Chapter Text
Pushing past the doors, and rushing towards the entrance of the lower deck, his hair blowing past him. Karma didn’t want to die. He had run as quickly as his legs could when he saw what had happened to Ace, he may not like the man, but he didn’t wish to see him in the afterlife. He could still live, he could still correct his life. That’s what kept him going, kept him running towards the door. His breathing was harsh in his own ears, his pale blue eyes kept looking around. Getting to the end of the hallway, he didn’t hear that man, that man who had killed Ace. He couldn’t waste time.
Karma clawed at the door, he wanted out, let him out. If there was a god out there, don’t let him die, not now. It took a second, after using what was left of his nails, pushing open the door, slamming it shut. He was somewhere safer, but that didn’t mean he shouldn’t keep running. He felt so scared, so small. What would happen if that devil found him? The cherry red-haired teen had fallen a bit to the floor, be it fear, or just the tiredness that ranked through his body, he didn’t know. Using the palm of his hand, pushing off the carpeted floor. The collared boy could hear people, he just had to keep running. Maybe they could get him somewhere safer. He had to hope.
What he didn’ expect to see, was one man. He was wearing a hat, he was quite short compared to himself, he wore a jacket that draped over his shoulders. His hair was longer than most, tied off near the back of his neck into a shallow ponytail of sorts. Karma thought back to who this might be, Ace had mentioned a man like this before. He was another member of the Mafia, that was good. Panting roughly to himself, Karma moved in closer to the man. His voice was shaky, weak, and filled with terror.
“Sir- Please-”
He couldn’t speak, his voice was so worn out from the panting, and heavy breathing. Karma had crossed the room and almost felt like passing out. The icy blue eyes of the executive looked down at the younger teen, wasn’t that one of Ace’s subordinate's? Why was he here, and not the white-haired man? The kid looked scared as well. What had happened? Closing his phone quickly, hanging up on whoever was on the other side.
“Kid, what’s wrong? Where’s Ace?”
Chuuya had gotten a bad feeling, he knew not to let Ace handle something so important. He had to make sure that nothing went wrong, plus he hadn’t seen the man in a while, though he reminded him of a certain traitor. That thought left his mind in a blink when he heard the wheezing teen explain what had happened.
“Ace, Ace is dead. That man- Devil made him, him-”
Cherry hair fell into his face, wheezing, trying to get more air into his lungs. Chuuya furrowed his brows, in shock, and thought. So Ace had been killed, how it happened, it didn’t matter now. He needed to get this kid out of here before something happened to him. He was the only one that knew what had happened, he couldn’t have him running off. Making a second decision, maybe it would bite him in the ass later, but he didn’t care.
“Ok, ok, kid. Do me a favor, and breathe, we gotta get out of here because personally I don’t want to end up like Ace.”
Grabbing ahold of the younger boy’s arms, activating his ability, Chuuya threw the kid on his shoulder, he would just get out of here, like how he got here, Using his ability. He was glad he didn’t bring anyone here. He was glad to have his ability, it wouldn’t be the smoothest escape, but it would do Karma held on tightly to the Mafioso. Chuuya felt bad for the kid, he was so scared, and he wasn’t that heavy it seemed. He felt like carrying a feather. What had Ace done to this kid? Rubbing the back of the collared teenager, his breathing was settling down, but it was still easy to hear him.
Biting his lip, Chuuya made it to the deck of the ship, looking around, there weren’t a lot of people on the ship if any. Fixing how he held the younger, still shaking like a leaf. His eyes catching sight of the collar around his neck, they had a few seconds. Maybe it would help with the kid’s breathing. Placing the jacket-wearing boy on the deck floor, Kama’s eyes widened once more, his arms looked like jelly.
“I’m- I’m sorry, but why did we stop?”
Taking the knife from its holder, using with as much care as one could use. Chuuya bent down near Karma’s neck, said boy flinched back. Chuuya held his shoulder, making sure he didn’t move.
“I’m taking off this collar, so don’t move.”
Taking in a deep breath, waiting for the metal collar to come off. Chuuya worked on the shackle around his neck, using his ability on the knife, as pulling the metal away from the neck, of the already scarred boy. The parts of the collar went flying, breaking in parts, that scattered into the decking area. Hands quickly went to his neck, feeling his freedom, Karma’s eyes just filled with hope, the prospect of being free. There was no time to ask how he got the collar or any such thing, Chuuya stood back up, looking behind them.
