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Dazai knew that today was his last day at sea. It was something he’d considered for a while, now, as his closest friend Sakunosuke Oda had strongly recommended. Said friend was the captain of his ship, the Flawless, the head of the crew, the one individual whose words always held true for him. The evening prior, he and Dazai had shared a few drinks alongside their crewmate and friend Ango Sakaguchi, who had agreed to quit the life of piracy as well, without any hesitation, a discussion that went more smoothly than Oda had anticipated. Ango was always more of the bookish type anyway, often beelining toward old scriptures and books whenever their ship landed on the shore of an unfamiliar island. He read maps quite well, and most of his time spent on Flawless was under the role of navigator.
Thank goodness for his skills, otherwise the ship probably would have sunk by now.
“Odasaku! Is breakfast ready yet?” The bandaged brunette happily rushed toward the small, makeshift kitchen that resided on the bottom part of the ship. He’d woken up fairly early, excited about his final day as a pirate. Knowing how his captain was, he assumed a nice, lavish breakfast was already being prepared. The smell that wafted through the air as he stepped closer to the kitchen was proof his suspicions were correct.
Oda turned slightly and smiled as he greeted his friend with a wave. Donning a handsewn apron he’d created months prior, the redhead truly looked like a caretaker. In many ways, he was one to his crew.
“Breakfast will be ready soon. Coffee is already brewed. You know where to find it.”
Even when Oda tried to come across as relatively cold toward Dazai, he never truly managed to. Dazai nodded with a wide grin on his lips as he poured a mug of coffee, tossed a few sugar cubes inside, and flopped down onto a wooden chair. Ango was already seated at the table, eyes very focused on the rough, worn book resting directly in front of him.
“Hey, Ango-kun, are you busy?”
“Hm,” Ango muttered, gaze refusing to waver from the pages in that book.
“Guess you are. A shame, honestly. I wanted to chat for a bit.”
Dazai took a small sip of his coffee, and Oda laughed as he set the food on three plates.
“He’s always busy, Dazai. Thought you knew that by now.”
“I’m trying to read!”
“He finally speaks! Hooray!” The younger brunette let out a loud cheer before taking another sip from his mug. Eyes drifted toward the plates in Oda’s hands, and he nodded in appreciation as his own was set in front of him.
“Thanks, Odasaku.” He smiled warmly. Ango slammed the book closed and sat it on the small barrel resting behind his chair.
“Last time I’ll ever attempt to read with Dazai in the same room.”
“You’re no fun, Ango-kun. I was just saying good morning.”
“Good morning?! I never heard the words leave your mouth. If you’re to wish someone a good morning, you need to actually use the phrase, otherwise the recipient may no--.”
“Ango,” Oda chided, though the grin on his lips from earlier was still present. Ango sighed and set a cloth across his lap before digging into his meal. Dazai then followed those actions, a soft chuckle slipping past his lips.
“So, today is our final day at sea. Ango, did you have the map all prepared and ready to go?”
“Of course.”
“Dazai, what about you? Are you prepared?”
The bandaged pirate nodded, though he didn’t believe there was much he needed to do. Their last mission, or adventure, was simple. An island that they’d been traveling toward as of late was supposedly full of treasure. All three of them assumed that there was to be some sort of combat to be had to win over the prize, but as they had experience over the years, not one of them felt even slightly worried. Dazai was honestly excited.
“I’m ready for anything, captain!” He saluted with a chuckle before bringing some food into his mouth. Oda chuckled, too, and then started to eat.
--
When Flawless docked at the island, Dazai felt a surge of excitement and giddiness overtake him. He picked up a bow and arrow (the former created by Ango a few weeks back,) and exited the ship, eyes instantly scanning wherever he was able to see.
Ango followed suit, a dagger hidden under his shirt.
“Don’t be reckless. We haven’t been able to discover too much information about the inhabitants here. They’ll most likely be hostile if they pick up on the fact that we’re pirates.”
