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Chuuya couldn’t stop pacing around the Triwizard Champions tent. It wasn’t that he was necessarily nervous per say. Chuuya didn’t get nervous. If anything, Chuuya lived off of the adrenaline that pumped through his veins right before he dove into something spontaneous. He wasn’t one to back down from a fight, after all.
And yet. He couldn’t deny that he was a little jittery. Competing in the Triwizard Tournament was quite a step up from competing for the quidditch House Cup.
That’s why Chuuya was pacing around. Not because he was nervous. But because he was getting himself hyped up.
It was probably this damn down time that was psyching him out. Chuuya just wanted to get out there. The first champion from Durmstrang had already finished her fight against the Chinese Fireball, and the second champion from Beauxbatons had just exited the tent for his fight against the Swedish Short-Snout, which left Chuuya alone to think about the Hungarian Horntail. How fucking exciting.
Chuuya ran over his plan again and again until something brought him out of his thoughts. There was a tall lanky shadow projected against the far ride side of the tent’s fabric walls. Chuuya squinted at it, vaguely aware that he should know what that shape was. And was it calling his name?
Chuuya huffed and made his way over to the black shadow. As he got closer, and could hear better, he easily identified the voice as one belonging to none other than Dazai Osamu.
“Dazai?” Chuuya whispered, trying not to bring anyone else’s attention to the start of this conversation.
“Chuuya,” Dazai called through the fabric, “It only took you an additional five minutes to come over here.”
Chuuya ignored Dazai’s insult. “What are you doing here?”
“Well, as Head Boy I get special privileges. I’m here to make sure you won’t screw up and give Hogwarts a bad name,” Dazai replied coolly.
“I take it you’re still mad at me?” Chuuya asked, feeling his heart drop a little that Dazai hadn’t come all the way here to wish him luck.
“Mad about what?” Dazai asked, feigning innocence. “Oh, are you referencing that you didn’t talk to me before you put your name in the Goblet of Fire and that you could literally die at any moment during these three tasks? Because why would I be mad about that?”
“Alright, I get it, I’m sorry,” Chuuya barked. “Happy?”
Dazai hummed on the other side, lost in thought. “Not particularly.”
“Why? Haven’t you been telling me to die for the past seven years?”
“Chuuya is so stupid. Of course, I don’t actually want you to die. Who would write my Charms papers if Chuuya died?”
“You, asshole.”
Chuuya paused. Wait. Did Dazai seriously slip in a genuine comment between two bullshit ones? And Chuuya just glossed over it? For fuck’s sake.
“Dazai?” Chuuya asked, a lot quieter, frown on his lips.
“Yes, Chibi?”
“If I do die, I want you to know-”
Before Chuuya could finish his thought, Dazai cut him off. “You’re not going to die. I came here to run through your strategy to ensure that doesn’t happen. I’m sure your current one is filled with holes.”
Chuuya smiled sadly. Leave it to Dazai to know how to cheer him up in the most backwards ass fucked up way possible.
It only took a couple minutes for Chuuya to relay his plan to Dazai. And then it only took two comments from Dazai to completely shatter Chuuya’s original ideas. For the next ten minutes, Dazai listed off strategy after strategy to Chuuya. In case this one idea didn’t follow through, there were about four others that may work. It was up to Chuuya’s judgement which to use depending on the situation.
Chuuya was incredibly thankful.
“Nakahara,” Headmaster Fukuzawa voiced from the opening of the tent, “You have five more minutes.”
“Thank you,” Chuuya called.
“Don’t I get a ‘thank you’ too?” Dazai asked, signaling he was still there with Chuuya.
“I don’t know. Guess we’ll see how this goes.”
Dazai didn’t say anything for a little while. Right as Chuuya was about to turn around and make his way to the arena, assuming that Dazai had also left, he was stopped dead in his tracks as a lanky body burst through the tent and threw themselves into Chuuya’s arms.
Chuuya barely had any time to react before he had a clingy Dazai attached to him. Chuuya wrapped his arms around Dazai’s waist and hugged the other man close. Instinctively he closed his eyes and savored the warmth. Chuuya barely acknowledged the large flash in front of him because of it.
