Chapter Text
Being a bodyguard isn’t out of the ordinary for Chuuya. He was, after all, an executive for the Port Mafia whilst also being both a strong ability user and the best martial artist they had, so if you needed something protected at all costs, he was your man.
So when he got called to the Port Mafia’s main building to guard the Boss whilst he took an excited Miss Elise to the Aquarium, he tried not to overthink it.
Apparently, the Boss wanted to do some field research and observe the enemies in the area he was planning on opening an aquarium-themed bar, and whilst usually this would be allocated to someone else, Miss Elise had made it known she wanted to see the fishes, so that was that.
Despite all this, the boss had assured him it was just a nice relaxing outing and whilst he would be his bodyguard, he should still enjoy himself.
Yeah, right.
He wasn’t a schemer like Boss, and he might be gun-ho, but he wasn’t stupid. He’d got himself and his men out of a lot of tight scrapes, and he’d never have made executive if he couldn't plan his missions and foresee problems.
So there was no way he was gonna believe that this was ‘just a nice day out’, but it hardly mattered, an order was an order, and the boss's reason for the order wasn't important. He was just here to do as he was told.
===
The aquarium didn't stand out as they lined up for tickets; Chuuya stayed back and waited till there were a few people between himself and the boss before joining the queue. He would need to position himself so he could guard them from one step away without drawing suspicion, so he couldn't get too close to them.
Once inside the building, he catalogued all the exits and entrances along with the movements of staff and visitors alike, making sure to play it off as wonder at all the exhibits as he trailed the Boss.
The building was separated into sections; all manner of fish were swimming around in different tanks. He watched as Miss Elise joyfully went around all the tanks, pointing out the most colourful or biggest fish and asking about them with childlike curiosity. It seemed like they were just enjoying the aquarium. Maybe observing the enemy and looking at all the colourful fishes was all they came here to do after all. Still, best to keep his guard up.
Casually following behind whilst pretending to look at the fish, he notices a man looking at him as he came in. The man didn’t exactly look suspicious, so it could be nothing. Still. He turned his attention to what the man was carrying. It looked to be what was probably fish food, along with some equipment for adjusting water tanks. There was also something else at the bottom of the pile, it was hard to tell from the distance and dark corridors, but could that be..?
Another man comes out from behind the first, holding a box. He’d cleverly piled hidden it by piling things on top of it, but he could tell whatever was in the box was dangerous. It was a bold move, but even he struggled to see what he was carrying at first due to the dark nature of the aquarium, and people would hardly expect you to be carrying something like that around in broad daylight with all these customers around. He supposed that was the logic they were banking on.
If the aquarium was working with these guys, it could be a major problem. One they couldn't let go unchecked. It would probably be a bad idea to make a move right now. Still, on the other hand, if these guys were bold enough to smuggle stuff in broad daylight, then not acting could cause more of a problem in the future. Especially considering his hunch that the aquarium was harbouring some really dangerous ‘fish’. Surely a little investigation wouldn’t hurt? He’s already arranged for Akutagawa and co. to guard the other routes; they should be able to handle any problems that come their way.
Mind made up, he looks around the room once more. There, that door. It’s a highly illogical place for a tank to be maintained, plus it would be far small for people to go in and out. Breaking from the crowd of customers, he moves closer. He spots a barrier just off to the left, slightly out of sight and down a corridor without any lights. Well, this looks promising.
He waits for a gap in the flow of visitors before slipping down a blocked-off corridor, jumping the barrier and swiftly moving around a corner.
He’s greeted by the scattered glow of dim light above, coming through the clear glass that surrounds him on all sides. An underwater tunnel, but he couldn't see any fish at all. Even in the dim light, he would have assumed to be able to see at least one in there unless it was empty. That must be why this area is blocked off. On the other side of the tunnel was a dark curtain blocking off another yet section.
Using his gift to lighten his steps, he made his way through the tunnel towards the exit on the opposite side. He was nearly at the curtain when a shadow on the periphery of his vision caught his attention; instinctively, he turned his head towards it, but all he saw was the dark and gloomy waters above him.
He waits a moment, but when no other movement follows, he decides to move on, brushing off the feeling that he’s being watched. Probably just some sort of fish, right? Some mackerel or whatever.
Pushing past the black curtain, he stumbles into a wide-open room. Low shallow steps all along the back of the room, gradually tapering off to ground level, are lightly illuminated in a kaleidoscopic mix of blues cast by the giant glass wall to his right. Tilting his head up in awe at its magnitude, he looks into its dark depths, trying to make out just how big the dark is. With how dark it is, it’s hard to gauge.
Moving further in, he takes in his surroundings. It seems like this room is more of a big Observatoire for marine life on a larger scale than the ones he’s seen in the main area or for big schools of fish to be put in together to create a more ocean-like atmosphere, but he could see nothing in the dark, murky waters. The vast depth seemed to go on forever, yet he couldn't help but tense as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. It's probably just his imagination, right? There was no movement in the tank that he could make out. But man, it sure is a big water tank. Reluctantly turning his back on the tank, he surveyed the room, noting the exits before swiftly moving to the other side, where there was another dark curtain blocking an exit.
