men’s red cheeks are a clear indicator that this isn’t made up. Hidden depths and all that.
Dazai has met Gin once or twice as well. Akutagawa is very adamant to keep her out of the Port Mafia business at least until she turns legal but last he heard is that Gin is the leader or Sukeban of a rather vicious girl gang. If Chuuya actually taught her Dazai has to look out for even more hidden depths than expected.
Sensing Akutagawa’s discomfort with this topic, Atsushi rushes to his aid. “And you two? Sorry if I sound noisy, but are you here on a date? I didn’t even know that you were gay, Dazai-san!”
Ah. Time to tell his story! Dazai breaks out into a smile before explaining his story, all while pulling Chuuya close with a firm grip on his waist. Before he can explain the rekindling element of their romance, Chuuya interrupts him.
“I couldn’t forget him even after college though, so I tried to get his number through some former classmates and just texted him. I surprised it worked out,” he fakes a bashful look and smiles slightly at Dazai, before dragging him off.
“Let’s hang out later you two. And we definitely have to drink: But right now, I’m dying to meet Dazai’s relatives!”
Chuuya quickly gets them another drink before waving off a beaming Atsushi and a still disgruntled looking Akutagawa.
“Why did you change the story?” Dazai demands after they are out of direct earshot. Chuuya has taken him by surprise here.
“You idiot. Atsushi works at the café, he kind of would’ve noticed us hanging out there. Apparently, you’re quite the genius, is the alcohol already getting to your head?”
For the umpteenth time Dazai blinks at his date, taken aback again. Not one of his dates has managed that so far. He might have underestimated Chuuya quite a bit here. Still, this wouldn’t come between him and his plans. Nudging Chuuya’s glass with his own, Dazai smirks at him and challenges him to take another gulp. If Chuuya is too smart while sober, then he just has to get him drunk before-
“Ah, Dazai-kun!” Well, fuck him. Mori is too early.
Holding Chuuya’s elbow in an iron grip that surely has to hurt and alert his partner that something is going on, Dazai turns around with a big and completely fake smile.
“Mori-Sensei! I didn’t expect you yet! And Elise-chan, it’s so good to see you~”
This is one of the main events of this evening. Introducing Chuuya to Mori; and his hellspawn by extension. Just to get the Port Mafia leader off his back, preferably once and for all. Now, his date has to excel himself.
Mori himself is wearing his standard business outfit instead of his preferred doctor’s coat. Nothing special here. His hellspawn aka Elise seems to have been his top priority instead, being dressed in a frilly and outrageous dress for such a little child. Mori definitely picked it out then. And/or Elise demanded it.
In hindsight, Dazai should’ve explained his relationship with his mentor to Chuuya instead of letting him walk in there blindly. He should have at least explained his family situation. But that comes much too close to the whole mafia thing and isn’t his main goal to let Chuuya embarrass them all? So he keeps his mouth shut.
Instead he bows deeply to Mori (not prompting his date to do the same, as expected by protocol) and makes a mock bow towards Elise. He might answer to Mori but definitely not to this monster of a child. Surprisingly, Chuuya hisses at him and takes Elise hand into his own. Going down on one knee, he slightly kisses her small hand, making her blush and giggle loudly.
“Dazai, did you forget that you always treat a lady first? No manners that guy, I’m embarrassed on his behalf,” he chides his date before turning his attention to Elise again. “I’m sorry mademoiselle, I tried to beat manners into him but I seem to have failed. You look absolutely gorgeous. Definitely the most beautiful lady at this party.”
If Dazai doesn’t know better, and he knows better because Elise is the devil in disguise and she is the true force of evil behind Mori, he would say that Elise is smitten and truly and utterly enamored by this little act of chivalry courtesy of Chuuya. She is still giggling and that is not a good sign at all. And with that all of Dazai’s plans seem to crumble in themselves because how can Chuuya be this charming?!
And then Elise has the presumptuousness to turn to Mori and say ‘I love him, let’s keep him, Rintarou’ that Dazai’s plans burn and crash altogether. If Elise likes him it’s all over.
And then Mori turns towards Chuuya, regards him with his deep calculating ruby gaze and greets him with a ‘And you must be Chuuya-kun, Dazai-kun has told me so much about you.’ Crash. Burn. Fail.
Dazai never told Mori about Chuuya. Not his name, not his boyfriend status, nothing. That means Mori got him figured out long before the ‘couple’ even arrived. And he prepared for it. Which means that Dazai is fucked and that Mori will definitely use his fake relationship against him.
Chuuya on the other hand keeps a straight poker face while he switches from holding Elise’s hand to shaking Mori’s, bowing deeply as Mori’s status demands.
“The pleasure is all mine, Mori-san. I also heard a lot about you, all positive things, Dazai deeply admires you as his mentor.”
Another fact Dazai has to keep in mind: Chuuya is an incredible liar. He seems to make up lies as he goes, even after already downing two glasses of wine and as Dazai’s calculations predict being at least slightly inebriated. The whole combination right now is highly explosive, Dazai has to take over the field, and that fast.