“Do be careful,” Dazai whispered so only Chuuya could hear it. “The first champion nearly lost her head from the dragon’s flames.”
Chuuya squeezed Dazai comfortingly. “You think I’m worse than that?” He taunted.
“Quite the contrary,” Dazai replied, “I think you could win this whole thing. I also think that you are the most suitable person to represent Hogwarts. With my plans and your execution, I don’t think there’s any way you could fail.”
Chuuya felt like he was flying. He seriously couldn’t get over how incredibly tender Dazai could be when it was just the two of them. Chuuya felt so incredibly lucky that he was one of the only people that saw this side of Dazai.
Chuuya takes his back his previous statement, he doesn’t feel like he’s flying. He feels secure within Dazai’s arms. He feels more whole than he has in weeks, ever since his name flew out of the Goblet of Fire, and ever since Dazai stopped talking to him.
❄
Naomi slammed down yet another newspaper with yet another picture of Dazai and Chuuya’s arms around each other plastered on the front page. The headline read, “Hogwarts Scandalous Love Affair: Can a Slytherin and Gryffindor Stay Together?” At least it was tasteful.
Chuuya groaned looking at the same damn moving image. Whoever took the photo had managed to get the scene of when Dazai flung through the tent up until the point where Chuuya squeezed him close. It was so fucking intimate. Honestly, it was an invasion of his goddamn privacy. Chuuya really wanted to show the photographer a piece of his goddamn mind.
“Well isn’t this fucking great,” Chuuya said sarcastically.
“It’s been weeks,” Junichiroadded, “Can’t they leave you guys alone?”
“I can’t even leave this fucking tower without people ambushing me asking if I’m seriously dating that bastard,” Chuuya groaned, falling back against the couch.
Chuuya, Naomi, Junichiro, and Atsushi were all sitting on the couches in front of the fireplace in the Gryffindor tower. Usually Chuuya would be outside at this time. It was nearly sunset and Chuuya loved walking around the Great Lake as he watched the sun’s beams dance across the water.
Chuuya especially loved knowing that the sun was setting where something as powerful as a Giant Squid resided. It was calming. It was reassuring. That no matter how strong, how powerful, how impossible something was, the sun still set on it. A day could only last for so long, and it ended the same for everybody and everything.
(One time he had taken that walk with Dazai and Dazai commented that the red and orange stained water looked like Chuuya’s hair. Not that Chuuya thought about that. Nope. Not at all. He totally doesn’t remember the exact tree that they were sitting underneath and frequents there himself. Definitely not.)
But no. He hadn’t been able to take his usual walk in weeks ever since these rumors started. Everyone wanted to know. It felt like Chuuya had talked to everyone in the damn school, and then some because he had even gotten questions from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons visitors. Everyone except Dazai.
Chuuya had only seen Dazai during the two classes which they shared. And even then, Dazai slipped in and out so smoothly that Chuuya was convinced he was a literal snake. Chuuya could never share a word with Dazai. Which was fucking terrific.
“You know,” Chuuya added, “He’s the reason I can’t get a date to the Yule Ball.”
“Seriously?” Atsushi piped up.
Chuuya nodded. “I’m so fucked. I need a date too. But every time I ask someone, they either ask me why I’m not going with Dazai, say that they don’t want to compete against Dazai, or that they already have a date.”
Naomi smiled sympathetically at Chuuya. “Sorry,” she said, “I’d offer to go with you, but I’m already going with my brother.”
Naomi then lurched forward and on top of her older brother. Junichiro gasped, clearly scandalized, but didn’t really try to stop Naomi’s physical assault with anything more than light verbal protests.
Chuuya adverted his eyes, incredibly thankful that he was seated on the other couch with Atsushi. Naomi really didn’t sound that sorry at all. Which was fucking disgusting.
“What about you?” Chuuya questioned, “Would you go with me, Atsushi?”
Atsushi flinched at implication of Chuuya’s words. He twisted one of his hands awkwardly around the index finger of his other hand.
