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They finally did it. They finally won. The most dangerous enemy has been defeated leaving a victory to both Agency and Port Mafia which they finally manage to protect their beautiful precious city, Yokohoma. Cheers were heard everywhere, the cries of happiness and relief.
Atsushi was too tired, his body ache and blood had covered almost every part of his body. His body won’t last long, not even his ability could help. It might be a sad death, sacrificing yourselves to protect his beloved city. But it was worth it. At least everyone was safe.
He could feel Dazai’s tan coat covered his body as he cradled Atsushi, as near as he could. Dazai shift his body so he was on his lap and with his head on Dazai’s arm.
Dazai was also in the worse condition, blood dripping down to his face yet he still looks handsome. “D…Dazai-san?” he heard himself whispered and wince from the taste of his blood inside his mouth.
“Shh, it’s ok Atsushi…” He hugged him tighter.
“D…Dazai-san did we win—”
“We won Atsushi, we won…”
“Thank god,” he said in relief, Atsushi feel his body went numb. Ah, is what death feels like? He used to be scared of them, but now… He felt relief.
“My body doesn’t even hurt, it’s not because of my ability…. It seems like I’m dying soon…” Dazai cradled his head even tighter and whispered: “I’ll die soon too, so you don’t have to worry about being alone…”
A pang of pain in his chest, Dazai was also dying, “I don’t want you to die, Dazai-san…. I wasn’t being useful again, I’m sorry….”
“What are you saying? Please don’t talk like that…”
“But—”
“Do you remember the first time we met? When you pull me out from the river?” Dazai suddenly asked, which of course, he remembered. To Atsushi, it was the day he got saved from starvation, the day where he found out that he was the white tiger all along, and the day… Dazai gave him home.
“Yeah, Dazai-san helped me from starving in the streets.” He chuckled.
“No… It’s the opposite.” Dazai murmured and caressed his face like he was the most precious jewel in the world. “You saved me from drowning, even though I was not pleased with that time. You were such a scrawny kid that day I met you…
Smiling on the smallest thing and always thankful for everything we the agency do, I’m sure you went some difficult time during the orphanage but in the end, you were so strong.”
Dazai swallowed a lot of breath and continued, “I enjoyed talking with you, I enjoy the time with you… I was so happy, it felt like I’m a normal person without my dark past constantly haunting me… I’m sure everyone felt it too.”
Atsushi’s eye was brimmed in tears, biting back his sob as Dazai continued talking. “You, who are always bright, forgiving and friendly… Saved a lot of people’s hearts, you should be proud of it…” Dazai chokes on his word and spoke those beautiful words, “I…
Love you… and I won’t let anyone speak badly of you…”
Once that first tear broke free, the rest followed in an unbroken stream, Atsushi sobbed uncontrollably, they were tears of joy. His heart swelled from his confession and cried harder.
“I-I’m so happy!! I really love you Dazai-san!! The chazuke that I always eat with you always taste better, you always looked at me gently, Dazai-san!!!” Atsushi feels the muscles of his chin tremble like a small child and snuggled toward Dazai’s chest as if the warmth could soothe him. His hand was soothing his hair gently as he cracked a smile.
“Dazai-san, Dazai-san! If we’re born again, i-if we can be a normal human… Let’s be a happy couple!!” He squeezed his eye together, feeling Dazai’s pair of hand hugged him closer while his face nuzzled on Atsushi’s forehead. He felt Dazai’s salty tear soaking him, yet he didn’t care. He clenched on the tan coat that covered his body, feeling its texture.
The coat, the coat that Dazai always wore. His lovey tan coat.
“I liked that, of course. If I’m alright with you, I…
I’ll make you the happiest person and next time I absolutely won’t let you suffer and die…” He lifted his head slowly and kissed Atsushi’s forehead. He embraced him tighter, feeling his body getting tired. "I love you..."
It was Kunikida who found them first, he quickly rushed toward them calling both of their names. He checked their heartbeat without removing them from their embrace. There was none. Instead of sadness, it was happiness planted on their face. A gentle smile on Dazai’s face and a joyful yet sad smile on Atsushi’s face with dried tears. They had died finally…
As a happy couple.