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“What on earth happened to you?” Arthur sighs as Chuuya comes into the office stained in blood. Chuuya sighs and slumps in the reception area. “Chuuya-kun?”
“He gave up his life to protect those who’d betrayed him,” Fukuzawa says, pausing in the doorway. “He’s willing to give up his own life to protect people, even in a situation where anyone would understand you deciding not to. That is the spirit needed for this work. He passed the test, making him a member and allowing Yosano to heal him. However, if you stain our couch with blood you will be cleaning it off, young man.”
Chuuya jerks up from the couch, staggering to his feet and glaring down at the fabric. “So, I’m a full member now, right?”
“You are,” he says. Chuuya grins and Arthur rests a hand lightly on his head. “Welcome to the Agency.”
“Well done, brat,” Ranpo calls. “I knew you’d do it.”
“You can stop calling me brat now,” Chuuya says.
“Pass.”
“I’m proud of you,” Arthur says, getting Chuuya’s attention. Chuuya's smile is so bright it melts Arthur’s heart completely. “Do you want cake tonight as a reward?”
“I do,” Ranpo calls. “You’re a member now, you can’t have rewards unless you share. It’s in the rules.”
“Is it though?” Chuuya says. Then he glances up at Arthur. “Really?”
“Really. Whatever you want.”
“Chocolate cake,” he says. Arthur nods. “And good wine.”
“You’re underage in this country,” Arthur scolds lightly.
Chuuya pouts. “You said whatever I wanted. And no one needs to know it’s for me. Please, Arthur.”
Arthur scowls down at him for a moment before sighing and tucking his hair back behind his ear. He did say whatever Chuuya wanted, he supposes. He nods and Chuuya’s contagious grin returns. He supposes he has been letting him drink his wine since they left the Mafia. And having just passed his entrance exam, he deserves a reward.
“Would you like some company, Rimbaud-san?” Haruno says, picking up her coat.
“Thank you, Haruno-kun,” Arthur replies. “We’ll be back soon, Chuuya-kun. Don’t cause trouble just because you’re a full member now.”
“Of course not,” Chuuya calls back.
“Come on, you,” Yosano says with a sigh. “I have a spare shirt of yours in my office. We can at least clean you up a bit.”
With Yosano watching over Chuuya, Arthur doubts he can get into too much unsanctioned trouble. It was all very well and good Ranpo saying Chuuya would pass his test and officially become a member, allowing them to save him from the government, but it hadn't stopped Arthur from worrying. Chuuya could have been given to the Hunting Dogs or Special Abilities Department to be turned into a weapon. Then Arthur would have had to go break him out and they’d be on the run again.
“You were worried about Chuuya, weren’t you?” Haruno says quietly as they walk down the street together. “He means a lot to you.”
“He’s my responsibility,” Arthur replies. “I want him to be happy.”
Haruno smiles and nods. She’s the Agency’s clerk, apparently she worked part-time until recently, having just graduated highschool. As the Agency expands, it will need more clerks. But, despite her sometimes distractible nature, even in the short time Arthur has known her, she’s proven herself capable of handling all the Agency’s administrative needs.
“Do you know where we’re going?” Haruno asks.They’re getting on a train. “You seem to have something in mind.”
“I know a place,” Arthur replies.
They end up at Arthur’s old home. It’s rather ruined now and he knows that coming back here is an easy way to get discovered if Mori had left sentries around. Perhaps he believed Arthur dead, but he doesn’t doubt he’s still searching for Chuuya. It hasn’t even been three months since he attempted to forcefully recruit him. There’s every possibility he’s left someone watching Arthur’s home in case Chuuya came here.
But, this is Arthur’s home and he didn’t survive as a spy behind enemy lines for years without having a few tricks up his sleeve.
“Where are we?” Haruno says.
“My home,” Arthur replies. “Before I left the Mafia.”
He opens up a discreet tunnel in the lower gardens to lead her straight to his secure basements. It seems these areas were beyond the Mafia’s reach. Or perhaps Morihas simply been more interested in securing his position as Boss than dealing with a dead man’s home that isn’t going anywhere. His things will wait, control of the Mafia won’t.
“Chuuya must be very special to be willing to give up his life for people who’ve betrayed him so often,” Haruno whispers, voice echoing in the empty basement.
“He has a big heart,” Arthur replies. “He longs for human contact more than anything, but his Ability has left him isolated and alone in many ways. In that regard, the Port Mafia or government would have been good for him. With so many powerful Ability users, he would have been right at home.”