“Sensei knows that of course, Chuuya. I learned everything from him after all.” He is a great liar himself if he is anything. “And while you already know everything important about each other, I’d still like to introduce you to Chuuya formally as my boyfriend and the one who has caught my eye since a while ago.”
“Also the reason you ignored basically every young lady at this or any other party, isn’t that so Dazai-kun?”
Old bastard. “As I said, I am very much gay and utterly in love with Chuuya here.” He draws Chuuya close to him again which seems to amuse the redhead quite a bit. He at least plays his part nicely as well and leans into his touch, gazing at his date with a surprisingly enamored look in his eyes. Pure calculation of course.
And of course this is the perfect moment for the hellspawn herself to pipe up again. “You should kiss him then!!”
Elise is truly the worst and Dazai should’ve taken her input and actions much more into calculation instead of only focusing on Mori. The big grin she is directing at him is pure unadulterated cruelty and they both know it.
But Dazai is finally back at is game and he can deal with Elise and Mori if he just has enough mental preparation which he knows he has. Seemingly indulging Elise’s request, he slowly leans down towards Chuuya, acting as if he’s slowly closing in for a kiss. Chuuya’s radiant blue eyes gaze right back at him, in obvious challenge and… something else? Before Dazai can close the distance between the two of them, he directs his lips to Chuuya’s right cheek instead, kissing it slightly while putting as much love and sensuality in the small kiss as he can. Seeing Chuuya’s flushed cheeks and slightly opened lips that were clearly expecting something else, Dazai gives his partner a peck to his forehead and straightens himself again.
“While I would love to kiss my lovely date right now, I think it would be much inappropriate. For one, none of our… business associates know about my sexual orientation yet and I don’t want to upset them right now. Secondly, a mistletoe would make a much more festive location instead of in front of a child I consider close family and the man I respect of a father figure, especially after you just met Chuuya.” Third, while Dazai might consider kissing Chuuya in earnest right now and finds the prospect quite endearing, he definitely doesn’t want to do it right in front of two of the people he hates most in the world.
Before Dazai can make up a third reason to drop the whole kissing topic and hopefully get away from Mori and Elise quickly, Chuuya decides to act against their plans again. A hand around his tie draws Dazai down towards Chuuya rather roughly and the taller man is surprised to meet blown wide blue eyes that gaze at him with an emotion that Dazai can’t quite put into words. Some kind of mixture of shock and endearment and… lust? Dazai can’t tore his own gaze away.
“Then… we should find a mistletoe, shouldn’t we?” Chuuya smirks at him with that look again that makes Dazai’s heart skip a beat and that has been directed at him more than a few times this evening. And Dazai is totally and utterly smitten.
Before Dazai can make up an excuse towards Mori, Chuuya already takes his hand and bows lightly to Mori again, before excusing the two of them. “I am very sorry and I hope we can talk again later. Also, I highly hope that you will introduce me officially later on, it would be an honor to be part of your family. Right now though,” he directs a flirtatious smirk towards his date. “I’d rather do some other things.”
Chuuya’s charm is apparently an infectious thing, since neither Dazai nor Mori have an appropriate action let alone reply to them. Only Elise gives them a big toothed grin and a thumbs-up. At least they have her blessings, huh?
And this is how Chuuya drags Dazai to the corner farthest away from anyone Dazai knows more closely only to end up after a mistletoe after all (who even puts those up at a freaking Mafia party?). Chuuya smirks knowingly at Dazai and raises an eyebrow in obvious challenge. A challenge he has already won and he knows it.
“Thanks for the save?” Dazai smirks himself while he still holds his date’s hand and lifts it up.
“You’re very welcome. You looked very uncomfortable out there.” The redhead laughs. “I know nagging family but damn, you could’ve prepared me. That was some piercing gaze!” How Dazai has ever thought that Chuuya could embarrass him is beyond him now. The smaller man is more than capable of holding himself afloat in a tank of sharks.
“And that girl? Elise? Is she your sister or-“
“I’d rather not talk about my ‘family’ right now, I fear we have that coming once Sensei decides to out us formally. Just wait for it we still have a lot of meeting the family to do.”
“And what would you rather do then?”
Some other facts about Nakahara Chuuya: He is quite the challenge. Completely unpredictable and utterly exciting. And he has the bluest eyes Dazai has ever seen. And they are so close-
Dazai is suddenly bending down again, Chuuya’s chin slightly tilted up by his fingers and his redhead even moves to stand on his tiptoes. The mistletoe is innocently hanging over their heads.
A gunshot suddenly interrupts their would-be kiss.
Another thing about mafia parties: While the Port Mafia might be celebrating Christmas, their rival organizations might not do this and rather use it to their advantage. In fact, this isn’t even the first time a Port Mafia get-together is interrupted by a surprise attack.
