Work Text:
Chuuya felt terrible, to say the least.
He woke up that morning feeling exhausted and dizzy. Soon followed the nausea, but he didn't throw up at all. Then the harsh coughing and the pulsing throb in his temples. Together with the screeching and cursing of Arahbaki
He didn't even have the energy to move, let alone call the boss and let him know of his predicament.
Right now he laid uncomfortably still in his large and soft bed, hazy blue eyes lazily staring at the ceiling. Everything touching him felt way too hot and heavy. His penthouse was silent, eerily so.
Thus, it's a real wonder how he didn't notice his front door being opened or the shuffling of someone taking off their shoes and coat after locking the door with a soft click. Or how he didn't hear muffled footsteps nearing. But he did notice, to the demise of his sensitive eyes, someone opening the door to his bedroom, light filtering into the previously dark room.(Chuuya can't sleep without utter darkness)
The azure eyed teen squeezed his eyes shut with a groan and a silent ' goddamnit ' as he weakly pulled his comforter to cover his face. After a couple of long strides that someone was now standing next to Chuuya's bedside and was staring down on him. The redhead felt the bed dip under the weight of someone sitting on it, then the protection of his covers was taken away with surprising ease. He kept his eyes shut, not wanting to see who was seeing him in such a weak state.
(If Chuuya was more aware, he would've realized who it was)
It was embarrassing: Nakahara Chuuya, best martial artist of the port mafia and one of its strongest ability users, weak and miserable just because of a cold. The redhead internally growled at the thought.
" My, " Chuuya tensed as he recognized the annoying voice of his idiotic partner, Dazai Osamu " Chibi really is sick! " The mackerel continued in an amused tone, if the auburn-haired boy had the energy he would've jumped at the idiot's throat. Instead, he opted for quietly groaning:
" Why on earth are you here mackerel? " Dazai chuckled at that, it wasn't real. It was an empty, dark, rumbling from deep in his chest. " Even sick, you're just as much of a dog, Chibi. I'm here because boss wanted me to check if you were still alive—since you haven't shown up at work this morning. Seems like I'll have to inform him that you're, in fact, still alive! Such a pity~ " Dazai's voice, despite his cheery and annoying tone, was quiet and somewhat soothing.
'What am I thinking?! ' Chuuya internally punched himself.
Suddenly the constant turmoil of the god inside his body was silent, after so long of screeching, it was quiet. That's what he noticed first, then he noticed a cool hand on his forehead. It was a gentle gesture, maybe even weirdly gentle, considering who was doing it. Still, he couldn't help but lean into it and melt from the sudden comfort of not having a god of calamity raging inside of you. Chuuya let out a content sigh, tired azure eyes fluttering open just enough to gaze up at one warm, yet empty, reddish-brown one. The owner of the latter sighed, his hand unmoving.
" Sleep Chuuya, you need it. " It was a caring statement masked believably as an order followed by an explanation. Chuuya was more than happy to oblige, too tired to question what the brunet was doing.
And so he fell asleep at the feeling of nimble fingers pushing his bright locks out of his face and being tucked in gently.
And now, Dazai found himself waiting for when the chibi was soundly asleep to slip out of the room to inform the boss.
Once he was sure Chuuya wouldn't wake up if he left, he stood up from where he was sitting on the bed and left the room, softly closing the door behind him. He walked into the kitchen, taking out his phone and dialing Mori's number.
After two rings, said man picked up the phone.
" Hello Dazai-kun, I assume you're calling me to report on Chuuya-kun's condition? " Dazai hummed in response before speaking with a calm tone " He's sick, common cold but it appears that the fever may get worse. He's asleep right now. " The man on the other side hummed as if he was thinking " Alright, I'll drop by in ten minutes to give you the medicine you need to give him and check him myself. For now just make sure to keep the fever at bay by using a damp cloth and cold water. "
Dazai hummed in answer before Mori hung up. He then began getting the cold water and cloth ready.
When the redhead did wake up again, it was to the feeling of someone carefully brushing a cold cloth on his feverish face. ' Ane-san..? ' he thought as he opened an eye to look up at who it was. Instead of being met with Kouyou he was met with Dazai, who sat on a chair next to Chuuya's side the bed. The latter had gotten rid of his tie and suit jacket and was now only wearing his usual white shirt(with the sleeves rolled up), his black trousers and, of course, the pesky bandages.
Chuuya's vision must be playing a prank on him because the brunet's usually blank expression was now morphed into one of barely hidden worry. It must be that, or this is a dream; especially with next words spoken by the bandaged teen. " Finally awake, I see. How do you feel? " The redhead shot him a confused look, well, as confused as he could muster with the discomfort he was in. " Wha..? " He slurred out.