Dazai shrugged. “Sure. I’m not concerned about them so much as actually finding this treasure.”
“That’s fair, I suppose.”
Oda was the last to step onto the shore, and he raised a hand to his forehead to block the sun’s rays from blinding his view.
“It seems quiet.”
“Yes,” Ango agreed. “A bit too quiet. I don’t know about you two, but I’m wondering if my leads were a ruse.”
“Are you implying that there isn’t any treasure?” Dazai’s lips arched into a frown as he stood in front of the navigator.
“Perhaps, and if that’s the case, I do apologize.”
“It’s our last mission! You can’t mess that up!”
“Hey, stop it,” Oda slipped a hand between the two other men and shook his head. “We won’t get anywhere by standing and arguing. Let’s explore some.”
Ango nodded and started to walk off, Dazai immediately behind. Oda took the rear, occasionally glancing over his shoulder to make sure they were safe.
After about twenty minutes or so, Ango stopped. Dazai, blissfully in thought about what sort of treasure may have been in wait ahead, slammed directly into his back. Ango’s arms jolted upward, and he let out a sharp gasp. “Damnit, Dazai! Watch where you’re going!”
Oda walked around the two and peered ahead, eyes catching what Ango had just witnessed. A ship. Docked on the far shore rested a ship larger than Flawless, a flag of crimson and gold flapping in the sharp breeze.
“No …,” he whispered, realization setting in.
“Another pirate ship. Dazai, we’re too late. We should leave.”
“Eh? Why? I can fight them. Ango’s bow has gotten us through some tough times, so I’m sure –”
“No. I’ve heard of that ship, that flag … you should recognize it, too. Look closely.”
The younger brunette walked ahead, humming to himself in thought as he tried to remember the flag from some previous excursion.
“It’s the chibi pirate! He’s here too?”
“Nakahara …,” Ango growled as he crossed his arms. “I lost a drinking contest to that one. Not in the mood to deal with his remarks today.”
“I’m not in the mood to deal with his blade, Ango,” Oda retorted, his expression now stern and serious. Dazai, however, chuckled and shrugged as if he had no cares in the world.
“He’s more bark than bite, really. I’m not concerned. He probably hasn’t found the treasure yet, anyway.”
“Mmh … I don’t know …,” Ango closed his eyes and sighed, but Dazai paid him no mind, instead taking the moment to rush ahead. Oda quickly followed him, leaving the older brunette alone.
“H-hey! Wait!”
Once all three pirates were together again, Dazai stopped and turned to face the others.
“Listen. I know how Chuuya thinks. He’s going to confidently assume he knows exactly where the treasure is, and if he’s actually wrong -- and he will be, trust me – he’ll take it out on someone. Probably us if he figures out that we’re here. I know you’re concerned about that, but I’ll be fine. Let me talk to him.”
Oda took a few moments to reply as he really needed to think it over. He never liked putting Dazai In danger. Ango often thought he treated him too well, all things considered, but their discussions about that topic never ended successfully. They often ended with the navigator slamming a door or insisting that Oda was not fit to be a captain.
This was another moment where they weren’t to see eye-to-eye.
“Don’t let him go off on his own. You know damn well what happens when you do that, Odasaku.”
“I have to. He’s the best in combat out of the three of us, and I … think he’ll be fine.”
“Nakahara isn’t just bark. He’ll bite. I’ve heard what he’s capable of.”
Oda blinked.
“Do you want Dazai to die?”
That made Oda narrow his eyes and shake his head.
“Ango. This is our final mission. Our last adventure as pirates. Can you please just allow me to make the decisions here? Without arguing?”
“I don’t want either of you to die! That’s all I’m tryin—”
Ango realized then that Dazai was gone.
--
Chuuya stood tall on the top of a sandy hill, hand resting against his forehead to block the sun. He peered forward to try and scope the island as much as his eyes could see. Not much was visible, but he did pick up on a brown blur in the distance. Another ship? No, it couldn’t be.
