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When the gunshot fired, Chuuya didn’t think anything of it.
The fight had been tough, the other detectives were getting tired - but they’d already fought most of the gang, just a few stronger individuals remained. The street was covered in the unconscious - specifically not dead - bodies of those they had already defeated. Taking down a group smuggling drugs shouldn’t have taken such a toll, but a few surprise ability users had pushed for a call for backup.
The gunshot didn’t stand out to Chuuya. But the poorly concealed ‘Fuck-’ and the thud that followed did.
He turned towards the sound, narrowly avoiding a punch to the face as he did so, to see Dazai on the ground, clutching his side. Kenji and Tanizaki were already surrounding him, taking care of anyone who tried to get close. Those bastards.
Shooting another detective was one thing. But hurting his boyfriend? He’d make them pay for that.
Do it. Make them pay.
Chuuya turned back and made quick work of the man he was brawling with, taking his legs out from under him, before Chuuya launched himself off a wall, tackling another handful of them.
Make them regret ever having dared to fight you.
He had their attention now. Kenji and Tanizaki were fighting an ability user together, trying to stop him from getting close to Dazai. The few that had had their eyes on Dazai’s weakened body were now drawn to Chuuya.
You have more power than anyone else here.
He couldn’t see Kunikida and Atsushi, just flashes of light as they fought. He was breathing heavily, wiping his nose as blood trickled down. Dazai was pale as he tried to push himself up from the ground, trying to move himself away from the fight.
You have more power than anyone else on the planet.
Chuuya was surrounded on all sides now. No escape. He didn’t know who the voice belonged to, nor where the sudden bloodlust and desire for power had come from.
All you have to do is let me handle it.
With no options left, he gave in to the call.
---
Dazai’s vision cleared when he felt himself being pulled into an upright position against a cold brick wall. Kunikida was in front of him, hastily trying to bandage his wound. Behind him, flashes of red light lit up the empty street.
A deep laugh echoed off the houses, pools of blood turning to rivers. A laugh that was maniacal, yet somehow familiar. Dazai nudged Kunikida’s hands away as he stood up, leaning heavily on the wall. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the source of the light and laughter.
Chuuya.
Spheres of darkness were being launched from his hands, aimed recklessly at anything that moved. The bodies on the street weren’t unconscious anymore.
A hand reached for Dazai but he pushed it away. Something was wrong. Why were his eyes dark? The markings covering his skin, the bruises, the blood pouring out of him...an unfamiliar emotion was flooding through his veins. Fear .
‘Chuuya!’ Dazai yelled. Chuuya gave no indication he had heard, nothing to suggest he was aware of Dazai. The laughs turned to choking as blood dribbled out of his mouth.
Every movement felt like agony. Dazai wasn’t sure if the bullet had gone through him or if it was still inside his body, but he paid no attention to that or Kunikida’s attempts at stopping him as he marched out into the street. An aura of death rolled off him, the red glow surrounding him growing brighter by the minute. ‘Chuuya,’ he repeated, stepping towards him. Empty eyes snapped towards him, his arms remaining tense at his sides, a dark sphere still in his hand.
Chuuya wasn’t behind those eyes. Someone - or something - else was.
‘Please, it’s me,’ Dazai said, walking closer until he was within arms reach. His hand settled on Chuuya’s neck, and Dazai waited for the blue light of No Longer Human to bring Chuuya back.
A light that should have taken a second at most. A light that never came.
The air seemed to crackle with energy. He was vaguely aware of his name being called but he ignored it. Chuuya was in there. Beneath the blood and dark markings crawling up his skin, behind the soulless eyes, he was in there. He had to be.
Seconds ticked by. Dazai clamped his other hand on Chuuya’s cheek, wiping away a bloody tear with his thumb. ‘Chuuya?’ He begged. His heart was thumping so hard he was scared it might come out of his chest. ‘Love, please.’ Chuuya’s body was trembling, the ground cracking beneath their feet. ‘You never gave up on me. I promise, I won’t give up on you. I know you’re stronger than this.’
His lips covered Chuuya’s, the taste of blood filling his mouth. For a moment, nothing. Then everything happened at once.
Chuuya’s legs gave way, and he toppled into Dazai’s awaiting arms. The red markings receded, blue slowly returning to his eyes. The blood and bruises and the wheezing from his short breaths, however, did not fade.
Blue eyes blinked up, full of pain, confusion, fear. ‘Osamu?’ He whimpered, his voice hoarse.
Dazai breathed a sigh of relief. ‘I’m right here. You’re here.’