Chapter Text
“I’ve been alone for years you know, since I left the Port Mafia. Maybe I miss it.”
“Hear me out…. This place is beautiful, so much like you.”
"I can see everything I like from the windows."
“Do you remember? This masterpiece you won’t purchase?”
.
.
.
"Chuuya."
“Chuuya-san?” Hirotsu repeated. Third’s time the charm, the alleged Mafia Executive finally blinked to regard him. The young underboss had been staring out of the window with a strange longing in his eyes. He had been like that since Hirotsu returned to his office to retrieve the papers he handed half an hour ago. The young mafia underboss looked a little flustered after realizing that he had been spacing out.
“Ahem, my bad. I’ve looked into this blueprint, thanks in advance.”
“Is everything alright?” Hirotsu inquired politely.
Chuuya turned to face the older man, his hold on the bundle of papers tightened slightly.
“Huh? I’m fine. I take that the Black Lizards can handle this one.” Chuuya handed the papers back.
“Understood.” Hirotsu bowed slightly before receiving. He took another quick glance at the young underboss. “If I may suggest.”
The redhead hummed in interest.
“Heading back now and winding down would help. You’ve just returned from another trip yesterday, and already handling the reports today, you deserve a little bit of down time as well. You can leave the rest to me.” Hirotsu finished with a small relaxed smile on his face.
Chuuya tilted his head, his eyebrows arched. Was his weariness that obvious? In the end he had grinned slightly and walked past Hirotsu towards the door. Hirotsu had always given him sensible advice, last time he got soaked in the rain for ignoring one of his advice, although granted, he didn’t have a choice that time. Or did he? He glanced to the window briefly.
“I’ll take the advice this time.” The young underboss exited the office and waved his hand without looking at the Black Lizard commander. Besides, it was a clear afternoon, the sun was setting soon, this should be a lovely evening.
...
The moment he stepped outside the Port Mafia office Yokohama’s sea breeze felt cool against his skin. Hirotsu was right, after filling in his reports Chuuya felt like he deserved to pamper himself with good wine and a delightful meal while watching the changing skyline or some good show on TV. Perhaps his penthouse would be the best choice to see the sunset. It would be a nice change of pace too than returning to his other place tonight.
Maybe then he would be able to forget the silken voice that has been haunting him along with the words that wound themselves around his every being.
That was his initial idea, but as he drove back, ascended to his penthouse and walked to his door, he became more tense than relaxed. Hand reached to his knife seeing how the door was unlocked and slightly ajar. Who in the right mind dared to trespass a Mafia Executive’s living space? He only had two guesses, it was either done by a random fool, or a specific fool whom he knew too well.
With body glowing red, he slowly pushed his door open, knife gripped tight on his hand, ready to fling it the moment he sees the perpetrator. He stealthily entered his own space but then he saw a sand colored jacket draped by the sofa’s back rest, an opened bottle of whiskey, and a half full glass of the liquor. He finally let out a breath because apparently it was the specific fool. He regretted that he couldn’t really shed his blood here, although he could always land a punch to him for breaking in his apartment like this. If only that thought wasn't so easily overshadowed by his other muddled feelings.
“Chuuya! You kept me waiting!”
“Oh the irony.” Chuuya mused.
And there he was, in his kitchen, rummaging his fridge. Chuuya will get to that later. He let out a breath, hung his coat and hat neatly, he also took off his shoe to change into his home slippers all the while thinking of words to say to the detective. It had been weeks since he last seen the brunette. There were no texts nor calls since then, there weren’t any follow up messages too after Dazai sent him a gift. And to think that he has that sweater in this apartment, he had brought it with him everywhere.
Just cause it was comfortable! He reasoned to himself. It wasn’t because it’s from Dazai. Nope definitely not.
‘Took you long enough.’ No that will sound as if I was expecting Dazai to visit.
‘Why are you here’ was it too hostile? We’re always hostile. So screw it.
“Why the fuck are you here?” Chuuya grumbled and flopped onto his couch, drinking the whiskey on the coffee table, draining all its contents with the ice clinking against the glass as he placed it back. Seeing how this whiskey was suddenly out in the open after so many years, Chuuya confirmed that Dazai remembered where he stashed his booze.