“Who … what crew could have come here at the same time as mine?”
He slid down the side of the hill, hand pressed firmly against the brim of his hat so it didn’t fly away, and he ran ahead toward the ship In the distance. He still couldn’t see much, but the flag’s color was in view, at least.
“Pine green and violet, heh,” he muttered to himself. “That’s Flawless, ain’t it? What a pleasant fuckin’ surprise. Wonder if Doc Glasses is still part of that crew, or if Oda finally kicked his ass off.”
Akutagawa, one of Chuuya’s crewmates, was in the distance. Chuuya waved toward him.
“C’mere! I have some interesting news!”
The younger man did as told. Chuuya laughed as he crossed his arms and began to explain what he figured was going on.
“You remember Flawless, right? The three-man crew who thought they could best us?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I think they’re here. And I really think they’re going to try and snatch my treasure away from me.”
“Should I deal with them?”
“Not alone. I want to have a chat with the mackerel, at least. Maybe four-eyes, too.”
Akutagawa’s expression tightened at that.
“Ah, you’re still bitter about Dazai, huh? Look, I’ll deal with him. Don’t you worry. He’s just full of himself.”
“I don’t wish to see him.”
“And you won’t! Go back to the rest of the crew and tell them what’s going on, and I’ll meet your former mentor in person. I won’t deal too much harm to him, either. Promise.”
With that, the redhead patted his crewmate on the shoulder and rushed off, hoping to eventually run into Dazai.
--
It didn’t take long to run into the brunette. Chuuya spotted a lithe frame resting against a rock in his sights.
“Gotcha,” he mused, rushing forward with his dagger in hand.
Dazai straightened up once the sound of shoes smashing into sand was audible. Eyes popped open and a smirk formed on his lips.
“Knew you’d be the one to come to me, chibi,” he said softly. Chuuya lunged forward, knee aiming right for the brunette’s stomach. But before hitting there, he stopped. Faces dangerously close to one another, Dazai picked up on the faint hint of wine on Chuuya’s breath.
“I hate you,” the redhead growled.
“And I hate you! We’re likeminded, which is also why we’re both here in search of treasure.”
“My treasure, you mean? Yeah. I’m gonna get it before you even find where it is, mackerel,” Chuuya said.
“Doubt it, slug. Ango is already on the search for it, I bet. Or on the search for me … since I did leave him without warning.”
“Ugh, that man is still working with you?” Chuuya’s expression contorted slightly.
“He’s my friend and an excellent navigator, so why wouldn’t he be part of the crew?”
“Sakunosuke Oda … still your captain?”
“Yes, why?”
“No reason,” Chuuya answered as he pressed the tip of the blade against the other’s neck, albeit lightly enough not to cut through bandage. “Figured he’d have kicked both of you off that ship by now.”
“You just wish that were the case. Odasaku wouldn’t do that. Besides, this adventure is particularly special for all three of us. Guess why?”
“Don’t make me play one of your stupid games!”
He turned the blade onto its side and grazed the flat metal against the brunette’s neck. The bandages shifted slightly due to the pressure, but didn’t tear or rip.
“It’s our last.”
“Last?” The redhead blinked. The three members of the Flawless crew were still young, with Ango being the oldest. They probably had no good reason for retiring so soon.
“You’re retiring?” Without realizing, Chuuya pulled his lower lip in, tucking it under his top teeth as he flared his nostrils. Dazai didn’t shift or budge at all in response. He expected his former friend to act that way, after all.
“Yep. All three of us are. Odasaku has been thinking about it for some time, and Ango never really was a good fit for a crew.”
“You just said he was an excellent navigator, Dazai!”
The redhead’s knee pressed into the other’s stomach, eliciting a soft groan. “Ugh, hey … look, he’s an excellent navigator, but he doesn’t necessarily love the job. That’s all I meant.”
