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Dazai grunted, a dull pain throbbing in his knuckles. His mind went over the movements he needed to execute the hit perfectly, but when he tried, it didn’t feel quite right. He breathed out and repeated the movement. It was all muscle memory, right? He just had to go through it enough times and his body would remember it.
His lids dropped and he squeezed his eyes shut, blocking out the tiredness seeping through his bones. Even the soft moonlight peeking through the floor to ceiling windows was beginning to irritate his stinging eyes.
It was still hard to understand how people found joy in this. His limbs felt heavy and his arms ached. Dazai had never put in more than the bare minimum before, but the restlessness wouldn’t leave him.
It was disconcerting.
It was all too easy to remember how the ice had filled his veins that night. He’d been slammed into the ground, but had barely felt the impact. His lungs had burned when the air had been forcefully pushed out - he’d barely felt that too. He’d trashed, trying to get himself free from the weight holding him down, stopping him from moving.
He had twisted, shoulders straining as he tried to tug his arms free. The man had grunted something behind him but all Dazai could see was the blood dripping from Chuuya’s nose. Corruption’s crazed laugh had been cut off with a wet cough and Chuuya’s body had hunched over, more blood spilling from his lips. Dazai had renewed his struggle, painfully aware that he had to get to Chuuya before it was too late.
The helplessness spreading through his veins was something he never ever wanted to feel again. He was supposed to be in control. He should’ve predicted everything, yet an enemy had managed to get in his way when he’d been rushing in to stop Corruption. He hadn’t expected anyone to stick around, since Chuuya’s corrupted form usually send them scampering away. He should have known better.
It was one of Chuuya’s gravitational bombs crashing nearby that had given him the opportunity he needed to wrench himself free and roll away. Unfortunately, the enemy had recovered quickly and Dazai’s gut exploded from a well placed kick. It was pure luck that he’d managed to blink out the stars out of his eyes and spot a gun lying on the ground next to him.
In the end he’d managed to shoot the man and drag himself up to nullify Corruption but those precious minutes he’d been pinned under the enemy and unable to reach Chuuya were the longest of his life.
His mind had replayed the moment after they’d gotten back. Over and over. He’d analysed it from all angles and his weakness had been too glaring for Dazai to let it be. He needed to improve his hand to hand skills because Chuuya might not survive a repeat.
His fist hit the punching bag again and he exhaled as he retracted his hand.
He couldn’t risk his partner like that.
-x-
Dazai found himself at the gym again the following night.
And the night after.
Getting into the now familiar warm up routine was becoming a habit. Despite the sluggishness of his limbs he willed them to move. The lack of sleep was beginning to get to him, but he planned to make up for it by taking a nap instead of doing his paperwork. Since all of it was way overdue, if it landed on Chuuya’s desk and he was too much of a workaholic to ignore it, it was nobody’s business.
Besides chibi was partially at fault for this, he should take his share of responsibility. It was only fair.
It also wouldn’t be the first time Dazai had to survive on catnaps. It probably wouldn’t be the last time either. It just came hand in hand with the line of work he’d gotten himself into.
He gritted his teeth and started the sequence over.
He was working on assumptions that he was executing everything correctly but there was no way to tell unless he got someone to spar with.
Getting someone to train with him had crossed his mind but the idea had been quickly discarded.
The men under him were not an option. As terrified as they were from him, they were still mafia members and showing them even the slightest weakness would have them circling him like sharks smelling blood. He didn’t want to give the wrong impression. It was for their own good. His own too. It would be too much of a bother to get rid of someone because of their big mouth.
The executives were not an option either. Ace was even more pathetic than Dazai at hand to hand and Dazai would rather eat glass than ask that worm for help. Kouyou was... Dazai suppressed a shudder. No thanks. He’d rather do this alone. He might have a death wish, but he’d like to avoid pain at all costs.
Maybe he could ask Hirotsu-san.
No. Dazai shook his head. Hirotsu knew enough to understand what Dazai’s motives might be. Asking him for help would mean admitting that he had been disturbed enough, worried enough to do something about his admittedly low aptitude for fight techniques.
Hirotsu had been the one to come extract them from the destroyed building.
Which also meant that Mori would know too. He was sharp enough to put it together and Dazai didn’t doubt for even a second that the man was already suspecting something. He’d been anything but subtle while shooting amused looks his way all throughout the meeting today and Elise had been hovering close with a broad grin. Chuuya had noticed too. He’d shot them a curious look before he had scrunched up his nose and gone back to listening to the presentation.
