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Chuuya was distraught.
His stuffed bunny toy was missing.
Yes, he was a twenty-four-year-old Mafia Executive who slept with a stuffed bunny, but he couldn’t sleep tidy without it. The bunny, who he’d named Ruby, had been a gag gift from Dazai for his 18th birthday.
“Chibi’s the size of a child, so he needs to have a gift fit for a child!”
He’d scoffed when he was given it, wondering what ulterior motive Dazai had, but in the days after Dazai had left, the bunny had dried his tears and he soon found the only way he could get a good night of uninterrupted sleep was if the bunny was cwtched close. Over the years the Bunny had become his close confidant, he would find himself talking to the toy, knowing whatever he said wouldn’t be repeated and he always felt better after he had talked his emotions out, even if he never got an answer.
****
Chuuya had been away on a mission for two weeks, he had left the Bunny at home, afraid of being teased by his subordinates if they caught him sleeping with it. When he returned to Yokohama, he had several days’ worth of reports to get done so had dropped in at home to collect some spare clothes and Ruby. He had a private bedroom at the Port Mafia HQ and was looking forward to finally getting a night of decent sleep.
Content with Ruby in his arms, he had overslept and was woken by Ane-san banging on his door, he quickly dressed and locked the door behind him. He could come back later in the day to tidy up and collect his dirty clothes, he felt a bit bad leaving Ruby alone in a strange place, but he shook his head, reminding himself that it was only stuffed toy.
****
The two weeks Chuuya had been on a mission had been hell for Dazai. The Agency had been super busy and being unable to sneak into Chuuya’s apartment to sleep in his arms meant Dazai had barely slept.
He knew after six years he should come clean, that whilst he had gifted Chuuya a soft bunny toy, it was an exact replica of his bunny form. He hadn’t expected Chuuya to keep the Bunny, but when he had snuck into Chuuya’s apartment a week after leaving the Mafia and saw the Bunny cwtched tight to Chuuya, he found himself jealous. The next day he snuck in when Chuuya was at work, hid the Bunny somewhere Chuuya wouldn’t look and transformed, before tucking himself in to Chuuya’s bed. Before long, his two years were up and even though he had started at Agency, he still found himself sneaking over to Chuuya’s bed most nights.
He had thought of telling Chuuya the truth, just poof! Back into his human form one night and deal with the fallout, but he was scared. As Chuuya was often in a talkative mood, and talked to him the Bunny about all of his feelings from trouble at work, to the fact he couldn’t stop dreaming of kissing a certain annoying ex-co worker (that reveal had almost been enough for Dazai to accidentally poof back, but he managed not to, grateful that he couldn’t speak to regular humans in his bunny form)
Which led him to his current predicament, he was locked in a Port Mafia bedroom, with no idea if or when Chuuya was returning. It was his first day off in weeks and despite the sleep with Chuuya he was still knackered and the Mafia bed was nowhere near as comfortable as Chuuya’s. He poofed back into his human form, grateful for the magic that allowed his clothes to reappear and disappear with him, and pulled his trusty hair pins out. He could unlock the door from this side, but as Chuuya’s belongings were still in the room, Dazai would feel guilty if he left the door unlocked.
He got out of the Port Mafia HQ with minimal problems, feeling rather smug that Mori hadn’t replaced any of the security practices he had implemented, back when he was an executive. He hadn’t bothered taking his wallet with him when he had stumbled over to Chuuya’s the night before, so he began the long walk back to the Agency dorms. He was almost there when he stumbled and soon found himself on the floor.
In his bunny form.
In the middle of a crowded street
and he didn’t have the energy to turn back.
He couldn’t even move his stuffed limbs enough to get out of the way of those passing by. He groaned to himself, he hadn’t lost control over his form like this since he was a teenager. He heard some familiar voices.
“Kyoka what’s wrong?” Atsushi asked.
“There’s a bunny toy on the floor, some little girl must have lost it.” Kyoka picked the toy/Dazai up by an arm. “It’s clearly well loved, the little girl must be distraught.”
“Why don’t we take it back to the agency? We’ve got a quiet day, we can make and distribute some posters and hopefully reunite them?” Atsushi suggested.