“Whatever. So, are you telling me all this so I let you have the treasure?”
Dazai chuckled.
“Nope. We should fight for it.”
“You’d lose! You’re a weakling, mackerel. Besides, I’m not gonna just take you up on that offer anyway, since you’re probably scheming something.”
“You know me too well~,” Dazai hummed softly as the redhead rolled off of him, sheathing the blade in a quick flick of his wrist. After tucking it into his pocket, he crossed his arms. Dazai then stood up.
“Dazai! DAZAI!”
Ango was in view, arms flailing upward into the air, as he rushed forward in a frenzy. He finally caught up with his crewmate after what felt like an eternity, breaths ragged and sharp. “Damnit … you … why did you run off like that? I told you not to! Odasaku was worried!”
Chuuya’s gaze pierced through the bespectacled man’s own, and his brows quickly furrowed soon after.
“Nobody wants you here. Especially me. I was talking to Dazai, so go away.”
“Excuse me?” Ango pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “Last I’ve heard, you’re not a part of the Flawless’ crew. You have absolutely no right to tell me what to do.”
“But I do have a right to beat you in a drinking challenge.”
Ango groaned.
“Alright, alright. Both of you, stop. I want to discuss the treasure. The day is ticking by, and we should start our search before the sun is no longer around to help us.” Dazai clasped his hands together and chuckled, eyes darting between the other two men.
“You’re cooperating with me?” Chuuya asked.
“Not quite. We’re still going to fight over the treasure, just not physically. Ango-kun, have you found any leads?”
“Wouldn’t tell you if I had, given his presence here.”
“You’re a waste of space, four-eyes,” Chuuya scowled. Ango did the same.
“I have a feeling I may know where it is. I’ve spotted a cave close by, hence why I’ve been resting right here. This rock,” Dazai confessed before kicking the rock he was just laying against. “See these marks?”
“It appears scuffed,” Ango addressed upon a quick look over.
“Indeed! Scuffed with intentional markings.”
Chuuya leaned forward, hand on his chin, to peek at the markings a bit more clearly.
“Arrows…,” he mumbled.
“The cave is in that direction, correct?” Ango asked.
“Yes. Now, I haven’t been inside, so I can’t say what awaits us, but it’s probably pretty dark in there at the least. Do you have a torch?” Dazai asked while gazing at his crewmate. “I do.”
Ango passed along the torch he had in his bag, and Dazai nodded.
“Come, Chibi. Let’s check this cave out.”
--
Dazai lit the torch before making his descent down the rocky, naturally made staircase. The cave was very dark, even with the dim flame flickering about with every step. Ango remained close by, a piece of parchment in one hand, a quill pen in the other. Chuuya was in front, unable to see much at all. But he figured if he let Dazai walk ahead of everyone else, the treasure would end up being lost.
“Tch, Dazai. This cave is really dark.”
“Standing behind the torch would help, you know,” Ango chided.
“Wasn’t talking to you!”
Dazai just laughed.
A few bats flew by after a bit, and Ango jumped, nearly toppling into the other brunette. Chuuya, of course, wasn’t bothered at all, and instead poked fun at the four-eyed man for reacting that way to a few ‘measly bats.’
Most of the cave’s contents were unremarkable. Dazai attempted to frighten Ango a few times throughout their journey, though he rarely succeeded. By the time the three pirates made it to the last room, Ango was beyond livid.
“Why do you find it so entertaining to poke fun at me? I’m simply being cautious! That’s not appropriate to tease about, Dazai!”
Chuuya actually found it all hilarious, evidenced by his wide smirk. But while he smirked toward Ango, Dazai rushed ahead to find a small box partially enveloped in clay.
He opened the box before Chuuya had a chance to even realize what was going on.
“Ooh! This is …,” the bandaged pirate began to state what the treasure was, but Chuuya was immediately grasping for the box. “A key?” He declared with confusion in his voice.