“Ok, you need to trust me with this one kid, get onto my back. If you’re afraid of heights, don’t look down.”
Chuuya didn’t usually use his ability to fly, but he wasn’t as rusty as one may think. It was just like walking but on-air, and nothing to hold onto if you fall. The smaller boy clung to the older’s back, wrapping his pale arms around his neck. The ginger held him close, with what he could, before activating his ability for the last time on the boat.
Pushing off the deck, using gravity to the best of his ability. Getting off the boat was easy, even if he had someone cling to his back. This was going to be hard, because he would have to take the kid home, to his place. He would need to call someone, not Ane-san, she would probably yell at him, till his ear fell off. He didn’t need that now. Though the thought of calling one traitor was bad, if anyone knew how to hide someone, Dazai knew. Once they got back to his apartment, that would be it. Keep the kid at his place for a couple of days, maybe have Dazai come get him from his care, and then this boy would be free, away from the Mafia and safe. An excellent plan, and if Dazai stayed true to who he was, then he would be at his place already.
Air blew in his face, Chuuya loved the smell of the ocean, it was calming. It helped him calm down after a long day at work, and he could only hope that this boy was calming down too. Thinking for a second, Chuuya realized something, he never asked the boy’s name. Looking behind him slightly, and down at the redhead on his back.
“Oi, kid, what’s your name?”
Karma’s eyes glanced back up at the man’s, biting his lip. Though for a while, he didn’t have one of his own, he had gotten the nickname of Karma, which, he didn’t mind. It was a name, it was something to be called by. Biting at his lip, thinking, should he just say his name is Karma? He didn’t even remember his true name for crying out loud.
“My name is Karma, what’s yours?”
It was normal, a normal conversation like this boy- Karma hadn’t just almost been crying, and running for his life. Did this boy not really know his name? What a thought, someone who didn’t fear him.
“My name is Chuuya Nakahara. Please, call me Chuuya.”
Nodding, Karma seemed to relax. He stayed clung to his back, watching the ocean. It was nice, it felt easy. The scarred teen felt like crying, and when he felt a wetness on his face, tears ran down his face. His left hand stayed held on to Chuuya’s coat, using his right hand to touch his cheek. He really was crying. It felt nice, to cry. To be free. Chuuya felt him move his arm away from his neck, glancing back at the boy who sat on his back. Seeing the shimmer of the tears that fell from his new companion’s face.
“Thank you.”
The shock was written on Chuuya’s face when he heard those two words, using his right hand, the ginger executive rubbed his arm softly, trying to comfort him. He really did remind him of himself, when he was just a kid. Though he had the sheep, Karma had no one, and just escaped something horrible. He was just a child. A boy who was roped into something, so young it seemed. He even had a scar on his cheek, something he had seen many times within human trafficking, how did he even end up in Ace’s care?
“Anytime, Karma, anytime.”
Pulling them both along, Chuuya kept a level head, carrying this boy on his back towards one of the docks near by. The humming that came from Karma was nice, a safe old song, that seemed to get the other to relax. His sniffling was still there, but now he was calm. He wasn’t wheezing for breaths, not crying. Looking around at the deck they had landed on, Chuuya sighed.
“Can you walk? We’ll be going to my apartment for now until I know what to do with you…”
Karma nodded lightly, his bangs still in his face. Climbing off of his back, but still held onto him. He needed to stay near him, just for now. Chuuya understood that, starting to lead him back towards his car. It was quite flashy if he does say so himself, it was a crisp red, and it was even a newer model. Karma almost felt bad for going near it, he felt odd even being seen in the same area like it. He was just some snot-nose brat, why would Chuuya even take him in? Well, let him stay at his place, he would probably take him to some orphanage, and leave him soon after.
He was just useless.
Chuuya could see how troubled the boy looked, how he seemed to think too much, and panic. Rubbing his back, Karma leaned into the touch, just like a cat. It was frankly adorable, but there was no time to worry about this, not now. Not in public. He couldn’t have Mori see this, he just had to take him and hide him.
“Let’s good, I can get you some food, and some comfy clothes. You’d like that, right?”
Shaking his head up and down, Karma had the door held open for him. Someone holding open the door for him? Of all people? He was just a slave, to a crazed gambler. Yet, here was one of the higher-ranked Mafioso’s holding it open for him. Walking into the car, the cool leather of the interior was nice, it felt nice to relax into the seat. To let Chuuya take care of where he was going, and keeping him safe. He could almost cry, again.