“I’m sorry, Chuuya, but I really don’t want to compete against Dazai,” Atsushi replied.
Chuuya waved his hand in exasperation, slapping it against his thigh. “Everyone keeps saying that! Why does everyone keep saying that?”
Atsushi seemed to contemplate his next words very carefully. “Dazai is incredibly scary when he doesn’t get his way.”
Well, guess that made sense. Dazai could be pretty fucking terrifying when he chose to be.
Chuuya deflated once more, back slumped against the couch. He was seriously running out of ideas here. No one wanted to attend this fucking dance with him. As Chuuya’s mind was whirling through the remaining people he could ask, he finally processed what Atsushi had said.
What the fuck did that mean?
❄
Another week passed by before Chuuya managed to slip out of the castle unseen. He was feeling ridiculously restless. Chuuya staying cooped up somewhere for too long was dangerous for everyone around him. Thankfully, a walk around the Great Lake helped soothe how antsy he was.
As Chuuya was walking he couldn’t help but get lost in his thoughts. He really didn’t know what to do about this dance. He had a week. One fucking week. Seven days. Everyone seemed to have a date, and even though Chuuya was the Hogwarts champion, no one seemed to want to go with him. It was seriously beginning to take a hit to his ego.
Subconsciously, Chuuya began to make his way over to his favorite tree on the bank of the lake. It was starting to get cold. There was a light dusting of snow all around him, and by the looks of the darkening clouds and the increasing wind speed, it would probably snow again tonight. Maybe Chuuya should head back soon.
However, when he rounded past a couple large trees, he spotted someone standing underneath his favorite tree. Was that...?
“Dazai?” Chuuya asked, tucking some loose strands of hair behind his ear, “What are you doing here?”
Dazai awkwardly balled up his fists and shoved his hands into his long black trench coach. He breathed out a long sigh as Chuuya made his way closer to Dazai, his breath coming out as a white steam. Only once Chuuya was standing directly in front of Dazai did he speak.
“I heard a rumor that you are in need of a date to the Yule Ball.”
Chuuya huffed and crossed his arms over his chest, closing himself off from Dazai. “Listen, if you’re here to tease me because I couldn’t get a date on my own, I can assure your arrogant ass that’s not the case. I didn’t even know I needed a date until two weeks ago.”
Dazai laughed and took a couple steps closer to Chuuya. “That doesn’t surprise me,” he replied. “You’ve always been a slow slug.”
“O-oi!”
“Relax, Chibi. I’m not here to patronize you.”
Chuuya snorted. “I find that hard to believe.”
Dazai raised his hands out from his coat and up into the air in surrender. “I’m actually here to offer my services.”
“What?” Chuuya asked, confused. Where the fuck was Dazai going with this?
Dazai sighed again, seemingly bored with this conversation. He took a few steps closer to Chuuya. Once Dazai was well within Chuuya’s personal space, and Chuuya showed no signs of backing away, Dazai placed one hand under Chuuya’s chin, angling his face upwards so he could look into Dazai’s eyes.
Dazai smiled lopsided at Chuuya. Chuuya smiled back, albeit a little more cautious. And here he was thinking that Dazai was still very, very, mad at him. Evidently not.
“I was wondering,” Dazai began, slight tremor in his voice. To anyone else, they may not have been able to hear Dazai’s anxiety, but Chuuya knew every single nervous tick Dazai possessed. “If I could be your date to the Yule Ball?”
Chuuya’s lips parted in awe. He had never seen Dazai so vulnerable like this. It was a beautiful look on him. Wind blowing his hair to one side, bangs swept to that same side, his cheeks pink both from the cold and his own blush. Oh, fuck, Dazai was blushing.
But still, Chuuya had questions.
“Why?” He asked warily.
Dazai chuckled and tucked more of Chuuya’s hair behind his ears. “I heard another rumor that you have a crush on me,” he explained.
Chuuya felt his cheeks heat up. He knew it wasn’t from the cold or the wind. He was just as embarrassed as Dazai was. Fuck, why couldn’t he handle emotions like a normal person?
