Work Text:
"Chuuyaaaaa!"
An annoyingly loud voice blared through his apartment after he heard his door open so violently, he's not sure whether it got kicked in or just hit the wall.
Either way, Chuuya is anything but pleased about it.
"Quit yelling and just knock like a normal person!
How the hell did you get in this time?!"
Chuuya's complaining voice, ironically, kept getting louder as he practically ran from whichever room he was in to the hallway.
"I replaced the locks!"
"And I found the spare key!"
His upstairs neighbor looked at him with a smug smile as he dangled them in front of Chuuya.
But they didn't stay there for long since Chuuya quickly snatched them out of his hands.
"Where the hell did you find these?!
I keep these inside!"
Honestly, Chuuya wouldn't even have taken spare keys if the company didn't insist on him being given multiple keys.
He just knew that having more than one key was a horrible idea.
"And I was inside your home for dinner yesterday, remember?"
The other said with a grin Chuuya wished he could wipe off his face.
He's so incredibly annoying.
Out of all the possible people he could've had as his neighbors, Chuuya somehow managed to get the worst of them all.
He must've gotten set up for this.
This must all be an elaborate prank from that bastard Dazai.
Surely, he must've had his hands in this…
Yet Chuuya didn't dwell on it for much longer since there are more urgent matters he has to focus on.
Namely, the fact that,
"You weren't here at all yesterday!"
But his neighbor just looked at him rather confused after that statement.
"Of course I was--"
He began talking.
But before he could say much more, his thoughts began to trail.
Cogs began to turn inside his head almost visibly before he corrected his statement:
"Y'know what?
I think I was here while you were still at work."
"Albatross, for the umpteenth time, stop breaking into my apartment!"
Chuuya truly managed to get the worst upstairs neighbor ever.
Albatross is noisy all around the clock, he never respects his privacy and Chuuya is pretty sure Albatross actively stalks him given all the times he randomly tracks him down throughout the day.
Chuuya already checked his entire apartment and all his clothes but he still has yet to find the tracking device Albatross would have to use…
"But I didn't break into your apartment!
I just told you that I used the spare key!"
The other interrupted Chuuya's train of thought.
Unfortunately for him, it didn't automatically interrupt Chuuya's fury as well.
"That doesn't make it any better!
Leave!"
He demands from the other yet doesn't actively wait for the other to do so.
Chuuya knows that Albatross would never go no matter how often he requests him to.
The only thing that has proven to help thus far is actively shoving Albatross out of his home.
Which is exactly what he does, not even listening to the other's protest as he closed the door in front of his face.
Chuuya sure is lucky to be stronger than most people.
He genuinely wouldn't know how to deal with the other if he couldn't quite literally kick him out.
Although, there's still a high risk of Albatross just attempting to pick the lock after having been kicked out.
Hence, Chuuya decided to wait at the door for a few moments, seeing if Albatross likes his life or if he's willing to risk it.
He stood there for quite a while.
Chuuya figured he's better safe than sorry.
He really isn't in the mood to deal with Albatross today.
Or any day, really.
So after Chuuya doesn't hear him again, he sighs in relief and turns around to…
Well, he was going to go back to whatever he was doing before.
But when he turned around, the very first thing he saw was Albatross leaning against one of the many doorways.
He-
How-
How did he-
Where did he-
What?!
Admittedly, it startles Chuuya a bit and he freezes in place for a moment.
A moment Albatross uses to release a mocking chuckle before saying:
"I was wondering when you'd stop staring at the door."
Unfortunately, that comment would pull Chuuya out of his trance, resulting in him yelling:
"Get out of my damn apartment!"
He called as he stormed towards Albatross and tackled him.
It caused the other's stupid chuckle to quickly turn into a startled yelp.
"Chuuya, what are you–"
Albatross had the audacity to start complaining, yet didn't get to say much since Chuuya quickly started yelling as well.
And he yelled louder!
"I still have to finish five reports and start investigating a matter of a new jewelry dealer appearing all of a sudden!
I don't have time for you!"
Chuuya has been angrily shaking Albatross' form the whole time he was talking.