“Heyy that’s mine!” Dazai whined from the kitchen area.
“Excuse you, it’s from my kitchen and you’re technically breaking into my apartment. Is that what detectives do these days? Trespassing and stealing booze?”
“I already clocked out from work, I’m off duty now~.” Dazai said in a sing-song as if that will grant him justice.
“That does not give you the right to break in someone’s place. Let alone a Mafia Executive. I could’ve killed you in a heartbeat, Dazai you piece of shit.”
“But its Chuuya! And besides, it’s not the first time, hmm? You’ve guessed it anyway. I did place my coat on the couch so you know I’m not a stranger!” Dazai finally sauntered back towards the living room and sat right beside him.
“What do you mean by ‘But it’s Chuuya’, you dolt. And how did you know I was coming back here? I could’ve returned to the other places.” Chuuya raised an eyebrow, his sapphire blue eyes glaring at the trespasser lounging right beside him. Dazai was looking at the window, smiling at the golden sky which slowly dimmed.
“I wonder… maybe lucky guess?” Dazai shrugged and leaned back to the couch comfortably.
Chuuya stared at the brunette for quite some time. His heart squeezed a little at the possibility that perhaps Dazai remembered how the view looked like here years ago. He stared until the latter regarded his gaze, still with a smile on his face.
“What is it? Liking my handsome face again?” Dazai grinned and pointed at himself.
“As if. Seriously, why are you here, Dazai? You could have called, left a note or anything than showing up out of the blue after weeks being silent.” Chuuya rolled his eyes and poured another glass of whiskey for himself, still using the same glass Dazai had used. Dazai’s eyes quietly noted that.
“Is Chuuya upset that I didn’t contact him for weeks?” Dazai turned to look at him, a gleeful smile on his face, and a pair of russet orbs that glinted his amusement. Chuuya wanted to punch him, he really did. But he chugged that glass of whiskey smoothly and watched the sky from his large windows. He didn’t want to waste his time arguing after a long day, so he was just going to ignore the cheeky waste of bandages beside him.
“I don’t care.” Chuuya muttered and placed the glass back on the table.
“Of course you don’t.” Dazai chuckled beside him, but his tone suggested that he didn’t mean what he said. Dazai turned to look at the sky again. “To your question, after lunch, I saw something that reminds me of Chuuya, so I thought I should go and visit him after I went grocery shopping! I’m also borrowing your fridge to keep my canned crabs nice and cool.” Dazai chirped like he hadn’t done anything wrong.
“If you’re implying that it’s because you saw a dog, I will definitely pulverize your skull.”
“Aha, but I didn’t say that, and that’s not what I saw. Moreover, it’s not important why I’m here. But I’m here now.”
Chuuya made a face. “Visit… You’re like an ungrateful stray cat. Coming in and out as you will, eating my food, drinking my booze and I bet you’re just asking to stay for dinner too later.”
“That’s so mean, Chuuya! I’m technically a guest, you’re not going to invite me for dinner?” Dazai whined as usual, his lips were pursed and his shoulders sagged.
“You broke in, you already invited yourself in, bastard. That makes you a criminal as far as I can tell.” Chuuya retorted dully.
“You’re a criminal too aren’t you? Oh my, is Chibi going to kick me out? I’m so scared.” Dazai faked a terrified face that made Chuuya felt sick. He raised the glass threatening to throw it at the brunette and the said brunette just maintained the same expression, not even trying to cower, duck or protect his face.
“You’re not any better.” Blue eyes glaring menacingly, the raised glass shone as it was held high.
Dazai chuckled darkly at his statement and soon he smirked.
“I never said I was, nee Chuuya?”
Chuuya didn’t flinch, but for one split second he thought the two of them were still in the Port Mafia. He shook his head, clicked his tongue, he felt tired the longer he bantered with his ex-partner so he placed the glass back calmly, sighing.
“Look, I planned a calm evening today and I am not going to let you ruin it. If you wanna stay here then stop being a jerk and just… well just don’t disturb me!” Chuuya grunted and slouched against his couch, his scowl was still visible. Beside him Dazai had let out a light laughter as he leaned against the couch comfortably as well.
“Don’t worry, chibi. I didn’t come here for a fight. I really just wanted to pay a nice visit.” Dazai flashed a wide smile at him.