“Who is your source by the way?” Chuuya asked, diverting the conversation. “It seems like they know far too much about me.”
“I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Are you going to kiss me then? And if you do, will you tell me?”
“I don’t know. Are you going to admit that you like me?”
“Tch, right after you admit the same thing.”
“Alright,” Dazai said, completely catching Chuuya by surprise. He didn’t think Dazai would actually do it. “Chuuya Nakahara, I have had a crush on you since our fifth year, when I saw you defend a first year Slytherin from a seventh year Gryffindor.”
Chuuya blinked up at Dazai, somehow even more taken aback then he was before. “You saw that?”
“Yeah,” Dazai replied, a fond smile appearing on his lips as he seemed to reflect back on the memory, “I knew you were a simpleton, but I didn’t think you would stand up against your own house.”
Chuuya shrugged, as if defending a Slytherin was the easiest decision in the world. “It was the right thing to do.”
“I’m sure,” Dazai hummed. “Now, my dearest Chuuya, isn’t there something you want to tell me?”
“Oh, right,” Chuuya said, shaking his head to remember his end of the deal. “Same for me. I like you too.”
Dazai’s smile completely fell off his face. All the light in his eyes vanished as he stared at Chuuya blankly. He looked completely and utterly unamused. Chuuya just beamed back at Dazai.
“I was hoping for something a little more romantic,” Dazai finally said, obviously hoping to try and coax Chuuya into elaborating on his feelings.
Well, if that’s what Dazai wanted, then he was going to get an honest confession. Damned if it wasn’t what he was expecting, or wanted to hear for that matter.
“You know,” Chuuya started, “You’re actually a pretty awful person. You always try and further yourself without disregard of others, you never listen to me, you always have to be right, and you always have to be in control. You are the exact type of person I should be running away from.”
“Okay, okay,” Dazai said, as he attempted to untangle his arms from around Chuuya, “Chuuya’s painted a perfect picture.”
“And yet,” Chuuya continued, moving his arms up to trap Dazai’s hands against his chest before he could run away, “I always feel safe when I’m around you. You make me feel indestructible. Like together we can do anything.”
Dazai’s eyes snapped back up to Chuuya’s. Everything from the light in his eyes, to the way his arms reached out to hold Chuuya around the waist, screamed that Dazai was just as happy as Chuuya. Dazai was practically glowing.
“So, do I get that kiss now?” Chuuya asked.
Dazai nodded dumbly and leaned forwards. Chuuya followed suit, even going so far as to stand on his tip toes so Dazai didn’t have to strain his neck. Right as their lips were about to touch, Dazai opened his big mouth once again.
“One more thing,” Dazai mumbled against Chuuya’s lips, “Does that mean you are accepting my invitation to the Yule Ball?”
Chuuya groaned in annoyance. This was the reason Dazai was teasing him? By asking a question he clearly already knew the answer to?!
“Aren’t you supposed to be a genius?” Chuuya huffed out. He reached his hands up to wrap around Dazai’s tie and pull him the rest of the miniscule distance forward.
The second Chuuya’s lips brushed Dazai’s, he completely lost himself in the kiss. And judging by the way Dazai reciprocated, he was just as gone. They only parted for air when Chuuya’s hair once again blew in front of his face and got tangled between their lips.
“You know,” Chuuya said, as he tucked his hair behind his ear for the third time in the past twenty minutes, “This wouldn’t be happening if you didn’t confiscate all my damn hats.”
“Chuuya,” Dazai gasped scandalized, “Hats are a violation to our dress code! What kind of Head Boy would I be if I didn’t uphold all of the traditions here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?!”
“What about your damn bandages?” Chuuya retorted. “Those cannot be within our dress code.”
Dazai hummed. “Well, I can make one exception, can’t I?”
Chuuya smacked Dazai’s arm. “Bastard,” he pouted.
“Chuuya,” Dazai repeated, excitement in his voice as if he just remembered something incredibly important, “You know, I am the Head Boy.”
“Yes, yes, I know. For fuck’s sake, you don’t need to keep rubbing it in,” Chuuya snapped.