As expected, literally everyone has their own guns drawn in mere seconds and is already up and about to dispose the ambushers. What really puts Dazai off guard though, is the fact that Chuuya is already rushing towards the next ambusher, knife drawn in hand, fist already prepared for a punch. (Dazai long has given up on counting the surprises Chuuya delivers this evening. He and Dazai will have a looong talk about this once the evening is over).
While Dazai calculates how much of a threat their rival organization actually provides, he quickly sees that there is no immediate danger for his or any life of importance.
Akutagawa’s Black Lizard makes quick process with most of the assailants in what must be Akutagawa’s highlight of the day, while Chuuya mows down anyone approaching in a surprising grace and simultaneous ruthlessness that has Dazai only having eyes for him. The only man daring to approach him quickly gets shot down by Dazai’s gun without the man actually looking. Chuuya’s performance is much more fascinating. How can you not fall for a guy like this?
After the disturbance is quickly shot down, the only victims are the party location and the Christmas spirit. Oh, and the party itself got postponed till indefinitely. What a shame. He still has to present Chuuya to everyone as his boyfriend. Dazai stares sadly at the torn down mistletoe that got trampled in the midst of action.
Chuuya joins him shortly afterwards, seemingly unscratched and not even out of breath. “Well. That didn’t end up as expected.”
Unhasty, Dazai reaches for his hand once-more which meets him halfway. “What did you expect then?” He lightly squeezes Chuuya still leather clothed hand.
“Hmm I expected alcohol and annoying to amusing company. And maybe something more.” Chuuya gives him that rousing smirk again. “I guess I got the former two things. Sadly I got interrupted before making my intentions for the third thing clear. What a shame, isn’t it?”
Although this evening has taken an entirely unexpected turn, Dazai really can’t complain. Apparently his evening might even improve. Chuuya really is full of unexpected wonders.
“Such a shame! Chibikko is used to disappointments it seems? It is my turn then to be a little light in your life~”
“Ah, finally the sarcasm is back. I was wondering where the bastard Dazai has gone.” There’s no malice behind his words, smirk still plastered to Chuuya’s face. With a new-found purpose, Chuuya begins to drag Dazai after him. “Time to show him some manners.”
And Dazai nearly makes it out without anymore interruptions but of course, since nothing this evening goes according to plan, Mori uses this exact moment to makes his glorious return. Unfortunately he and his hellspawn also seem to have stayed unscathed. There isn’t even a hair out of place on Elise’s head. Dammit.
Mori gives their joined hands a long deliberate gaze before he directs it at Chuuya instead of Dazai himself.
“Chuuya-kun, please give your sister my highest regards. I would love to meet her to discuss further steps to strengthen our ties with her Yakuza Group, now that our successors seem to have formed a bond.”
To Chuuya’s credit he still stays perfectly polite, amicably assuring the Mafia leader to talk to his Ane-san before dragging Dazai out into a starless night, grip on his hand only slightly tighter than before.
“Merry Christmas.”
“The Yakuza??” Dazai leisurely strolls next to Chuuya, keeping a certain distance between them while simultaneously trying to come closer. That earlier performance can only be described as hot. And may Dazai daresay? He is utterly smitten.
Chuuya hums. “The Awakusu-Kai branch in Ikebukuro. We’re not hotshots like the fucking Port Mafia but we’re cleaning up nicely.”
A Yakuza brat. Who would’ve thought. Chuuya turns out more interesting by the second.
Some things leave Dazai wondering though. “How come you’re not working most of the time then? And how can you be constantly broke?”
Chuuya laughs – Dazai can’t help but stare. He has seen Chuuya’s fake laugh earlier, that one just couldn’t compare. “I’m only getting called in when there’s some really big trouble brewing up. Beating up some of the more dangerous gangs, negotiations with the other groups’ bosses. They don’t wanna bother me too much. Regarding the money part… Ane-san decided to keep me on a short leash until I take over. She says she doesn’t want me to get spoilt like some of the other heirs.” He gives Dazai a very poignant stare. “And what can I say, I have expensive tastes.”
Chuuya’s hand brushes Dazai’s while walking.
And Dazai stops dead in his tracks. The smaller male only notices after a few meters, turning around with a frown and a questioning ‘Dazai?’
Dazai for his part can’t help but stare, mouth gaping open. “Wait a second. Did you just say ‘heir’?”
Chuuya cocks his head, blinking. “Yeah. Got a problem? Right now my title is that of a komon but I’ll be the official kumichō once Ane-san steps down.”
An heir. Chuuya is a freaking heir. With important connections to a leading family. “Fuck me.” Dazai can’t believe his luck.
Ignoring Chuuya’s reply (“Gladly”), Dazai runs up to him, taking his hand once more with a light laugh and swings their intertwined arms ins a spring. He can’t help the full-out laugh that bubbles out of his mouth.
“What’s wrong with you now, idiot?” Chuuya grins, not minding the closeness or hand-holding.
“Nothing,” Dazai laughs. Earnestly. “Just that Sensei will love you and that you’d fit wonderfully into the family.”