Fair enough, Chuuya thought. Technically there was nothing wrong with Dazai coming here. But not like he wanted to see him… Well, maybe he did want to see him. Whenever he recalled their last encounter, he had Goosebumps on his arms. Dazai parted with him with a tender regard followed by words he’d hardly forget. He stuttered here and there a few days after his absence, and when he least expected it, he had received a nice sweater hidden under his sitting cushion. Because of this, he wasn’t sure if he could be mad at the brunette. Perhaps the ADA had too much requests during those weeks, or Dazai was just taking his sweet time? No… He couldn’t be certain why.
He’s somewhat glad that Dazai looked healthier. Considering they hadn’t seen each other for weeks since Dazai’s recovery, Chuuya wasn’t be able to know if Dazai was back at depriving himself from meals and sleep during those weeks. Sometimes the redhead wondered about it in his free time. Simply put, Dazai had been crossing his mind more often since he nursed him back to health again that time and perhaps that’s not the only reason why. Maybe because he felt like something had definitely changed between them, that gift he sent for him couldn’t have been just a silly souvenir right?
“Did Chuuya like my present?”
Chuuya nearly jumped from the couch at that inquiry. It always felt as if Dazai was reading his mind. Dazai also seemed to notice the heat spreading on his cheeks if his soft chuckle was any indication.
“First, tell me how you flawlessly placed that under my cushion and still lock the door.” Chuuya turned to look at him, arms crossed. The latter had laughed and ruffled his own hair.
“I found your duplicate key of course, I was sure there’s one somewhere in that condo and I was right.” He grinned as if that wasn’t a sin.
Dazai’s right hand suddenly fished the key in his pockets and soon he handed it back to Chuuya. Chuuya’s eyes widened at the glinting key of his other condo. His hand reached out to take it back. Had Dazai planned to put that package long before?
“I was just borrowing it to place that package. So there, I’m returning it back to you.” Dazai winked and glanced towards the large windows again.
It was starting to get a little darker as the golden hues were deeper, richer, Dazai liked how it looked like on large windows like this. Meanwhile beside him, Chuuya was looking at his key. He seemed to be thinking about something before he handed it back to Dazai.
Dazai’s smile had shrunk, he soon looked to his left, to Chuuya’s extended hand and to the key gleaming on it. He then glanced to the redhead’s face, the question was clear in his rich russet eyes.
“Keep it.” Chuuya simply said, and waited for the brunette to take it back from his hand.
Dazai looked at him for a long time, searching his sapphire orbs before his hand gingerly moved to pick the silver key back, his eyes not leaving Chuuya’s. Suddenly that key felt so foreign despite him holding on to it for more than a week’s worth. Perhaps because the key now has a different purpose, handing a key of his more personal space like that almost felt too intimate for Dazai, so he was naturally taken aback by it. Moreover Dazai only stayed there for less than a week, he’d never expect to be allowed to access it at his will without having to be a trespasser. Chuuya retracted his palm and slipped both of his hands inside his pockets before looking up to the ceiling. Dazai had a Déjà vu moment looking at that.
“Are you sure, Chuuya? Isn’t this a little reckless of you?” Dazai snickered and raised the key to his eye level, turning it over to see how light reflected on the metal edges.
“Why? Because I am handing a key to a traitor and that’s dangerous?” Chuuya raised an eyebrow and scoffed. “You can’t be serious.”
Dazai could only chuckle. Perhaps that’s exactly why. Another thing was that it’s him… Dazai, the person he was entrusting the key to. Fair enough that under extreme circumstances they had already entrusted their lives to each other, this should be nothing, but this was… Dazai wasn’t sure what to think of.
“Besides…”
Dazai glanced at him, waiting for him to continue, so Chuuya took a deep breath. “You said that… you said that you like that place, didn’t you? Just… just keep it.” Chuuya exhaled and leaned his head back more comfortably, he closed his eyes, not seeing the way Dazai had promptly looked away and sat more upright… or the way he wordlessly pocketed the key back with a tint of red across his cheeks.