That seemed to get the bandaged boy's mind to catch up with his expression as it returned to sport his signature annoying smirk. " Now chibi, " the boy spoke, placing the cold cloth on the auburn-haired boy's forehead gingerly, completely contradicting his annoyed-sounding tone. " are you really that out of it? "
The gravity manipulator groaned, everything was so hot despite his shivering. And his head and ears felt like they were stuffed with cotton, every sound muffled. Luckily the god that used his body as its vessel was quiet.
" I take that as a yes. " sighed Dazai as he fluffed up Chuuya's pillows, as he did so Chuuya was held close to his chest with the other arm, to then be eased into them carefully. " Why.. why are— " he was cut off by a violent coughing fit, causing him to jerk foward, he felt an hand rub his back in a comforting motion.
" If you were going to ask why I'm here, " Dazai started, easing Chuuya back into the pillows once more when the fit subdued and helping him take small sips of water from a glass.
" it's because boss gave me the task to nurse you back to health. I'm pretty sure you aren't even gonna remember this so it's whatever. " Dazai shrugged on his last sentence before brushing the azure eyed boy's bright colored hair out of his face, gingerly resting the back of the same hand on his forehead to feel his temperature.
" Seems your fever hasn't worsened for now... " The brunette sighed in what would be described as relief by the boss. ' What is he on...? ' thought Chuuya, that was still fairly confused by the idiot's sudden gentleness.
" I'm gonna make you something to eat, try to take some more rest in the meantime. " Chuuya did feel exhausted, so he didn't complain about Dazai cooking or telling him to sleep.
When he was awoken next it was with Dazai slightly shaking his shoulder. " Chibi~ " Chuuya cracked an eye open to gaze up at the half-bandaged face above him. His vision was blurry so he couldn't really make out the features, especially with the room spinning so violently.
Dazai lifted him up to lean on his chest while he rearranged the pillows. Chuuya strangely felt safe there, leaning against the taller's teen chest. He involuntarily held onto the fabric of the brunette's shirt as he nuzzled up to him. " My~ Chuuya is just like a kitten~ " Dazai cooed as he lifted an hand to rest it on the back of the auburn-haired teen's head. When Dazai spoke again the playful and annoying tone was replaced by a gentler and softer one, " I've made you some oyaku, is that alright? " even Dazai himself was surprised by how soft his voice came out, but he can't help but feel sympathetic seeing Chuuya like that.
Chuuya answered with a slight nod as he got eased up against the pillows in a sitting position. Luckily he didn't feel nauseous anymore, so he was able to eat some of the oyaku prepared by the brunette.
When he couldn't manage anymore, Dazai helped him take his medicine and drink. His hands weren't able to hold onto the glass with how much they were shaking. (when did they start shaking?)
He slid back down to lay fully. He turned on his side, facing the bandaged teen next to his bedside. " Sleep Chuuya. " Murmured the latter while his hand moved the stray locks from Chuuya's face, to then start carding his fingers through said locks and occasionally scratching the owner's scalp gently. Chuuya sighed contently, his muscles relaxing visibly.
He was about to fall asleep when he heard Dazai mutter softly " Sleep well Chibi, try not to make me get a heart attack next time you get sick~ " But Chuuya was too tired to decipher what the other could've ment. And like that, he was dead to the world, fast asleep.
It was now around two in the morning, Dazai is the further he could be from even tired(as often, might I add). And thus, he had figured that borrowing a book from Chuuya's bookshelf wouldn't hurt anyone.
There was a heavy silence, but it wasn't overwhelming for Dazai. It was comfortable for him.
Chuuya had been sleeping peacefully, his breathing steady and expression serene. That was untill he started trashing around, expression scrunched into one of deep discomfort. Tears building up in his closed shut eyes.
The bandaged teen put the book he had been holding in his lap on the bedside table before going to sit on the bed next to the redhead. Very soon Chuuya was awake, tears spilling violently from his glassed-over eyes as he struggled to breathe. The next thing he did was sit up and bury himself in Dazai's chest, his hands finding their place tangled with the fabric of the brunette's shirt.
Dazai was a bit stunned at first, the sudden contact making a light blush creep up his cheeks, but soon sighed and wrapped his arms around the smaller's body protectively. He moved Chuuya to sit on his lap as he moved up against the pillows, using them to prop himself in a position in which the sobbing redhead would be comfortable and safe.
Said redhead was now letting out heart-wretching sobs as he pressed himself into Dazai's chest more, his hands not even for a second releasing their grip as if afraid that if he let go Dazai would disappear.
" Chibi, " The brunette called softly as he began rubbing soothing circles in between Chuuya's shoulder blades with one large hand, with the other resting on the small of his back.
" Chuuya, hey.. " he tried again when the redhead didn't give any signs of hearing him, the hand he had occupied with rubbing circles on the shorter teen's back moved to cradle the back of said teen's head. He coaxed Chuuya to turn his head so his ear would be on Dazai's heart.
