Work Text:
“This is goodbye now, Osamu”
“It’s my turn to leave, please don’t come for me.”
Everything shook, the phone in his hand dropped like how the news of Chuuya’s departure came like a bucket of ice poured on him. After some time, he repeatedly tried to contact Chuuya but to no avail, so he headed to the only person Chuuya confides with.
He went past the guards and courtesans that are stationed in Kouyou Ozaki’s brothel.
“Ane-san”
“Dazai-kun”, Kouyou Ozaki muttered, not surprised that Dazai came, if anything else, she’s already expecting his visit.
“Where is he? Where’s the Chibi?” , Dazai said, not panicked, but not calm either.
Kouyou gestured for him to sit down, and offered him a tea. Dazai sat down and eyed the woman in front of him.
“Careful Dazai, I might mistake your look right now as of that someone who cares” , Kouyou sipped from her own tea and continued, “What you know, is the same as mine, the same as any other people who he sent the same message”
“No, you’re lying. Chuuya would never do such a thing, leaving is the last thing he’ll do”, Dazai responded, a hint of disbelief in his voice. He can’t fathom why, this is not the Chibi at all.
“Really, Dazai? And here I thought you know him best, you’re right though. The lad is never the one to go off, but we can’t blame him, can we?” , Kouyou smiled at Dazai , “I expect you know the reason”
Dazai felt embarassed, he shouldn’t feel this way. He shouldn’t care that Chuuya left and did not tell him a thing. He nodded at what his Ane-san said, he fully understand. Port Mafia is not a place a person like Chuuya should be in, he should be showered in light. Chuuya deserved more, he deserve every chance for a life better than what he was offered back when they were only 15.
“I’m leaving Ane-san, I apologize for the sudden intrusion.” , Dazai stated without looking at Kouyou, he can’t now. He promised her before that he will keep Chuuya safe, and her warm smile made him realize that he has a promise to keep. He needs to find Chuuya, he won’t drag him back, he just wants to make sure he’s safe.
“It seems that my wings are not capable enough for those lost children”, Kouyou’s tone of voice dragged Dazai’s attention to her, she look as classy and sophisticated as usual, but her eyes tell a different story.
“That includes you Dazai” , Their eyes met, and Dazai’s heart sunk. This is the very first time he’s ever seen Kouyou look so broken. Her eyes are filled with pain and longing, and it tells a story of repeated abandonment from people she love and value the most.
“Ane-san, I’ll talk to you soon”, He can’t stay there anymore, guilt’s gnawing in his stomach. He needs to find Chuuya, not only for himself, but also for Ane-san.
He went back to the places he and Chuuya shared a space in, the memories came rushing back at him. For four years he tried his best to avoid any of this, he managed but it’s different now. Instead of avoiding, he’s trying his best to purposely walk through again all of it, see if he can find clues or if Chuuya decided to just stay somewhere to breathe.
He first went to Chuuya’s apartment, maybe Chibi just got shitfaced drunk and is just oversleeping, but he’s later proven wrong when he entered Chuuya’s crib. No sign of life anywhere, the place seem to look as if its owner just went out on a vacation. He checked Chuuya’s bedroom, everything in it is fine, nothing’s out of place. He noticed how everything in it is arranged perfectly, where is Chuuya? How can he leave and just leave everybody hanging?
He checked a coffee shop they frequent whenever they had to pull an all-nighter when they were teens, no sign of Chuuya. He went to the park, a place Chuuya loved but refused to admit, no Chuuya as well. It’s getting late, the orange hues are kissing the sea and he suddenly remembered a place, it made him feel stupid of how he just thought of it now. He ran to a place, resembling a cliff and he decided to go near a certain someone’s grave, no Chuuya.
He feels frustrated now, he’s thought of going back to Chuuya’s apartment but as he’s just about to walk away, when he’s phone rang. He answered and stood facing the sea, still wondering where Chuuya is.
“Dazai-kun, we have received information regarding Nakahara Chuuya’s whereabouts” , an acquaintance from the past greeted him, it made him anxious though, how did the government learned of Chuuya’s disappearance fast? and they even found him first.
“I contacted you for the sole reason that we need your assistance in nullifying his ability” , what Ango said triggered his thoughts to haywire, panic suddenly dawned on him.