And Chuuya. If he got someone to help him, rumour would inevitably make its way to Chuuya.
First the redhead would tease him which Dazai didn’t mind all that much. He could allow Chuuya to have one on him once in a while, it kept things interesting. That was the smallest part of the problem.
Dazai was very much aware that Chuuya would just need a few seconds before he’d see through everything. Ever since the very beginning of their partnership Chuuya had shown an uncanny understanding of his plans without any previous training. Dazai only needed to leave one clue and Chuuya would go along with the appropriate action for the plan to work out flawlessly. The corners of his lips twitched.
Dazai had spent much time observing and learning Chuuya’s every reaction because chibi was just too interesting. And because it was curious that they worked so well together. Even back in the beginning of their partnership.
He made his way to the punching bag he’d been abusing during the nights and got into a stance. His muscles tensed and he bent his knees ready to begin the kick routine.
“So this is where you’ve been, shitty mackerel.”
Dazai’s eyes widened and he stumbled to a halt. His eyebrows twitched in slight annoyance. Ah, today really wasn't his day. Chuuya finding him had been the exact thing he’d been trying to avoid. Why was chibi here? Maybe if Dazai annoyed him enough he’d just go away forget about it? It was a very low chance considering how stubborn Chuuya could get, but it was worth a try. And annoying the redhead was always the highlight of his day.
“Ah Chuuya, don’t you know that lack of sleep is one of the main causes of stunted growth?” He said, turning to face the redhead. He looked unfairly good in the dim light as he was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed in front of his chest.
The bruises had faded completely for which Dazai was secretly glad. Corruption was terrifying and captivating at the same time, but Dazai hated the ramifications for Chuuya’s body. The redhead always recovered, no doubt thanks to the god sealed inside, but neither of them wanted to know what the limit would be. Last time had come a bit too close for Dazai’s comfort.
“Fuck off!” Chuuya growled, snapping Dazai out of that particular memory. The glare Chuuya shot his way made a grin slide onto his face. Dazai relaxed and fell back onto the familiar bickering routine. The redhead counted back from ten to compose himself. Chuuya’s frown softened and his lips stretched into a slow smirk.
“I don’t want to hear that from you.” Chuuya said.
“The truth hurts, chibi.” Dazai said.
“I’m not the one with sleeping issues, asshole.”
“I’m just thinking of Chuuya since I thought you wanted to grow taller.”
“Ha! Thinking of me, my ass.” Chuuya’s voice dripped with sarcasm. His eyes travelled over Dazai’s frame and it made him shiver. “I still can’t believe I’m finding you here. That’s the last place anyone would look for you-”
“Why, couldn't sleep without me?” Dazai interjected, but Chuuya continued as if he hadn't heard him.
“-What? Finally accepted that you suck at something?” He wondered out loud. “Or are you actually sick?”
“Chuuya missed me! How cute!” Dazai exclaimed loudly.
“As if anyone would miss you!”
“Chibi is so cute when he’s in denial. I’m touched.”
“Touched in the head.” Chuuya shot back. “Why are you training alone in the middle of the night?”
It just had to come back to the reason he was here, didn't it? Dazai’s grin widened in an attempt to conceal his emotions, but he couldn’t suppress a twitch that gave him away. Chuuya’s eyes were too sharp to miss it.
Dazai realised his partner was too aware to have just woken up. Had he noticed the lack of Dazai on their floor and come searching? Warmth blossomed in his chest.
“Chuuya must be getting blind too.” The answer came out flatter than he intended. Oops. He really must be sleep deprived if he thought for a second that the mask would fool Chuuya. “It must be that ugly hat.”
Chuuya’s eyebrows rose and his lips parted slightly. A few seconds passed in silence and Dazai could just hear the gears in that pretty head turn. The chibi was his partner and knew Dazai better than anyone. The moment everything clicked into place, blue eyes widened and Chuuya’s mouth pressed into a tight line.
“Shitty Mackerel.” He gave a slight shake of his head, tone betraying exactly what he thought of his partner. Chuuya straightened, determination flashing into his eyes and he strode towards the brunette. He continued until he was right in front of Dazai.
Chuuya’s left leg slid back and he got into a stance.
“What are you doing Chibi?” Dazai asked, breaking the strange tension that had wrapped around them like a blanket.
“Helping out, moron.” Chuuya replied, “a sandbag can only get you so far.”
“Why.” It came out as a statement but both of them knew the answer. Chuuya’s eyes met his and the redhead decided to say it out loud.
“That’s what being a partner means, right?”