" Can you hear me? " A nod, Dazai let out a small relieved sigh before speaking again " Alright, can you try to breathe with me? " Another nod. At that, Dazai began accentuating his breathing patter for Chuuya to follow and imitate. Chuuya couldn't do it at all at first, only choking on his own sobs, but soon he began with shaky inhales and exhales, and then began steading. " Good, you're doing great. Continue to breathe with me. " Dazai encouraged before beginning to brush the redhead's hair out of his tear-stained face.
After a while Chuuya finally was breathing normally, still a bit shaken and scared, but not in the midst of a panic attack. " There we go. Do you wanna talk about it? " The bandaged boy asked gently, his voice low. Chuuya didn't answer, instead he buried his face in Dazai's chest once more.
" Hey, look at me. " Coaxed Dazai as he lifted the other's chin. Glossy azure stared into warm and caring reddish-brown, a small reassuring smile forming on Dazai's lips. " We don't need to talk about it now, but when you're ready, I'll be there for you. And not only with this, but for everything you may need. Alright? " Chuuya nodded slowly before going back to listen to Dazai's heartbeat.
Dazai smiled again, closing his eyes as he began to gently untangle Chuuya's sleep-tangled hair. The latter sighed contently and he closed his eyes, his shoulders slumping as an incredible exhaustedness washed over him all together.
By now Dazai was convinced Chuuya was asleep once more, so he tried to move them so he could get the redhead to lay down and he could get up to stretch himself. But that was not the case as panicked blue looked into warm brown as the owner of the first clinged tighter to the latter's.
" Don't leave.... please... " Chuuya's voice was just above a whisper, strained from sobbing. Dazai's heart clenched painfully at that(if you were to ask him, he would deny it).
The taller of two sighed as he laid both of them down, Chuuya tucked securily in his chest. " I'm not leaving. I was just laying us down. Try to sleep now Chuuya, it's too late for chibi to be awake, otherwise he won't grow.~ " Dazai said cheerily as he pushed Chuuya's head in his chest, going back to his task of untangling the other's hair. " Same goes for you... " Came the sleepy reply of the redhead, but other than that he didn't complain further.
Dazai sighed in relief once he heard Chuuya's breathing evening out, sign of a(hopefully) peaceful slumber.
The next morning Chuuya woke up without feeling weak or exhausted, he still had a slight headache but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. That's when he noticed that he was safely tucked in a warm and solid chest, his head resting under the person's chin. After, he felt the ticklish sensation of bandages brushing on his skin.
At that, he leaned back a little, eyeing up to be met with the peaceful sleeping face of his work partner, Dazai Osamu.
' The fuck is the damned mackerel doing here?! ' Chuuya dumbfoundedly stared at Dazai's surprisingly peaceful expression.
" Mn~ Seems chibi's already awake~ " Dazai spoke with a voice deep from sleep. " Why the fuck are you here and why were we... cuddling? " Chuuya asked suspiciously, he hated this. He hated how Dazai being this close made his heart skip a beat, or how Dazai's deep voice made shivers run down his spine. Yet, a slight blush creeped up his cheeks.
" Huh? Does chibi not remember? " Dazai asked with feinged ignorance, eyes wide with fake innocence. Chuuya groaned " Remember what shitty Dazai? " He said as he pushed himself up in a sitting position, although now Dazai's arm was lazily draped around his hips. Chuuya's heart fluttered, the blush on his cheeks deepened.
" Oh Chibi, Chibi, " Dazai sighed dramatically as he shook him head while he too sat up, brown locks swaying in the motion. His arm now slowly moving away from its previous position around Chuuya's hips, his hand resting on Chuuya's left hip a millisecond more than what it should've " Remember that I took care of you yesterday, what else? " He continued with his cheery tone as he smirked.
Chuuya's brow furrowed, he tried to remember yesterday's events. It was a tiring task for his aching head, but he was able to make bits and pieces of Dazai being kind and caring. He turned his head to stare directly at Dazai's face and was met with a small nod and an even smaller, warm, smile. Whatever accusation of "that's nonsense" that Chuuya would've wanted to splutter out died in his throat as his heart skipped another beat at the sight.
He was even more surprised to feel a cool hand gingerly cradling his own, coaxing him to release the death grip he had on the comforter. Chuuya did, only to bring both of them up to cover his face, he was now blushing up to the his earlobes in a bright pink.
Dazai chuckled, he chuckled for real. Chuuya peeked at him from behind his hands, Dazai's expression was warm. It was.. comforting. Chuuya found himself lowering his hands so he could see that expression better, so that he could savor it as long as he could. " My~ " Dazai cooed " Chibi really likes to stare today~ " Chuuya blushed even deeper now, if that was even possible.