The two allowed silence to settle between them. Chuuya didn’t dare to gauge the brunette’s reaction, although he was hoping that Dazai would say something, anything… about the last time they parted. For once he felt the silence suffocating even with Dazai around, no maybe that's exactly how it should be... Chuuya’s breathing was slow, controlled, strands of red hair shining from the light, his mouth was slightly aghast as he exhaled slowly from time to time.
“What’s this, the great gravity manipulator feeling exhausted? Must be a mountain of paperwork to deal with, could that be Nakahara Chuuya’s weakness?” Dazai teased to break the silence, but his voice was quieter as if he didn’t want to disrupt him.
Chuuya opened his eyes slowly and gazed up to the ceiling rather indolently.
“At least I’m doing them, unlike you.”
“Hey I did my papers back at the Port Mafia, okay.” Dazai protested.
“You’re not doing any at the Agency, I bet. Knowing your dubious problem solving methods, it must felt like transcribing foreign alien codes to a proper speech or essay.”
Dazai leaned back and guffawed at his remark, and Chuuya merely snorted beside him, head turned to face the laughing brunette and without them realizing it, the sun was already so low. The whole room was dark. The previously rich amber colors that illuminated the whole room had faded to leave only darkness. They were now basked within a calm shade of lavender and blue.
Dazai felt the cushion shift when Chuuya stood up to flick the lights on, the dim room now decorously illuminated with warm toned ceiling lights and he could see the extent of the penthouse’s luxury, starting from the artworks, mahogany accents and marble floor, it was spacious. He wondered if Chuuya would ever get bored living alone in a large place like this, he’s so small after all. Dazai was already familiar with this place though, this wasn’t the first time he broke in. Nonetheless, this was the first time after a long time.
“Did you seriously went grocery shopping just to get canned crabs?” Chuuya asked loudly from the kitchen area.
“And Sake!” Dazai piped.
Chuuya spotted the two bottles of Sakes a second after.
“Is Chuuya going to cook?” Dazai suddenly sprung up, laid himself along the couch and on his stomach, facing Chuuya at the kitchen. He had wrapped his lanky arms around the couch’s velvety armrest and leaned his chin on it, the grin was wide and giddy on his face. Chuuya deadpanned to his direction and closed the fridge shut.
“Yeah. I need to eat dinner after all. I’m not going to cook for you though.” he pointed at Dazai and squinted his eyes.
“That’s okay.”
Chuuya’s eyes widened at that and he let his hand fall back to his side absently.
“Just watching Chuuya cook is already interesting.” Dazai smiled.
“I was kidding. Geez.”
As Dazai had said, he was a loyal spectator from the living room. Embarrassed, Chuuya rubbed the back of his neck, turning around to take off his gloves and wash his hands clean. Chuuya ended up washing his hands longer than he should be, because he felt the latter coming closer and closer behind him. The sudden presence on his right side had made the hair on the back of his neck stand. Dazai's step might as well be nonexistent, cause he had already stood closely beside him, sticking his nose in even when Chuuya hadn’t begun making anything. Chuuya gasped quietly and stepped away to maintain his personal space. Rattled as he felt the brunette had loomed over him just now.
“What the fuck, shitty Dazai. I’m just washing my hands.” Chuuya protested loudly and turned the faucet off, feeling a little jittery.
He wiped his hand on a sheet of kitchen roll he plucked beside the basin. For a second Chuuya saw an unfamiliar glint in Dazai’s half lidded eyes, and he wondered what that was. He felt as if he was electrocuted by that look, it rushed inside him, catching the breath in his throat. That gaze that disappeared in a blink of an eye leaving only the usual Dazai smiling dumbly back at him.
“I just want to inspect closely. So next time I can help you prepare dinner. Won’t that be nice?”
Next time… Chuuya mused. What the hell are they right now…?
“Whatever. Just give me some space. Go sit on the bar-stool or something.” Chuuya offhandedly slapped Dazai’s back with the back of his hand twice to rush him as he moved pass him to open his fridge again. Dazai didn’t wince, he lightly sauntered around the kitchen island and sat on one of the stools, elbow on the counter and chin on his palm.