“Ango, you’re taking your sweet time, just tell me where he is” , Dazai said with gritted teeth, he can’t wait any longer and risk losing Chuuya permanently. Ango hurriedly answered him by sending him the coordinates, and before they ended the call.
He doesn’t care anymore. He called Chuuya’s number repeatedly as he made his way to the other’s location. He doesn’t believe in a particular God, but in that moment he prayed only for Chuuya.
He expected nothing less of a carnage, but he’s wrong. What welcomed him is a garden, with a small gazeebo right at the middle. It’s dark now, dark enough that lights in the said garden illuminates the whole place. His heart is trumming in his chest, he scanned the whole place and thinks that if he ever gets Chuuya back, he’ll definitely try taking Chuuya in a place similar to this. He wonders what Chuuya will look like surrounded my the lights and flowers. He bets no one will ever measure up to Chuuya himself.
He walked briskly towards the gazeebo when he saw that someone, is in there. Chuuya is in there. He started running when he’s about a few feet away, and stopped an armlength from the other. Chuuya’s wearing a beige sweater and loose pants, his usual choker and despicable hat.
“I knew that a Mackerel like you won’t listen. You’re so damn stubborn” , Chuuya whispered, and turned to face him. His hands in his pockets, presenting Dazai a fond smile, so genuine that it hurts Dazai.
“Chibi… what the hell happened? Ane-san was so worried. I,for real thought that I lost my dog!” , Dazai said dismissing his earlier distress and panic.
Dazai feels stupid. He’s been worried all day, and now, he can’t read the atmosphere. He feels stupid because he thinks that Chuuya will push him away, break up with him.
He watched as Chuuya walked towards the side of the gazeebo, sat down and motioned Dazai to sit next to him. This is really confusing, Dazai thought. He still sat though, afterall, he’s missed Chuuya and he needs to know what the fuck is up with his Chibi.
“What’s with your message? Have you drank too much wine that you drowned your own nonexistent brain?”, Dazai questioned, trying to mask up his anxiousness.
“We were 17 when we saw a garden in Venice, we were in a very tight spot that we never had the chance to stop and admire the whole thing though”, Chuuya started after a long silence, while looking at the lights scattered throughout the whole garden. Dazai watched him carefully, what is Chuuya thinking?
“Slug, I completely remember it, but what of it now? Are you leaving for Venice?” , he said, trying to catch Chuuya’s eyes. His heart sunk when Chuuya looked him in the eye, and he saw how glassy Chuuya’s eyes are.
“No dumbfuck! I just figured that we can experience the thing now, here we are now” , Chuuya said trying to laugh things off, while even gesturing to the whole view.
Dazai is worried now, he can’t read Chuuya.
“I’ve loved you Osamu for years now. I always wanted to go back to Venice with you, but we never had the chance to” , Chuuya leaned on Dazai, and closed his eyes as he continue, “I knew you’d always come for me and I do the same for you, that’s just how things are”
Dazai, while still confused, held Chuuya’s hand. He doesn’t know what’s happening, but he wants to treasure this moment, to live it with Chuuya.
“Chuu, what’s wrong?”, he finally asked slowly, making sure that Chuuya is comfortable. Chuuya faced him, with eyes still glassy and a tint of pink on his cheeks:
“Let’s get married, Osamu.”
Silence.
Shock.
“Let’s elope to Venice, I mean, we can always come back I just want to go there--”, Dazai hugged a panicked Chuuya trying to save face from his initial offer. He buried his face on the crook of Chuuya’s neck and whispered his words , “Ofcourse Chibi”
Chuuya’s action halts and Dazai continued, “Let’s go anywhere you want, no one needs to know. Let’s live Chuu”, his eyes are misty when he heard his Chibi sobbed, thanking him and holding him tighter than he ever did before.
They stayed like that for some time.
He understands now. Chuuya wants to take a break, and he’s more than willing to stay with Chuuya. He doesn't mind at all. He'll be where Chuuya is, anytime.
They later left the country, but he made sure that Chuuya contacted Anee-san first. The two talked for a long time, probably Anee-san scolding Chuuya for pulling something like that.
He asked the President for an indefinite leave.
They went on to explore places, putting their lives as a mafioso and a detective behind.