He grabbed him by that stupid vest and kept lifting him up by it the tiniest bit before smacking him against the floor again.
Chuuya wasn't actually using his ability but he's quite strong as is.
Especially once anger is rushing through his body!
He was definitely slamming the other down with enough force to knock Albatross' stupid sunglasses off his face.
Despite that, the other didn't seem too faced.
When his eyes were revealed, all Chuuya could see was a questioning gaze as if he's actually contemplating what Chuuya was saying.
Could it be that he might actually give in and let Chuuya do his work for once?
Chuuya actually stopped shaking the other as he realized that.
Instead he waited for Albatross' response, hoping oh so much that the other has mercy with him for once and just leaves him be.
But this is Albatross they're talking about.
Ultimately, his stupid smile appears back on his face and he pointed a finger up at Chuuya:
"That's exactly why Pianoman sent me here!"
The finger got uncomfortably close to his face so Chuuya let go of the other's body in order to be able to smack it away.
Only then did he actually respond to the other's statement:
"The hell do you mean?"
"He said that you looked pretty tired last time he saw you so he worried you might be overworking yourself and wanted me to come and distract you for a while!"
Chuuya honestly just released a dry, breathless laugh at that, getting off the other's body since he figured wrestling with Albatross is of no use either.
That idiot just doesn't know when to leave him alone no matter what he does, it seems.
"It's kinda funny you say that given you're the reason I can't sleep.
Working to pass the night is much more efficient than lying in bed restlessly."
"Awe, come on!
I'm not that loud!"
Albatross defended himself as he sat up as well.
He didn't care to dust himself off but he did take time to clean his sunglasses before putting them back on.
"You're the loudest person I've ever met!"
Was all Chuuya said in response to that, glaring down at the idiot who just looked up at him with his ever present smile.
"You ever looked in the mirror?"
Was all Albatross said with a chuckle before he stood up properly.
He could tell that Chuuya was about to throw another temper tantrum because of that comeback any moment now.
Therefore, he decided to keep talking before Chuuya can begin his never ending rant:
"Anyway, Pianoman said that I'm meant to drag you out and have fun for a few hours so you got 5 minutes to get ready for our date."
Chuuya just wrinkled his nose in disgust at that wording.
"Don't call it that."
Was what he said first and foremost.
Yet he obviously still has more to complain about:
"And I just told you that I still have work to do!
I can't go out with you now!"
Albatross just sighed at that.
As if he has any right to be exasperated by Chuuya after he broke into his home and tried to upturn his whole schedule!
Yet Albatross just mumbled to himself:
"Can't you ever make it easy?"
And just like that, he grabbed Chuuya by the collar and began dragging him away.
"You know how scary Pianoman can be!
I'm not waiting for him to unleash his wrath on me because I failed to execute his order!
You're coming with me now!"
Chuuya would rather not, actually.
And he'd make that very clear through his complaints!
But honestly, yeah, Pianoman can be pretty damn scary and if Chuuya doesn't do what he says, he's probably going to get an earful too.
Which he'd rather avoid, honestly, so as much as he hates it, he'd begrudgingly tag along.
"The hell are we even gonna do?!
Are they just going to be walking around in circles for the next few hours?
Chuuya really doesn't see any reason behind all of this.
It all just seems pointless to him.
He could be at home and do actual work now but instead he's being dragged around seemingly aimlessly.
Oh, but it's not aimless at all.
Albatross already got something in store for them:
"Today's a street race.
I was gonna participate before Pianoman told me to babysit you.
So… Now I'm still gonna participate and just take you with me!"
Uh huh.
A street race?
Chuuya figures that's more interesting than running around in circles, at least.
But he can't help but wonder:
"Are they gonna be alright with me being there?"
"Whatcha mean?"
Albatross' eyes may be hidden behind his sunglasses but the crease in his forehead is still visible.
Chuuya assumes the other must be frowning.
Does he really not see the problem?
"I'm hardly sixteen and my growth spurt hasn't hit yet!
They alright with teens participating?"
Sure, street races are illegal but even criminals have consciences, right?
Chuuya definitely wouldn't want other teens to participate in such dangerous events.