Chuuya continued his task. Since he was cooking for two, he might actually take longer than he had anticipated. He thought about the things he could cook for now. Probably something stir-fried judging from the contents of his fridge. He could make a steak, with some butter mushroom sauce, or even braised meat…? Beef stew? That would take a while if he wanted to tenderize the meat and he was starving…
Wait…
Why did he thought about difficult dishes again? Right, cause Dazai looked like he wants to be impressed. Chuuya inwardly cursed at himself and slammed the fridge close. He retrieved his grey apron and begrudgingly put them on, tying the apron securely before finding a rubber band to tie his hair up.
In the end he resulted to Yosenabe, It shouldn’t take too long… and he has Dazai’s sake to use and it would also be a warm delightful meal to share easily. He only needed to prepare the dashi, cut the meat thinly and chop some of the vegetables he had right now. He has no tofu but that’s fine. He could feel Dazai watching him intently from the kitchen island, Chuuya won’t regard his scrutinizing gaze.
As he chopped the vegetables and mushrooms, Chuuya realized how Dazai truly was content to just watch and Chuuya only held his gaze once or twice, each time had deepened the scowl on his face. The brunette had a lopsided smile on his face, his eyes following Chuuya’s hand movements. Dazai had observed everything, from Chuuya grabbing a knife to chop vegetables to Chuuya turning on the stove to place the pot of soon to be broth.
“Aren’t you bored? You can just watch the TV you know.” Chuuya looked over his shoulder to the brunette as he waited for the water to boil.
“Bored? I’m watching a mafia underboss clad in his apron, cooking in his sleek kitchen by himself, this is better than any cooking show.” Dazai smirked at him.
Chuuya squinted his eyes and turned to look back at the dashi he was boiling. His face felt hot but he just blamed the steam from the pot in front of him.
“I’m using your Sake for cooking. Consider it contribution.” Chuuya grinned and retrieved a bottle from the fridge. Dazai simply laughed and nodded.
“Anything Chibi Chef needs. Don’t finish it all though.” Dazai beamed earning a scowl from the petite mafia.
“I don’t have any tofu.” Chuuya muttered as he continued to double check his ingredients.
“Oh I can help with that.”
Chuuya raised an eyebrow. “You have tofu?”
“Why yes. It was my lunch, but I didn’t feel like finishing it. It’s in the bento box inside the paper bag. Should be enough for the two of us.” Dazai chuckled. He had a rueful smile and Chuuya wondered about it as he looked into the paper bag near the fridge. Also, Dazai didn’t seem to be the type who would pack himself a lunch. Moreover the thing that he packed was weird enough, just tofu… nothing else, and a sachet of soy sauce.
“This… this tofu seems so hard. Did you make this? What did you mix this with? Cement?” Chuuya grimaced.
“It’s edible I assure you.” Dazai grinned wide.
“I see… Well, I’ll try it later, I won’t use it for now.” Chuuya sighed and turned around. In the end he’d still need more time to cook if he used the tofu Dazai offered.
“Maybe... maybe you should try it now, Chuuya.” Dazai chuckled. “Please?” He added next.
Chuuya turned around again to stare at the brunette for a long time, and then to the box of sliced hard tofu.
"Why?"
"I don't know. While it's there, I suppose. There's no guarantee when I'll make more of it." Dazai smiled slightly.
Chuuya grimaced, but he hesitantly picked a slice and dipped it to the leftover soy sauce in the box. He bit into it, his eyebrows rose at the taste. Surely for a second he thought he was going to taste powdery sliced gypsum, but Dazai wasn’t lying about it being just… tofu with a harder texture, the soy sauce probably softened it upon absorption. Chuuya couldn’t believe what he was eating.
Dazai had a lopsided smile on his face as he watched Chuuya's mildly surprised expression and the rueful eyes remained. Chuuya closed the box again, placing it back.
“You’re too crafty. You can actually hurt yourself with this thing as a full block.” Chuuya huffed while wiping the corner of his mouth, earning a soft chuckle from the latter.
"Been there, done that." Dazai simply chuckled.
Chuuya rolled his eyes, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. "I shouldn't even be surprised anymore."
Although the way Dazai hadn’t thrown rude or stupid commentaries at him while watching him cook was starting to freak him out a little. What was the brunette planning…? What was he looking at really? Nevertheless Chuuya continued his cooking cause his starving belly was an easier problem to solve than Dazai’s questionable behaviors. He silently looked forward on how the night would continue.
....