Dazai chuckled darkly. “Chuuya’s not understanding. You do know one of the perks of being Head Boy is that I get a room all to myself.”
“Yes, Dazai,” Chuuya replied, getting fed up, “I know that.”
Dazai rolled his eyes. He raised his eyebrow, waiting for Chuuya to catch on.
“What?” Chuuya asked, clearly not catching on. “What am I missing?”
Dazai shrugged nonchalantly. “Nothing, nothing.”
Even though it clearly wasn’t nothing. Chuuya pouted. It was infuriating not being able to catch on to Dazai’s subtle hints. He was always like this too. Maybe Chuuya had made a mistake.
“It’s just that,” Dazai whispered, low into Chuuya’s ear, “Well, my room is away from the cold, and wind, and people.”
Oh.
Huh.
Well, Chuuya immediately took back his initial thoughts of dumping Dazai right on the spot. Looks like he was good for something other than just pestering Chuuya.
“Well why didn’t you just say so?” Chuuya asked, interlacing his fingers with Dazai’s and tugging him back towards the castle. “Honestly, it’s like you want me to get mad at you.”
“But Chuuya’s just so hot when he’s mad.”
“Oh yeah? Then I have no idea how you were able to keep your hands off of me for the past seven years. I can’t remember a single time when I haven’t been mad at you.”
“It has taken some serious restraint. You should reward me for my good behavior.”
“Shameless. You’re absolutely fucking shameless.”
Later that night as Chuuya and Dazai were lying together, legs and limbs tangled with one another, Chuuya once again decided to ask Dazai who spilled his deepest darkest secrets.
“Isn’t it bad to bring up someone else’s name after sex?” Dazai teased.
“Dazai, just fucking tell me or I will walk out right now,” Chuuya snapped.
To his credit, Dazai answered almost immediately. “It was Atsushi. He told me after dinner.”
Huh. Atsushi? Damn, Chuuya didn’t give that kid nearly enough credit. He mentally added buying Atsushi the biggest and best Christmas on his list of things to do.
❄
Chuuya was pacing around Dazai’s room. There was no way that Chuuya would ever admit that he was nervous about heading down to the Yule Ball. He had stared a dragon straight in the face and was still as calm and ready as ever. But this? Chuuya would much rather curl up under the covers and never leave.
He seriously didn’t understand the point of having to go. It felt like pure politics to him. Sure, dancing may be fun, but since it was a school organized event, and he was a champion so all eyes would be on him, it would be damn near impossible to drink. Therefore, making the dancing no fun. Therefore, therefore, meaning he had to talk to a bunch of people he really didn’t want to.
“Chuuya,” Dazai called from the ensuite bathroom, “Relax. I can hear you thinking from in here.”
“Tch,” Chuuya scoffed, “Hurry up then maybe!”
That was another thing. Dazai was his date. Oh fuck, Dazai was his date. Were they dating? Chuuya had no idea. They were way past enemies or friends or whatever they were before if the past couple nights were any indication. It had been over a week since Chuuya slept in his bed back in the Gryffindor dormitory.
But that didn’t mean he and Dazai were dating. Dazai had never formally asked him out after all, just offered to take him to the Yule Ball. Besides, Chuuya doubted that Dazai wanted anything serious with him. His adoptive father was the Minister of Magic Mori Ougai, and there was no way Mori would be okay with Dazai dating a muggle born. Even if that muggle born was currently winning the Triwizard Tournament.
Chuuya kept trying to tell himself that he would be okay with this being the last night Dazai would entertain their relationship, and then after this, things would go back to before. But, no matter what Chuuya said, it still hurt like a son of a bitch.
“Chuuya,” Dazai repeated as he exited the bathroom. He made his way over to Chuuya and cupped his cheeks. “I told you to stop thinking.”
Chuuya looked up into Dazai’s big brown eyes. They felt like home. Like the warm crackling fire in Dazai’s room which they spent last night cuddled around, talking about the dance. Chuuya felt safe and protected.
“Distract me then,” Chuuya challenged.