Yet instead of a proper response to his question, Chuuya receives a question from Albatross instead:
"How old do you think I am?"
Huh?
That's kind of a random question, isn't it?
Admittedly, Chuuya has no idea how old Albatross actually is.
"You're not that much taller than me and you're acting like a child half of the time but somehow you're in charge of the mafia vehicles so I figure you're at least twenty."
Albatross actually stopped in his track at that.
He just stood there and looked at Chuuya with a confused seeming expression.
God, he's so annoyingly difficult to read with those ever present sunglasses.
Chuuya is gonna wipe them off his face someday.
Yet that confused expression slowly turned into a smug smile before Albatross didn't appear to be able to control himself anymore and started laughing uncontrollably.
"What?"
Was all Chuuya asked.
Now he's the one with a confused expression as Albatross doubled over and held onto his stomach.
"What?!"
Chuuya asked more adamantly yet Albatross just kept on laughing more and more.
"The hell are you laughing about?!"
Chuuya full on yelled as he grabbed Albatross by his shoulders and pulled him back up into a standing position.
He's pretty pissed and his scowl says as much.
Yet Albatross still has the audacity to giggle a little as he raised his sunglasses up the tiniest bit to wipe tears of laughter away.
"You seriously think I'm twenty?"
Albatross decided to ask once he started feeling a bit better again.
By then, Chuuya finally let go of the other.
"Or older, yeah."
That's just plausible, isn't it?
Albatross is almost always in charge when it's about transport.
They assign extremely important and top secret missions to him.
They wouldn't do that with just anyone, right?
Albatross must have a decent bit of experience.
Yet Albatross just chuckled one last time before revealing his real age to Chuuya:
"I'm hardly seventeen."
Huh?
What?!
Seventeen?!
But that means-
"You're just one year older than me?!"
There's no way!
That just can't be true!
"Why are they allowing you to handle our vehicles?!"
Albatross just started laughing all over again when he saw Chuuya freak out like that.
To think that the other was so wrong about his age!
Did he really think he's one of the old guys like Doc or Iceman?
Come on!
"We're in the mafia!
Like anyone gives a damn about age!
I'm good at what I do and that's all they ever cared about."
Nothing else ever mattered.
No one batted an eye about someone as young as him dealing with all their vehicle business after he proved how good he is at it.
"So to answer the question; yeah I'm pretty sure no one gives a damn at the street race either.
So let's go!"
Albatross exclaimed before he resumed walking.
Yet Chuuya just stood there for a few more moments, almost in a trance of sorts.
Albatross is just one year older than him…
That definitely explains a lot of his behavior and his height but… somehow Chuuya still can't believe it.
But he'd snap out of it eventually and run after Albatross.
"Hey! Wait for me!"
Before they're heading to the actual location of the race, Albatross brings Chuuya to a garage nearby.
Opening it reveals some fancy sports car Chuuya bets is fast but that's just about all he can tell about it.
Well, no, he can also tell that it got a custom paint job and it's missing a license plate but Chuuya really has no clue about much more than that.
He could ask Albatross, of course, but he'd rather not listen to an hour long rant about car parts.
Chuuya wouldn't understand a damn thing anyway.
Therefore, all he asks in the end is:
"Is this a mafia vehicle?"
"Nah, the only color the mafia wants their cars to be is black.
A neon green like this isn't exactly their taste.
I just found this beauty at a house of someone who… the mafia wasn't too keen on anymore.
Figured a corpse has no use for a car so it's mine for now.
I'll probably sell it and I figured winning a street race is a good way to promote such a fine thing."
Albatross explained all that as he approached the car and opened a door for Chuuya as if he's a gentleman.
Chuuya just rolled his eyes as he sat down on the passenger seat.
"So you got a random guy's car and are trying to win a race with it?"
That just sounds idiotic to Chuuya.
Sure, he doesn't know much about cars and races and whatnot but don't people usually spend years tuning their cars and learning every little quirk about them to win races?
Albatross seems a bit too optimistic about this whole thing…
Yet Albatross doesn't even appear to understand that.
He'd just get into the driver's seat and say:
"That's the gist of it, yeah."