Getting closer to the curtain, he hears voices talking from the other side. They must be in the equipment storage room just off to the side of the corridor beyond. Or at least they should be according to the map he’d caught a glimpse of when entering. Beyond that room, there was another water tunnel before it looped back around to the small fish tanks by the gift shop at the exit. Siding up against the black curtains, he strains to make out what the voices are saying.
“I know it’s stupid, but I always feel like there are eyes on me when I'm transporting all these goods, even if they have no way of knowing.”
“Don’t be so paranoid; they wouldn't know what we were doing even if you dropped the box right in front of them! People are stupid like that,” a huffed laugh follows.
“Now that guy I saw earlier, he might actually be trouble”, the second guy continues, the sound of boxes being stacked on top of one another, pausing their chat as they drop off their contraband before continuing.
“Hey, when do you think that guy’s gonna come get that stupid fish? All it does is swim in circles, and last week it nearly took off Takuya-sans hand!” the first man exclaims ‘And now he refuses to feed the damn thing, so it falls to me. Listen, if that thing even comes near me, it’s not getting anything. It can starve to death for all I care. It’s what it deserves, after all.”
“Don’t be like that. If it dies, none of us gets paid, and it was a bitch to catch. Took out five people before we got the thing!”
“Put it this way”, he continues, voice taking on a sadistic edge. “Word is that the buyer wants it so he can find a cure for death!” The glee in the other's voice is disconcerting as he shares his vision with the other.
“You know what that means. They're probably gonna shove him in a tiny test tube tank and run experiments on him all day, every day. Personally, I hope they dissect it till there’s nothing left of it” the words are practically spat out of his mouth “Bastard nearly drowned my brother; I’d have killed it myself if I didn’t know a fate worse than death was in store for it,” it’s followed by a dark chuckle.
Chuuya backs away from the exit, an uneasiness settling over him. The way they’d talked about their ‘capture’ caused his stomach to sink as he subconsciously took a deep breath.
His back bumps into the glass wall, his hand reaching out behind him to rest on its surface, the feeling oddly comforting as he tries to overcome the tight feeling that seems to be attempting to suffocate him.
He’s never had a reaction like this before, and he’s in the mafia. Threats of violence and gory scenes are his life. He breathes it, but this? This slipped past every hardened wall he’d created like it was never there in the first place.
Nevertheless, he couldn't let it get in the way. Right now, he needed to get over it and do his job; he’d have time to dwell on it later.
Pushing all the sickly feelings down as far as he could, he gives a sharp shake of his head, taking his hand off the glass and moving a few steps away so he’s not supporting himself on it.
That's when he finally registers that feeling of eyes on the back of his head again. Still high-strung, he whips around, ready to take out any potential threat. His eyes lock with another pair.
Chuuya sucks in a sharp breath, eyes widening as he takes in what is in front of him.
There, in the tank, staring right at him, is a man. His dark brown hair softly floated in the water, the way it spread out catching the light at just the right angle to frame the delicate features of his face. Nothing too unusual other than how pretty he was so far, but from his neck down, that changed. Along his neck were small white dapples, leading just down to his shoulders and round the back of his torso down to his..tail?
From there, the only ‘human’ part of him was his upper torso. Where there should have been legs, there was a smooth ultramarine body that trailed into an orchid purple tail, with the very tips a beautiful fuchsia. The darker blue on his back compared to his underbelly making the dapples stand out even more.
But most striking was the creature's eyes. A raw umber so sharp it pierced right through his very soul; the intensity was enough to make him short of breath. Staring into his eyes, he definitely noticed more than a glint of tempestuous violence being promised by his gaze, but there was also a hesitant inquisitiveness. Despite the threat, he still couldn't help but be drawn in, the creature was beauty incarnated, and there was something about him that drew him in.
Approaching the glass slowly, he watched as the creature's tail elegantly twisted to support his movement, easily allowing him to adjust his angle and match Chuuyas movements, inching slowly closer to himself, gaze locked onto Chuuya.
Being this close allows Chuuya to get an even better view of the creature, and it’s clear as day how ethereal he is. He was elegant in his movements and had a body that seemed to glow. A beautiful mix of colours that made him stand out in the unknowing darkness of the tank.
He’d never seen anyone so bewitchingly alluring in his life. It made him rethink all those sailors being lured to a watery death, while before he could have labelled them stupid, but now, he almost thought they had the right idea. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to resist if he met this beautiful creature on the open sea. A dangerous thought for sure.
He’s broken out of his trance by a flick of a powerful tail, bringing said majestic creature closer and down to his level on the floor. He watches as he moves through the water until he’s right up against the glass before a hesitant arm raises, extending towards it until it’s pressed against it, palm spread out.
Locking his eyes back on his face, he was bringing up his own hand without even consciously thinking about it. He saw a swirl of emotion in those eyes, one he didn’t recognise but felt mirrored in his own as their hands aligned on the glass. He’d never felt this connected to someone despite the thick barrier between them. It was strange. He’d always struggled to find connections, but right here, it seemed to come naturally, even if it was with a mermaid.