Dazai smirked and leaned down. “With pleasure,” he mumbled before taking Chuuya’s lips within his own.
Not that Chuuya was complaining about an impromptu make out session, but he was still acutely aware that they had a dance to get to in about fifteen minutes. Reluctantly, Chuuya pulled away and gave Dazai a clear once over. He was a little taken aback that Dazai was actually ready to go. And so early too. What the fuck was happening?
“You clean up nice,” Chuuya commented.
“So, do you,” Dazai replied. “I’m still a bit upset you didn’t want to go with the black robes with red accents.”
“I don’t know,” Chuuya hummed, taking the lapels of Dazai’s robes in his hands, “You look delicious in white.”
Dazai chuckled and placed his hands on Chuuya’s waist. “You’re one to talk. I can’t wait to eat Chuuya up.”
Chuuya had been the one to first suggest white. They were seriously running out of time a week ago, and Chuuya knew that Kouyou had white dress robes saved for him. He wasn’t as concerned about Dazai since he was ludicrously rich, he could buy whatever he wanted in no time. It had taken some convincing on Chuuya’s part, but he was really glad with how they both looked.
In addition to the robes, Chuuya had even put on a light smattering of makeup. Nothing too over the top, just eyeliner and some powder to make him look softer, but enough to make a difference. His didn’t dare try and mess with his hair too much, since it curled nicely around his ears at a level cut. Maybe he would grow it out one day.
As for Dazai, the only major thing he added to his appearance was tucking some of his hair behind his ear. Somehow that one small change made him irresistible to Chuuya.
Chuuya smiled and started to drag Dazai closer by his robe lapels. “We have time before we have to go, if you wanted to do something real quick,” Chuuya purred against Dazai’s lips.
“As much as I would love to fool around, I know you,” Dazai said as he extracted himself from Chuuya’s grip. Chuuya pouted, but Dazai interlaced his fingers with Chuuya’s just to make that go away. “I know that you’re going to use this as an excuse not to go.”
“Why should I?” Chuuya huffed, “It’s going to be a fucking borefest.”
“It won’t be that bad, I promise.”
“That’s because this is way more your scene than mine. Schmoozing is your fucking specialty.”
“Chuuya,” Dazai whined, “Don’t you at least want to show me off?”
“In your dreams.”
“If that’s all you think I do in my dreams with you there, you are sadly mistaken.”
“Disgusting. You’re so fucking gross.”
“That’s not what you said last night. Or two minutes ago for that matter.”
“Ugh.”
“Chuuya,” Dazai tried again, “Just give me one dance. I promise I will try and make it fun.”
Chuuya sighed. All he was obligated to do was start the first dance. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad. “Alright, fine.”
One dance turned into two, which turned into three, which would’ve turned into four had Chuuya not been cut in by Mori Ougai himself. Mori asked if he could speak to Dazai privately and Chuuya nodded numbly. He hadn’t expected the Minister of Magic to make an appearance tonight. Although, in hindsight, that should’ve probably been expected since the Triwizard Tournament was the biggest event happening in the Wizarding World.
So, Chuuya let Dazai be whisked away by his adoptive father, and then Chuuya slipped outside of the Great Hall. He hadn’t anticipated to say goodbye to Dazai nearly this early in the evening, but Chuuya supposed it was going to happen eventually.
Chuuya wrapped his arms around himself as he walked aimlessly through the halls of Hogwarts. He didn’t have a set destination in mind, just that he wanted time to himself to think.
Somehow Chuuya had ended up outside in the Quad. At least now he didn’t look so pathetic, hugging himself for warmth. Chuuya walked over so he was leaning against one of the low bearing walls. It was snowing, and by the looks of how much got stuck to his boots it had been snowing for a while. He barely seemed to register the snowflakes getting caught in his hair.
It looked beautiful outside. Even though he was quite a distance away from where the Yule Ball was held in the Great Hall, there was still garland hung on the outside of the marble archways, small evergreens located in pots within the cobblestone pathways, and soft Christmas lights giving the area a warm glow.