“Sounds like a plan.”
Atsushi smiled, and started heading towards the Agency, getting a few steps before realising Kyoka wasn’t following.
“Kyoka?”
“Can we go to the toy shop? When we reunite bunny with it’s owners, I want the child to think the bunny had a fun little adventure.”
“That’s such a sweet idea, sure. There’s a shop close to the agency.” Atsushi smiled.
They took their time in the toy shop, trying various outfits on the Bunny, in the end they settled on a pair of delicate, gold fairy wings and a purple tutu – both pieces sparkled.
“The little girl should love this Kyoka.” Atsushi smiled as he paid for the items.
“I hope so, I know if I’d lost a toy like this, I would be happy knowing it had been treated well when we were apart.”
An hour later, the posters were made and Atsushi and Kyoka were waiting next to the phone, hoping for a happy ending. After taking the pictures they had placed the wings and tutu back on the bunny.
Dazai was using this opportunity to nap, there was nothing he could do until his energy had been replenished and he really wanted to be awake when they realised the ‘little girl’ was actually a tiny mafia executive.
*****
Chuuya sighed, he had worked at speeds he hadn’t known were possible, but the reports were finally done, handed to Mori and he’d been given the rest of the week off. He just had to collect his clothes and Ruby and he could finally go home and relax. He unlocked the door to his Mafia bedroom and immediately knew something was wrong. His bunny was missing, but the door was clearly locked and it showed no signs of forced entry. He packed his clothes quickly, trying to convince himself he had been so sleep deprived that he had imagined packing Ruby, and that his bunny would be waiting for him, tucked into bed where he usually left it.
It wasn’t.
He felt like crying, he didn’t have any childhood toys and his Ruby had been the closest to something like that he had ever owned. It may have been a gag gift, but it had made him feel loved, like someone cared enough to get him such a thoughtful gift. Maybe he had dropped it on the way to or from his car the night before?
Sleep could wait, he had to find Ruby. He would search the streets for a few hours and if nothing came up, then maybe, he would consider asking Dazai where he bought the toy and get himself a replacement. But that would involve admitting to Dazai that he liked his gift, enough to still have it six years later, and that felt scarier than admitting he wanted to kiss him. Chuuya shook his head, he was only reacting so emotionally because he was tired.
He had been searching for an hour, looking down side streets and asking in shops if anyone had seen the toy, then the poster caught his eye. It was asking if anyone had lost a toy and Chuuya couldn’t contain his joy when he realised the picture was of Ruby. The address was nearby so Chuuya didn’t bother ringing and made his way straight there.
He knocked on the door, wondering why it looked familiar. When Kunikida opened it, he realised why.
“Nakahara-san?” Kunikida greeted him, confusion in his voice.
Chuuya blushed, “I..I’m here for the Bunny?”
“The….bunny?” Kunikida asked
“This toy is yours Chuuya-san?” Atsushi asked, holding up the bunny.
“Yes!” Chuuya ran forward, grabbing the Bunny from Atsushi and cwtching it tight. “Sorry for snatching, a dear friend gifted this to me many years ago…”
“No need to explain Chuuya-san.” Atsushi smiled, taking a step back, the Mafia members and their ever changing moods always made him nervous.
“Don’t worry Mr Fancy-Hat, you’re not the only grown up with a stuffed toy, Kunikida’s got his froggy, Atsushi’s got his Tiger,”
“Hey! That was a gift from Kyoka” Atsushi grumbled.
“And I’m sure Dazai has something to” Ranpo told him, he of course, knew Dazai was the Bunny in Chuuya’s arms, but he would leave it up to the man to tell people about his other ability.
“Pfft I’m sure Dazai’s idea of ‘toy’ is an empty bottle of sake to cuddle with when he passes out.” Chuuya laughed, he stopped holding the toy so close and looked at the new outfit, “This outfit is so cute!”
“We thought a little girl had lost it, so we decided to take Bunny on an adventure” Kyoka explained,
“Well, Ruby’s been stuck in my room for many years so I guess they enjoyed their little adventure today.” Chuuya smiled, reaching into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, “Let me give you the money to cover it, it was my own mistake that got it lost so you shouldn’t have to pay for that.” Chuuya placed more than enough money to cover the outfit on the table, and bowed to Atsushi and Kyoka, “Thank you very much for finding Ruby, I hope putting up the posters didn’t pull you away from anything to important.”