“We’re not enough for him?” she says with a frown.
“Rather, he’s afraid he’s too much for us,” he says. “As he has been for everyone before.”
“Precisely why he needs us.” Arthur snaps his fingers and Golden Demon’s blade is trapped within a cube of hyperspace. He turns slowly to find Ozaki Kouyou frowning at him. “Randou-san.”
“Ozaki-san,” Arthur says. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Your wine cellar,” Ozaki replies. Golden Demon moves to return to Ozaki and Arthur lets it. “You have quite the collection. I thought I would make the most of it while I can. It seems a waste if it were to be destroyed, so I’ve been taking it into my care.”
“How thoughtful of you,” he says.
“Where’s the Nakahara boy?”
“Why would I know?”
Ozaki smiles. “If it weren’t for the fact that I’d just heard you discussing him, I’d say because I don’t believe in such coincidences as a dead man with a connection to him being alive and said boy vanishing without a trace. For Ougai and Dazai to be wrong, something rather earthshaking must have happened. You surviving and sweeping him away certainly counts.”
“I’m flattered you think so highly of me.”
“Where is the boy?” Ozaki says, Golden Demon looming behind her as a threat. Arthur isn’t afraid but wraps Haruno in her own little world to keep her safe from the demon’s blade. “Ougai wishes for the boy by his side, it seems he is of the utmost importance. I tell you this because I was rather fond of you, Randou-san, you were great support to me when I lost my loved one. You kept me on my feet through that pain and pushed me to become an Executive, to take control of the organisation I hated so much and change it. I am here because of your kindness. Bring us Nakahara and he may be enough to bargain for your life, Randou-san.”
“Perhaps,” Arthur says softly.
“Come home, Randou-san,” she says. “Use that boy against the Mafia, if you must. If he trusts you and believes in you, use that as leverage against Ougai. He is not the previous Boss. He is a man who can be reasoned with.”
“I am touched by your offer, and your concern,” he says, “but Chuuya is far beyond your reach and I won’t allow him to be consumed by the Mafia or Mori’s darkness. Please, feel free to help yourself to the wine and to tell Mori of my presence, but make sure to also inform him that Chuuya is no longer alone and he won’t have such an easy tie manipulating him this time.”
“Even if those friends of his are in danger again?”
“He’s not alone anymore.” Arthur smiles, walking through to the wine cellar and picks up a few bottles. “Of course, I remember a time when you longed to escape the darkness and find the light as well.”
Ozaki’s eyes widen then narrow. “I would never-”
“Of course not,” he says. “But the option is there, I’m sure, should you ever wish to reach out. Shall we go, Haruno-kun? I assume this discussion is over, Ozaki-san.”
Ozaki says nothing more, allowing them to leave with their wine. Haruno hurries after him and Arthur leads the way back through the tunnels. It’s not how he wanted his survival to come out, but he was under no illusion he’d be able to stay hidden from the Mafia forever. If Ozaki wishes to tell Mori, that’s fine. He’ll take every step as it comes to protect Chuuya’s freedom.
“You took forever,” Chuuya huffs as they return.
“Forgive me,” Arthur says. “I went a long way to get you something good.” Haruno puts a cake on the reception area table and Chuuya looks about ready to eat it whole. He supposes Chuuya’s probably never had a cake like this before given he’s lived in the slums his entire life. “I hope you enjoy it. You deserve it.”
Yosano comes out with some glasses, plates and a knife for the cake. Even Fukuzawa comes out to join them. Chuuya collapses against Arthur’s side, legs tucked up under him as he eats his cake with a grin. The wine is already colouring his cheeks and he’s laughing with Yosano as if there’s not a care in the world. Arthur smiles to himself, stroking his bright hair absently. Everything is worth it to see Chuuya laughing like this. He’s given Chuuya a home. He’ll bring down the Mafia with his down hands to protect this carefree smile.
“What?” Chuuya says, tilting his head curiously. “You’re looking at me funny.”
“Nothing,” Arthur says softly, petting his head. Chuuya turns, sitting up on his knees and pouting at him. His eyes are so bright and full of life. Arthur sighs fondly, pushing his hair gently back from his forehead and pressing his lips lightly to his forehead. “Just realising how much I truly adore you, Chuuya-kun.”
Chuuya’s face flushes bright red and he stammers helplessly while Yosano, Ranpo and Haruno laugh. In the end, Chuuya gives up and just drains his glass of wine, settling for burying his face in Arthur’s shoulder with a miserable grumble to shut up.