Both of them stared at each other's faces, embarrassed blue locked with amused brown. Dazai hummed after a bit, breaking the heavy silence and Chuuya's medsy train of thought. " Would Chibi like a bath? " He asked as he slid off the bed, stretching once he was upright. Chuuya nodded slightly, beginning to move so to stand up.
Dazai helped him move to the bathroom, as he was still a little weak, and then prepared the bath as Chuuya undressed. They've seen each other without clothing before, but why was he getting embarrassed with being bare in front of Dazai now?(he knows, but he is not willing to give the reason a name or really acknowledge it)
" Alright, get in Chibi, I'll help you wash your hair and back. " Dazai said while approaching Chuuya and leading him to the large bathtub.
Everything else was deafened for Chuuya, the only sounds he could hear was his fast heartbeat and Dazai's movements. Then he felt fingers brushing his hair while coating it in shampoo.
Chuuya had almost fallen asleep while Dazai washed him, and was only brought back by the brunette shaking his shoulder gently. " Chibi~ C'mon " Chuuya was lifted out of the tub and toweled dry, his hair dried with the hairdryer. Then gentle fingers were braiding his hair gingerly. He felt safe, he felt able to be vulnerable after so long of keeping his walls up because of the life in the Port Mafia.
" Chuuya, do you feel like eating? " Chuuya shook his head, too drowsy to do much else other than sleeping.
Dazai sighed " Alright, " he said while putting a comfortable set of house wear on the other. " Wanna go back to bed? " The ginger teen nodded, he could barely keep upright by now. " Ok then, let's go. "
Dazai took Chuuya back to the bedroom and eased him back into the mattress, tucking him in gently " Sleep Chuuya, aren't you tired? " He said as he brushed the other teen's bangs away from his eyes. Chuuya nodded, before turning on his side and hugging Dazai's nearest leg " Thank you. "
" You're welcome chibi, sleep now. I will be here once you wake up. " It was a promise, Chuuya felt safe knowing Dazai would be just there.
Everything was dark, Chuuya couldn't see anything nor understand where he was.
A maniacal and scratching laugh pierced through his ears.
" Come now, Chuuya, do you really believe him? You know he'll leave you. Just. Like. Everyone. " Snarled the mocking voice somewhere in that void. " What the hell do you mean?! " The ginger growled. " Oh Chuuya, you're so naive.. You know what I mean, you know that everyone you'll ever be close to will leave you. " The god continued " No, no no no nO NO! " Chuuya began repeating like a mantra as the taunting continued, scalding tears running down his cheeks.
Suddenly everything went silent. He slowly began hearing a familiar voice call out to him. The owner of the voice pried his hands away from where they had been pulling on his tangled hair, then he felt a gentle touch lead him to lean against a warm and welcoming chest.
Then slim arms embraced him, at that, Chuuya felt like he could breathe again, his lungs burning at the sudden intake of oxygen.
" Chuuya, hey, are you there? " Said the familiar voice, Chuuya finally understood who it was. It was Dazai.
He firmly held onto the brunette, sobbing into his chest. " Oh Chuu.. " Dazai sighed as he held the redhead closer, murmuring sweet things onto the crown of his head where he rested his lips. Rocking them in a calming rhythm
That's when he heard Chuuya mumble something, not really understandable with how low his voice was. " Can you repeat that Chuuya? I didn't hear you. " He asked quietly, not wanting to scare the already frightened redhead. " Don't— leave me... please... I'll— be good I pro—mise " Chuuya choked out between broken sobs, his hands clutching thightly at Dazai's shirt untill his knuckles turned white.
" Chuu, I told you already, didn't I? I'm not leaving you. " Reassured the brunette as he sighed, his hand going to cup the redhead's cheek tenderly as he wiped away the tears with his thumb. " Now breathe with me, can you do that? " A nod, and so Dazai began again with the process of calming the redhead down.
They had moved to the couch, Dazai had prepared some noodles for them to eat while watching a movie and they were now lazing around in comfortable silence, Chuuya laying his head on the brunette's chest.
" Hey Chuuya, " Dazai broke the silence Chuuya looked up at him and hummed in question " can I tell you something? " The ginger teen nodded, Dazai sighed as his expression morphed into a sincere loving smile.
" I love you "
Chuuya blinked at him in surprise, and once his brain had processed everything, a deep blush colored his face and ears. He pressed his face into Dazai's chest, feeling the vibrations of the latter's chuckle.
His chin was lifted gingerly before his lips were captured in a love-filled kiss. Chuuya melted into it, his arms wrapping around Dazai's neck as they sat up, he ended up sitting in Dazai's lap.
Chuuya sighed and huffed out a laugh as they pulled away, " Love you too. "
And that is how they passed the rest of the day, embraced by each other savoring the new found information that is their mutual love.