“Chuuya, thank you, again. You saved me…”
The ginger had slipped into the driver’s seat, putting the keys into the car. Starting up the car, Chuuya nodded lightly, pulling out of the parking spot, before he spoke again. His focus was on the road, but he could still show the kid that, yes he was paying attention to him. He wasn’t going to leave him high and dry.
“You don’t need to thank me, I would have done it for anyone.”
A lie. He wouldn’t have done this for anyone, this kid, he reminded him of himself. A scared kid, who was trying their best to live. Karma was just like him, Chuuya wished that he could have helped his younger self, kept him safe, but, maybe he could do that for Karma. Keep the boy safe, out of harm’s way. Even if it meant letting the kid be taken care of by Dazai, he didn’t wish for him to be with the Mafia, to ruin his life, so young. The blue-eyed Mafioso made a promise to himself, to Karma.
Chuuya Nakahara would protect Karma if it meant he would have a good life.
Speeding along the way to his apartment, Karma was staring out the window, watching how the world passed by, with amazement in his eyes, holding onto the windowsill of the car door. He had never been in a car like this before, he wouldn’t waste this moment. He would enjoy it. For the first time, in a while, Karma smiled. It was broken, but child-like. A smile, of a child.
It was a quick ride, and as they parked in the front of an expensive-looking apartment complex. Chuuya was the first to get out of the car, Karma followed suite, like a lost puppy. He followed the high ranked man, keeping his head down. He hadn’t been here before, only ever following what Ace ordered him to do, and he had mostly been in the casinos that Ace owns, well, owned. The bitter taste of death still on his tongue, at the thought of his former master’s body. Blinking the image away from his brain, Karma caught up to his savior. Taking in the sight of the lavish floor, and the marble-like walls. His pale blue eyes sparkled at the sights. Was this how Chuuya lived, every day?
Entering the elevator, Karma stuck to Chuuya’s side. The older didn’t mind, he did promise himself to protect him, even if it was from himself. Rubbing the kid’s shoulder, the elevator stopped at floor 5. Chuuya walked easily into the hallway, leading his companion away from the closing doors. Making a turn for a door near the end of the way they had walked down, still with the boy holding onto his cape.
Pulling his keys out from his pocket, and slipping it into the keyhole. Going to unlock the door, but, yet, the door was already open. The hat-wearing man seemed to fume for a second, before calming himself down. Remembering he still had the kid with him.
“Ok, Karma. It seems my, friend is here right now. He may seem like an ass, but don’t mind him. I’ll take care of him, and get you some food ok?”
The boy gave a nod, confused, but still curious. Who was this friend? Chuuya leads him in, taking off his hat, and shoes quickly in one go. Karma followed suit, placing his shoes next to the older’s. The ginger soon called out through the house.
“OI! Mackerel! You better not scare my guest, or I swear to god!”
A swift reply came from the living room, as a head popped out as well. It was a shaggy-haired man, who was wearing a tan overcoat. Karma looked at the shoe rack that was next to the door, there he saw three pairs of shoes, Formal dress shoes, which he assumed was the shaggy-haired man’s, boots, those were Chuuya’s. Then his ratty old shoes, that sat next to the pair. Glancing back up at the two males.
“Chuuya’s so mean! Though I wouldn’t scare the kid, I swear! Scouts honor!”
“How do you ever know what scout’s honor is, you were never a boy scout!”
The banter was safe, homey, and almost friendly. Karma smiled once more at it, watching them speak back and forth before he was mentioned once more.
“Anyways, I came here, cause I had an idea you’d pick up someone today, though I didn’t think it would be some kid.”
So Dazai knew he would be here? How? Was it his ability? Karma stared amazed by the man, waiting to see what Chuuya would say. Then the brash Executive replied.
“Whatever. Anyways, I wanted you to be here anyway, I have a problem. So Go sit your ass down, while I go make Karma something to eat.”
This was going to be a long ride, wasn’t it? Dazai smiled softly, before making his way to Karma. Taking the boy by the hand, started to lead him to the living room. Before shouting back to the ginger, who had already made his way to the kitchen.
“I’ll keep Karma busy while you do that, Chibi!”
“You know I hate that nickname, Mackerel!”
Karma followed after Dazai, smiling, before being sat down on one of the many coaches. Maybe this wouldn’t be too bad.