Chuuya maybe would've explained to Albatross how stupid that sounds but he was quickly distracted by the car quite literally roaring to life, causing Chuuya to flinch in his seat.
"The hell's it so loud for?!"
Chuuya can hardly hear himself talk and that definitely has to mean something.
He looked over to Albatross who was just smiling ecstatically about the sound.
God, he's such a psychopath…
His hearing must be so messed up too…
"I think that thing has been that guy's passion project."
Albatross explained with a chuckle before beginning to drive to the hangout.
Oh he's definitely looking forward to the race.
They're always so much fun!
Meanwhile Chuuya was just covering his ears by the time they arrived.
It's so annoyingly loud, he can't deal with it.
"You always have spare parts laying around everywhere.
You can't tell me you ain't got a damn muffler somewhere!"
Yet Albatross just shrugged, not seeing Chuuya's issue at all.
"Who needs a muffler?
The louder, the better."
Of course it is for Albatross.
He's crazy after all.
Pianoman could've come himself.
Or he could've sent Lippmann.
Maybe even Iceman or Doc.
But no.
For some reason he decided to give the job to Albatross.
What was he thinking?!
Does he secretly hate him or something?
God, Chuuya is so done with today already.
It would've been less exhausting to just stay at home and work all night.
Spending five minutes with Albatross equals five days without any sleep and Chuuya has had to spend too many five minutes with Albatross already.
…And it just never seems to end.
"How long do these kinda meetups take?"
Chuuya asked Albatross once they're outside the car.
Hopefully this won't take too long.
He doesn't think he'll survive spending any more time with Albatross without going insane.
Especially after Chuuya failed to distract him and Albatross did rant about car parts the whole ride here.
"About one or two hours.
Not too long since we don't wanna alert the police.
But it depends on the track, really."
Sometimes races take longer and sometimes they're really short.
Either way, Chuuya isn't pleased with Albatross' answer.
One or two more hours…
He's hardly going to survive five more seconds with him.
"People usually bring chicks to impress and no dudes!"
Chuuya gets startled out of his thoughts when he suddenly heard someone call towards them.
The hell?!
He'd immediately turn towards where he heard that voice.
But before he could do much more, he suddenly felt an arm around him.
Then Chuuya's head turned towards who the arm belongs to: Albatross.
"You don't think he looks kissable?!"
He calls back provokingly as he made a kissing motion towards Chuuya.
He immediately pushed Albatross face away.
"You're the worst."
Chuuya says with a disgusted wrinkle of his nose, the guy yelling towards them all forgotten.
Especially since they actually left after Albatross' demonstration.
The other just chuckled before saying:
"Everyone's trying to intimidate their rivals and make them nervous.
You just gotta play along and be confident."
Was all Albatross said with a shrug.
He knows this kinda stuff.
He has participated in more than enough races.
Chuuya just thinks that sounds weird but sure.
Albatross must know best… probably.
He's curious about something else, though:
"Do people actually bring girls here?"
"Of course they do!
Why shouldn't they?
Girls can be into races too.
Especially if they can get some of the prize money by sleeping with the winner."
Albatross explained matter of factly yet Chuuya began to sputter as he choked on his own spit due to his statement.
"Girls do what exactly now?!"
Albatross has got to be joking!
Why would they do that?!
There are way better ways to make money!
"It's pretty common.
You don't know about that kinda stuff?"
Did Chuuya live under a rock or something?
He's part of the mafia.
Prostitution is one of the many branches they use to make money too.
Chuuya never heard of it?
"I mean-
I just don't get why they'd do it on their own behalf!"
Chuuya knows that some do it out of necessity but he still feels as though there are better ways.
Even in this line of work in and of itself.
Street races just don't sound like a good idea.
But really, what does he know?
He just wonders:
"Have you ever brought anyone like that with you?"
"Nah.
I don't have to waste money on that kinda stuff.
You think I'm that desperate?"
Albatross isn't really offended by Chuuya's question but he is a bit puzzled about why Chuuya felt the need to ask that at all.
And honestly, Chuuya does feel a bit stupid about having asked now.