“It was nothing Chuuya-san, we’re just happy we could reunite you.” Atsushi smiled, Kyoka nodding behind him. Chuuya said goodbye and left for home, pulling his coat close so he could keep Ruby safe.
When he got home, he placed Ruby on the countertop in his bathroom and showered, needing to wash the stress of the day away. When he was done and his hair dried, he turned to the Bunny. Ruby’s fur was dark, so it rarely showed dirt, but just in case Chuuya filled the sink with warm water and a squirt of his favourite shower gel. He found a flannel, wringing it out and started gently rubbing the Bunny’s fur.
It was the softest thing Dazai had ever felt and he just wanted to melt into Chuuya’s arms.
“I’m sorry I lost you today Ruby.” Chuuya murmured, as he removed the fairy wings and tutu. “I won’t take you on any sleepovers again,” he sniffled, trying to hold back tears and not knowing why he wanted to cry. “I mean where would I be without my closest confidant?” Chuuya laughed, “I almost had to call Dazai today and admit to him I liked his gift and was distraught that I’d lost it. I bet he doesn’t even remember getting you, he probably grabbed you off the shelf five minutes before he turned up at my door.”
As Chuuya talked, Dazai was cursing the fact he couldn’t speak to him in this form. He wanted to tell him how he’d had the other Bunny custom made, that he’d had it created to help him tell Chuuya his big secret, but in the end, he’d been too scared to tell him.
“Although your fur is almost the exact same shade as his hair, I bet that’s what drew him to you, it is a beautiful colour. I don’t know which one of you is cuter” Chuuya sighed, he was putting his feelings for the bandaged idiot on to the Bunny (again)
Content Ruby was clean, Chuuya grabbed a dry towel and ruffled the Bunny’s fur until it was dry. After a moment, he put the wings and tutu back on the Bunny.
“There we are, all clean and sparkling like new” Chuuya smiled and placed a light kiss on the bunny’s pale pink nose.
Then he screamed as the soft fur turned to flesh under his hand and the soft thread nose became lips.
Lips that were kissing him back.
Chuuya pulled away, getting ready to summon Tainted and get rid of whatever abomination his sweet little bunny had turned into. His ability fizzled out before he could follow through on his plan as an hand wrapped around his wrist.
“Chuuya! Sorry, damnit sorry!” Dazai stumbled over his words, he hadn’t meant to switch back, but the unexpected but sweet gesture had overloaded his mind and he’d lost control, wanting to chase the affection before it was out of reach once more.
“Dazai? What the hell? Is this some sort of sick joke?” Chuuya snatched his arm out of Dazai’s grasp.
“No joke. I should have told you sooner, I’m sorry.”
“Told me what?”
“My people, that is, the village I grew up in all have this ability. Well, it’s not an ability like Tainted or No Longer Human, I mean most people called it a curse. Anyway, we can turn ourselves into a stuffed toy. Each family has its own animal, my family were bunnies, my neighbours were frogs, I’m sure someone down the street could turn into a dragon,” Dazai laughed at the memory, “yeah, a teeny tiny stuffed toy dragon. No one really understood why, I thought it was a common thing until I changed in front of Mori and gave him forty-fits.”
“Are you…” Chuuya paused trying to think of the right word, “aware? When you’re in your bunny form?”
“Yeah, my mind is active, I can move about, well usually. I was exhausted from work and not sleeping with Chibi for two weeks and I just poofed! Into my bunny form in the street and couldn’t get back into my human form. I can’t talk to a regular human though, someone from my village could understand me but that’s it.”
“But… you gave me the Bunny whilst you were human?”
Dazai blushed, “It was custom made for you Chibi, I wanted to tell you my secret, but I chickened out. It’s currently in the top of your wardrobe, behind your box of keepsakes, Ruby, well the real Ruby, covers for me when I’m unable to get here, if I know I won’t be about I’ll leave that bunny out.” Dazai paused, realising his explanation could get confusing, “the other bunny is just a stuffed toy, I promise.”