Chuuya would’ve been lost within his thoughts for hours if it wasn’t for a consistent slam of plastic against stone, getting louder and louder as time passed. Without looking up, Chuuya deduced that it was probably someone running from tower to tower.
“Chuuya,” The person exclaimed.
Chuuya knew that voice.
“Dazai?” Chuuya questioned. When he looked up, he was met with an out of breath Dazai. His cheeks were flushed, his hair slightly plastered to his skin, and he was clearly out of breath. “We really need to stop running into each other like this,” Chuuya added humorlessly.
Dazai chuckled. “What are you doing out here?”
Chuuya shrugged. “I told you, that wasn’t really my scene.”
“I know,” Dazai replied. “But we were having fun, weren’t we?”
Chuuya thought back to their previous dances. Dazai tried so hard to make him laugh, to make him feel like they were the only two people on that dance floor. He can’t believe that he was actually starting to have fun.
“What about Mori?” Chuuya asked instead.
“What about him?”
“Well, didn’t he come to tell you that he didn’t want you to be with a muggle born? Isn’t that why you’ve been avoiding me since after all those gossip columns came out?”
Dazai widened his eyes in understanding. “No, no, no,” he mumbled as he cupped Chuuya’s face and peppered kisses against Chuuya lips. “Chuuya, what Mori thinks will never impact my decisions. Especially when it comes to this.”
Chuuya stared up at Dazai in awe. “Really?”
“Yes, of course,” Dazai replied. “Were you actually worried about that?”
“It’s just that you’ve barely talked to me all year. At first, I thought it was because you were mad at me for entering the tournament. But then after all those newspapers came out, I thought you were avoiding me because you didn’t want to be anything more,” Chuuya explained.
“Chuuya sure is slow,” Dazai said with a chuckle. “Didn’t you think it was odd that no one wanted to go with you to the Yule Ball?”
“Well, I guess,” Chuuya trailed off, suddenly realizing what Dazai was saying. Finally understanding what everyone meant when they said no. “Oh my fucking God. You did not.”
“Oh,” Dazai exclaimed, suddenly seeming to remember something, instead of denying Chuuya’s accusation. He reached inside his robes and produced a medium-sized wrapped package. “This is for you. Merry Christmas, Chuuya.”
Chuuya eyed Dazai warily before taking the package. Just because he liked this bastard didn’t mean he had to trust him. Chuuya unwrapped the package and was met with a green and silver striped beanie. He raised his eyebrows, challengingly.
“Consider it a consolation for me confiscating your hats,” Dazai explained.
Chuuya held up the hat and chuckled at the offensive Slytherin colors. Nonetheless, Chuuya slipped the hat on top of his head. It was a snug fit. The hat covered his ears nicely while still giving room for his hair to peek from underneath. His hair also seemed a lot more secure, less likely to get blown around from the wind.
Dazai hummed. “You look good wearing my colors.”
“You’re a damn possessive bastard, you know that?” Chuuya teased.
Dazai laughed. “Can’t help it when I want to show Chuuya off as mine.”
Chuuya rolled his eyes fondly. He then moved closer to Dazai until he was nestled within Dazai’s arms, head resting on Dazai’s chest, listening intently to Dazai’s heartbeat.
A few minutes later, Dazai nudged Chuuya. Chuuya tilted his head so he was blinking up at Dazai. Wordlessly, Dazai pointed up at the mistletoe hanging from the marble ledge above their heads.
Chuuya huffed. “That wasn’t there when I got here, you know.”
“Huh, weird,” Dazai commented. “It’s almost like it appeared out of thin air.”
“What? Like magic?”
“Exactly~”
Chuuya tilted as far forward as he could until his lips were ghosting over Dazai’s. “You are so stupid,” he said before pressing a soft kiss to Dazai’s lips.
The kiss soon turned from soft and innocent to passionate and heavy. Dazai had to force himself away from Chuuya’s mouth in order to catch his breath.
“Merry Christmas, Chuuya,” Dazai breathed out.
“Merry Christmas, Dazai,” Chuuya repeated, before surging forward and capturing Dazai’s lips once more.
What a merry Christmas indeed.