Work Text:
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
Thick, black tar started oozing from Chuuya’s mouth. The mere drop of it was enough to slowly melt the surface where it landed. No, that’s not how it’s supposed to be or happen at all. That person in front of him is not Chuuya.
Chuuya is still vibrant even if he’s under Corruption, there’s still part of him that represents his humanity. But not this person in front of him. He doesn’t know him; he cannot see any tinge of light or sign that it is still him while looking at the person or creature in front of him. He cannot see the radiant Chuuya that’s full of life even if he’s surrounded by the darkness of the Port Mafia.
He became desperate and scared, two words and feelings that entirely foreign to him. He’s Dazai Osamu, he’s the Demon Prodigy of the Mafia. He’s ruthless and fearless, but what is this? What is happening to him right now? Why the sight of Chuuya like this in front of him sends shivers through every fibre of his bone? Why for some reason, he feels the helplessness he thought he’ll never feel.
For the first time, he’s unsure on what to do. He knows he must save Chuuya from himself as he’s about to exceed his own limit from using his ability. But isn’t he too late already? This is the first time this happened, and he clearly doesn’t know what to do.
He knows he wanted to save Chuuya, but will he succeed? Will his touch, even the slightest of it will be able to wake up Chuuya? Will it be able to give back his Chuuya? He doesn’t know, he doesn’t know at all. But he must try, so he ran and hugged Chuuya from behind. When his skin touched Chuuya’s, he started crying.
Dazai Osamu doesn’t cry at all. Heck, he didn't even cry when he heard from his own parents that they don’t want him back after the stunt he pulled with that suicide attempt. That's why he ended up under Mori’s ‘care’. He didn't even cry when he broke almost all of his bones when he failed yet another suicide attempt after he started working under the Port Mafia.
So yes, he never cries. But why he can’t stop the warm stream of tears that’s rolling down from his eyes? The touching of their skins sends him tremendous pain, but he can tolerate that. He started crying because he can feel Chuuya’s pain. He’s feeling the pain that Chuuya felt when they were experimenting with his young body, the agony when his body merged and accepted Arahabaki, the discomfort and confusion when he finally woke up from his capsule prison, and he felt the ache from getting stabbed and betrayed by Shirase.
He also felt Chuuya’s longing and desire to feel human and to be one. He felt all the pain and suffering that Chuuya felt and it's just too much. He’s crying because he doesn’t even know that he cares for his partner this much. He's crying because he knows why Chuuya never told him any of this. He’s crying because he wanted to change it but also scared that it’s just too late.
He’s a complete sobbing mess when he felt a gloved hand touch his head and ruffled his hair. He looked up and saw Chuuya’s bloodied yet smiling face. He still looks as radiant as he can remember, oh, how he loves that radiant smile and vibe that only Chuuya can emit.
“Ch–Chuuya?” Dazai can only stutter Chuuya’s name after all the things he felt and saw.
“Yes, shithead?” Chuuya answered while smiling despite the obvious pain he’s trying to hide.
“Are you back? Is that really you? Are you okay?” He cannot stop asking one question after another, he must know if Chuuya is back.
“Well, I just used Corruption as what we planned, but I was not expecting a bandaged mackerel wrapped up in me like this afterwards. And wait, why are you sobbing?” Chuuya sounds surprised but the obvious hint of smugness is there.
Dazai didn’t say anything at all and just proceeded to tackle Chuuya into a bone-crushing hug. He knows it is bone-crushing because he heard something cracked when they hit the rubbles.
“Oi, what the fuck? Did you hit your head or something while I’m doing all the hard work in our mission?” The older one grunted but didn’t try to pry the younger one from the death grip he’s giving him.
Dazai is still not saying anything at all and instead nuzzled his head to Chuuya’s neck. The idea would be great as well but, they’re not in the most comfortable position or place at all.
“You’re back Chuuya, it’s you again. I’m glad.” Dazai murmurs while his head is buried on Chuuya’s neck.
“Huh? What’s that? Get up already fucker, even though you’re lanky, I still have wounds that are already making me bleed to death here. Be a good partner for once and bring me to the extraction point as well with you, will ya?”
Dazai opened his eyes in panic when he heard what Chuuya said which startled the other in the process. He’s ready to yell at him when Dazai lifted him up, bridal style and started walking.
“Oi oi! What the hell are you doing, shitty Dazai?!” Chuuya yelled out of panic with Dazai’s action.
“Ah, I think Chuuya was the one who hit his head during the fight, he already forgot he requested to be brought to the extraction point.” Dazai retorted while trying to balance the two of them while walking.
“I know what I just said a minute ago, and I’m sure I did not hit my head at all. But what the fuck are you doing? Why are you holding me like a princess or a bride? Can you not support me while walking instead?” The last two sentences that Chuuya fired at him are as tiny as he is but it’s a good thing, he got a sharp hearing.
“And here I am trying to be a good partner for you Chuuya. Let me do this now because this will be the first and last time, I’ll hold you like this after our missions.” Dazai answers while intently looking at him which made Chuuya obviously gulp that resorted him into an even more blushing mess.
“Now, let’s hurry before the local police show up, you had such fun while disintegrating the enemies earlier.” Chuuya didn’t notice how Dazai’s eyes changed into such intense dark colour and glinted with some tears afterwards as he’s still busy hiding his face so, he just nodded.
Knowing that Chuuya won’t see it, Dazai smiled and continued walking.
It was not the last time that Dazai held him like that. It was the first of the many times he did it and Chuuya won’t complain at all. He knows and believes that Dazai will never leave him alone again.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
But just after two years, Oda Sakunosuke died and Dazai Osamu defected the Port Mafia.