"I-
Uh-
Not really."
Albatross strikes him as someone who likes being with girls.
Just like Lippmann.
But given his crude nature, Chuuya doesn't think he's as successful as him
Nevertheless, Chuuya doesn't think Albatross would stoop that low for girls.
He's foul mouthed and badly mannered but Chuuya knows that he rather wastes his loan on car parts instead of groceries so why should he invest in girls?
That just doesn't sound very plausible.
"You seem so intrigued by that matter.
I was gonna share the prize with you anyway but if you wanna give me a kiss when I win the race, you can still do that."
Albatross suddenly blurted.
It's obviously meant to be mockery so Chuuya doesn't dwell on it for much longer.
Especially since he highly doubts Albatross is going to win anyway.
Therefore, all he said was:
"Sure, will do."
Yet while Chuuya was nonchalant about it, Albatross was actually the one baffled by that statement.
He actually stopped in his tracks and furrowed his brows in confusion for a moment.
Chuuya is… actually going to kiss him?
He opened his mouth as if he's going to say something.
But in the end, he quickly closed it again and his everlasting smile reappeared.
"Looking forward to it, then!"
He said enthusiastically.
Chuuya was kinda weirded out by the other's behavior.
But honestly, when isn't he weirded out by it?
Albatross is a strange fella after all.
Therefore, he didn't dwell on it for much longer and they went on with everything.
They get registered and place their bets, Albatross bets on himself, of course, meanwhile Chuuya doesn't bet on anyone at all.
He didn't bring any money to bet.
Hell, he didn't intend to leave the house at all!
Albatross just dragged him outside.
He's lucky he has proper clothes on and wasn't in his pyjamas or something like that.
Although, he did wish he wore those right now.
He wished he was at home right now.
Usually he'd work around this time but right now he truly only wants to sleep.
Albatross is so exhausting to deal with, Chuuya truly can't take it anymore.
And yet here he is, at some illegal car race, waiting for Albatross to race through the finish line already.
The race started a while ago and the moderators say they should be back soon.
Albatross sure hopes so, he doesn't want to hog around here for much longer.
The people here are completely on edge.
You could cut the tension with a knife.
Chuuya figured that quite a few people have bet their life savings away.
Heh.
Chuuya wonders if some of them will get lucky.
Whoever it was, it definitely wasn't Chuuya.
Because despite what he was convinced off, Albatross was actually the first one to make it through the finish line.
He-
He actually won?!
Oh no…
Chuuya really didn't think he would!
Chuuya thought that Albatross was far too optimistic to win.
Like when he said he'd win at billiards then still lost every time thus far.
Or when he said he's good at arcade games and then Chuuya still got higher scores than him!
Albatross always loses every game, somehow!
So why oh why did he have to win this one?!
Usually, Chuuya would probably be happy for him but definitely not after what he promised him!
Oh god, he's panicking and overthinking the whole thing.
So much so, Chuuya didn't realize how much time had passed until he suddenly heard Albatross' voice call out for him:
"Chuuya!
I got the money!
Why didn't you meet me at the finish line?"
That's what they said they'd do, right?
Did something come up?
Albatross was rather confused and maybe even a tad bit worried.
Especially once he saw Chuuya flinch when he spoke to him.
Honestly, he was about to ask if the other was alright when he suddenly noticed the other's blush on his cheeks.
Why is he blushing?
Oh!
Could it be…
"Someone's nervous?"
Albatross asked rather smugly, his lip curling into a smirk as he looks at Chuuya's eyes which widen even more in panic.
Oh yes, he's most definitely nervous.
Yet Chuuya won't actively admit that.
"I just-
I-
Uh…."
Chuuya doesn't know how to talk himself out of this without sounding like a coward or like he was underestimating Albatross.
There really isn't anything he could say now…
He shouldn't have agreed to that stupid bet in the first place!
What was he thinking?!
Of course Albatross had a decent chance to win!
He's the best in his forte after all!
God, he was being so foolish and stupid…
Yet Albatross just patted him on the head with a chuckle before saying:
"No worries.
We don't have to do it here.
Let's get away from these sore losers first."