“So every night I cried into that bear’s head, or told it my biggest problems and secrets, was it you or Ruby?”
Dazai paused, wondering if he should lie, but if he truly wanted Chuuya, they need to be honest with each other.
“It was me, most of the time. After I defected, I came here almost every night, and I’ve kept it up since. I couldn’t sleep without you.” Dazai blushed. "I always wished I could comfort you, tell you it would all be okay, that maybe..." Dazai trailed off, afraid to admit his feelings.
“I can’t sleep without you, well the bunny either.” Chuuya was starting to calm down, “Hang on, can you bring bunny parts to your human form?”
“Hmm I’ve never tried,” Dazai concentrated and two bunny ears sprouted from his head, made of the same soft material of his bunny form. “Oh, I was going for a tail”
“They’re cute,” Chuuya smiled and took a step forward, “You’re cute to.” Chuuya leant up and kissed Dazai, the surprise knocking him back into his bunny form. Chuuya grabbed him before he landed on the floor, unsure of what to do with him, Chuuya took the bunny to his bed, the wings and tutu had returned with Dazai bunny form.
“You rest here, I’m assuming you can poof back when your energy returns?” Chuuya knew he wouldn’t get an answer but he wanted Dazai to know he was trying to help. He turned away and rummaged through his drawers, finding an oversized t-shirt and a pair of fresh boxers for Dazai to wear.
“Chuuuya! You’re not supposed to surprise me like that!” Dazai whined, back in his human form.
“So, all I’ve got to do is kiss you and you turn into a mute toy? Where was this cheat when we were partners?” Chuuya laughed.
“Unfair!” Dazai pouted
“Here’s some clothes if you want to change? I’m guessing it’s some weird magic as to why you’re still clothed and why the wings and tutu aren't on you now, but I’m assuming it doesn’t let you magically change outfits?”
“No, I stay in whatever I was wearing when I poofed into my bunny form or vice versa. Wait, you want me to stay?”
“Yeah,” Chuuya smiled,
“But why?” Dazai asked, confused.
“Weren’t you listening on all my lonely nights? I love you Dazai and your actions speak for you, I reckon you love me to.” Chuuya smiled, Dazai didn’t quite know how to answer, so he took the clothes and went into the bathroom to change. He should shower, but after the gentle bath Chuuya had given his bunny form, he didn’t want to wash away the softness he was still feeling from it. His mind was still trying to process Chuuya’s confession, but he didn’t want to run away, he wanted to feel Chuuya’s softness every day, to keep experiencing the kisses so surprising he lost all control of himself. He wanted to say the words.
Dazai opened the bathroom door, dumping his clothes in a ball on the floor. Chuuya was already in the bed, the spare bunny next to him.
“It’s a good match, but it’s not as cwtchy as you.” Chuuya murmured.
“Well, I couldn’t make my replacement better than me.” Dazai laughed, pulling back the covers and sliding in next to Chuuya. He took Chuuya’s hand and kissed it,
“I love you Chibi. I’ve never felt comfortable revealing my true form to anyone else before, and no one has ever managed to surprise me enough to make me poof back into my bunny form.”
“No one?”
“Nope, that’s an honour only you get.”
“Hey your ears are back!” Chuuya grinned, reaching up to gently stroke them. “They’re so soft”
Dazai giggled,
“Sorry they…they’re ticklish, I’m not used to having them out on my human body.”
“Well, you look beautiful.” Chuuya told him, yawning at the end of the last word
Dazai blushed, “Hmm you can compliment me more once we’ve had a good sleep.”
Chuuya placed the other bunny on his nightstand, and turned off the light. He pulled Dazai close, placing a light kiss on his lips,
“Night Dazai.”
“Night Chibi.”
As they settled, Dazai slipped back into his Bunny form, too tired to stop it.
The next morning Chuuya woke up to Dazai still in his arms, he was back in his human form, bunny ears on his head. It was still strange that his beloved stuffed bunny was actually his annoying ex-partner, but if he could wake up everyday like this, surrounded by happiness and love, then he could live with it.