“To a chest, perhaps?” Ango stepped closer. “But it doesn’t appear to be that sort of key … it’s too large. Looks more to be for a house or building.”
“There’s a note!” Dazai picked up a small piece of paper and wiggled it around. Ango took it from him and brought it close to the torch’s flame. Not close enough to burn, but close enough to assist him in reading the small writing.
“An address… it’s back on an island we’ve been to in the past. A large one. What an odd treasure. I can’t fathom why one would have left it here, in a cave of all places…”
Dazai took the paper back from the other brunette and nodded.
“Well, I guess we don’t need to fight over this one. I … have a plan.”
Chuuya let out an unintelligible grunt. “What? I don’t want a fuckin’ house, Dazai. Take it.”
“It may go to a vault full of treasure!”
--
Chuuya parted ways with Dazai once he lost interest in the treasure. Ango reconvened with Oda and informed him of their discovery. Oda immediately figured that the treasure was oddly appropriate for their last adventure.
“If this goes to a house or a cottage, then I think this is perfect.”
“Why?” Ango questioned.
“Well, that means we won’t need to buy a place to live.”
“I apologize, Odasaku, but I don’t wish to live with Dazai for the rest of my life.”
“Dazai, would you want this for yourself?”
“What about you?” Dazai tilted his head as he took a sip from his mug. Oda’s smile softened.
“I was considering going back to my old profession. Living arrangements are already there,” he answered.
“Running the orphanage? Yeah, I know you were really loving that.”
“Ango?” Oda turned his gaze back toward the navigator.
“I’ll arrange something for myself. Until then, I can stay with you.”
“Going to help me care for the kids?”
“I can assist with budgeting, yes.”
Dazai chuckled. “Alright! It’s settled. The key is mine.”
--
Once the Flawless made its way to the island written on the small piece of paper, Dazai rushed ahead, key tightly clasped against the palm of his hand. The address brought him to a small, but homely cottage.
“Wow…,” he whispered to himself as he opened the door. Everything was furnished, though the dust covering most of the furniture proved how long it must have been since someone had lived there.
Even though he knew sending a letter to Chuuya wasn’t the most reliable form of communication, as the redhead traveled a lot, he figured it worth a shot. Months passed before the redhead received the small handwritten greeting.
[ Chuuya, if you’re interested, stop by [Island]. The address the key went to is [address.] If you’re ever thinking about retiring, come stay with me. There’s plenty of room. – Dazai. ]
A few more months passed before the sound of someone knocking at the cottage’s door was heard. Dazai rushed out of the kitchen and opened the door with a wide grin. Chuuya was there, dressed in a lavish crimson shirt made of silk and black trousers. Boots covered his feet and ankles. His hair was tied back, but a few loose strands fluttered around his face.
“You meant what you wrote, right?”
“Of course! I’m no longer a pirate, and I’m no longer living with Oda and Ango.”
“Really?” Chuuya stepped inside and peered around.
“Yes. I’m actually quite lonely here, you know. This island is pretty quiet. But I did start a garden! Odasaku sends me letters once in a while to tell me what to do. He really has a green thumb!”
Chuuya’s cheeks tinged pink at the idea of Dazai growing plants.
“So what? I don’t care about your garden.”
“Sure. But you’re here. So that means you care about me.”
“I …,” the redhead stammered, but before he had a chance to finish that thought, the brunette had wrapped his arms around his chest and pulled him in close for a quick kiss.
“W-wh-wha …”
“Chuuya… I’ve always felt quite strongly about you, but while working as a pirate, I never had the chance to convey my feelings… now, though, I … I think you and I could become something serious.”
Chuuya was speechless. Dazai felt the same way about him as he felt.
“You … you’re … goddamnit, Dazai, you have me wrapped around your finger!”
“And?”
“I don’t hate it. But I’m not going to tend your damn garden.”
Dazai laughed. That was fair.