Well, that doesn't solve the entire situation but Chuuya definitely feels better about not having to do it in front of everyone.
And well, maybe Albatross will forget about it on the car ride home.
Chuuya is just going to keep quiet about it the whole time and silently listen and nod along to Albatross car rants on the way home.
Honestly, Chuuya almost thought he got away with the whole thing when they stood in front of his apartment door.
He just has to unlock it, step inside and it's all over!
Or at least that's what he hoped would happen but unfortunately he suddenly felt an arm snake around his waist.
Chuuya immediately flinched and blushed all over again as he turned towards Albatross who was far too close for his liking now.
"So, I'm guessing this is your first kiss?"
Albatross asked with a smug grin.
And Chuuya didn't even need to answer that question since his face heating up even more than before should definitely do the job.
Additionally, as if that wasn't enough already, Chuuya avoided looking at Albatross and directed his gaze towards the side instead.
"I mean…"
Yeah, yeah he has never kissed someone before.
It's a simple answer.
It should be a simple answer.
Usually he'd have no issue admitting something like this bluntly.
But somehow, given his current situation, Chuuya finds himself too embarrassed to say that.
That is in and of itself pretty embarrassing, honestly.
Yet Albatross just chuckled once more and said:
"Knew it!
But you needn't worry.
I'm a good kisser.
It'll feel good.
Just let it happen and see what it's like."
With his free hand, Albatross lightly grabbed Chuuya's chin and turned his head back towards him before pulling the other closer.
Chuuya feels so embarrassed, he couldn't help but close his eyes.
He really didn't want to see what's going on!
And he'd definitely tense up once he feels Albatross' lips meet his own.
But admittedly… It really isn't as bad as he thought.
Albatross' lips are surprisingly soft and he's not kissing like his overeager self either.
It really is quite nice… especially since Albatross shuts his mouth for once which is pretty rare in and of itself.
Now that the initial shock wore off, Chuuya finds himself melting into the kiss.
And out of curiosity, Chuuya actively kisses back, just to see what it's like.
It's his first kiss so… he should try to gain some experience from it, right?
Albatross' thumb caressing the side of his chin definitely tells Chuuya that he isn't doing too bad of a job.
Heh.
Maybe he's a natural at kissing or something.
However, the kiss didn't last for much longer since Chuuya suddenly felt Albatross tongue try to slide into his mouth and he quickly pushed the other away before clearing his throat and stating:
"I think this will be enough!"
Chuuya averted his eyes once more as he scratched his neck nervously.
Yet Albatross just chuckled and gave Chuuya a knowing smile.
"Dunno, you seemed quite content with the kiss so I thought you'd like to go further."
Huh?
Well… Chuuya definitely didn't hate the kiss…
he'd actually spare Albatross a glance as he thinks about the other's words.
Perhaps, he did enjoy the original kiss.
But…
"Not sure if I'd like having a tongue shoved down my throat."
That just sounds disgusting, honestly.
Chuuya really doesn't think he'd like that.
Hence, he pushed Albatross away.
Yet the other just shrugged.
"That would've been your opportunity to figure it out.
But if you ever feel like wanting to try it out another day, you can just tell me."
The other said with a wink which was Chuuya's cue to blush and look away again.
"Whatever.
I'm going inside and going to sleep so you best stay quiet!"
Chuuya decided to threaten the other as if that has ever helped.
Albatross just waved it off and said:
"Sure, sure.
I'll try!
Then nighty night, smoocher!"
"Please don't call me that."
Chuuya requested as exasperated as he unlocked the door to his apartment and stepped inside.
He didn't close the door on Albatross immediately, though.
He turned around in order to say:
"Night to you too, Albatross."
Chuuya waited a moment to see if Albatross had anything else to say before he closed that door.
And luckily he did since Albatross did have one more thing to say:
"Oh, by the way!
Don't ask Pianoman about any of this because I just made that up to spend time with you.
Night!"
Before Chuuya could say anything, Albatross was the one who got ahold of the door and pulled it shut.
He just-
He-
God, Chuuya just can't deal with him…
He really does have the absolute worst neighbor.