…
Mermaid?
..
Merman?
..
This has to be some kind of joke, right?
What has his life become?
“What the fuck! What are you doing in here!”
Whipping his head around, he curses under his breath upon seeing the guy he first clocked as possibly being one of the shady staff members. Not good; maybe he could play clueless civilian?
Another man rushes through the curtain, clocking Chuuya. He pulls a face.
“Did he see it?” he asks his colleague. Chuuya glances back at the tank, but the mermaid is gone.
“Thing was right up against the tan. No way he didn’t see it”
A horrid imitation of a grin crossed the newest arrival's face as he took on a defensive stance.
“Then he can't leave alive, fucker’ blab, and Boss wants this kept secret”
Just perfect
There goes that plan.
Then again, he’d rather do this the ‘hard way’ anyway. Nothing beats the thrill of a fight; even if he knew it was gonna be an easy win, it would still be fun bringing them down a few pegs till they’re begging for mercy. He smirks.
Placing a hand on his hat, he dodges the incoming attack of the second man. An icicle smashed into the floor where he had stood moments ago. He smirked. This is turning out to be a blast.
Moving towards the man who shot at him, Chuuya dodges another incoming icicle and levels a hard kick on the man's torso, propelling him backwards into the wall. An ugly snapping sound follows. He doesn't get up.
How disappointing.
His victory isn’t long-lived though as the silence that followed is interrupted by a large cracking sound. He turns to see the ice cube blast he’d dodged had slammed right into the centre of the tank, a crack quickly expanding out from the impact point with a foreboding sharp trailing sound around the cracks forming.
Ah.
Shit.
Water blasted out of the tank, the pressure easily taking the rest of the glass with it, the water quickly flooding the room in a tidal wave. Chuuya barely had time to react before the water bashed into him, sweeping him off his feet with such force he barely registered the body bashing into him.
Swept along with the waves, he’s bashed up against the walls before being unceremoniously dumped on the ground at the back of the room.
Well, that sucked.
Getting to his feet, he tried to ring out his now-soaked t-shirt. It hardly made a difference. Looking around he found neither guy in sight, whether that was because they had escaped in the chaos or had been swept along like he had he didn’t know. It didn’t matter, he had other things to deal with.
Existing through the other tunnel into the gift show, he saw lots of confused and shocked customers. Some had soaked shoes but the majority seemed to have escaped the water.
He follows the stream of people leaving, weaving between them till he’s out in the open. He only has to look around for a second before he spots them.
Jogging over with a squelching sound drew a lot of attention but he ignored it as he met up with the Boss. They seemed unharmed and completely dry, probably thanks to Akutagawa and co. who stood on guard beside him. He gives them a grateful nod.
“ Chuuya! Did you get that funny hat from the gift shop?” comes the little girl's voice as Miss Elise hides a giggle behind her hand.
Frowning, he reaches towards his head. His hands touch something slimy and cold. He pulls it off to find seaweed in his hand.
“I see you found some of the rotting, decaying fish that had infested this area, Chuuya,” the Boss states, before letting out a dramatic sigh.
“I had hoped you could just enjoy a today out at the aquarium but what’s done is done.” He levels his gaze on Chuuya.
“I want a full report in a meeting as soon as we got back,” he pauses, clearly taking in the state of chuuyas clothes. “Maybe get changed on the way over yes, Chuuya?” he finishes with a smile.
“Yes Boss, of course, Boss” He bows, watching as Miss Elise waves goodbye and gets the car after Boss before calling a new car to take himself back to his flat.
===
On his way to the PM headquarters, Chuuya stopped at his apartment. None of the guards stationed outside mentioned anything as the executive's shoes squeaked on the marble floors or as he dripped a water trail all the way to the lift.
Exiting the lift and entering his flat, he quickly stripped out of his soaked clothes and jumped in the shower
Turning the temperature up high, he sighed as the water washed over him. Well, that could have gone better. He blew everyone's cover and, to top it off, flooded the aquarium, causing a massive scene. Well done him. Bravo. Round of a-fucking-pplause. He sighed again, reaching for one of his favourite body washes. Sea salt and samphire. Luckily Boss didn’t seem too upset, so maybe this was all part of some plan. After all, he never did fully work out why Boss wanted to go to the aquarium in the first place. And then there was Him. Him being a honest to god mermaid. When he suspected them of smuggling goods, he didn’t think it would be a fucking mermaid.
Turning the water off, he stepped out. He quickly dried himself before putting on clean clothes, picking his standard work ware rather than anything similar to the undercover ones he had worn earlier.
After checking himself over in the mirror, he made his way back down the lift and out of the building to the car waiting to take him to the PM Headquarters, avoiding the ‘wet floor’ sign on the way.
===
Chuuya heads straight for the top floor when he gets out, nodding to the door guards before announcing his presence and entering the meeting room.
“Ah, Chuuya-Kun, perfect timing.” the Boss says, gesturing to an empty seat opposite him. Sat elegantly next to the Boss is Ane-san, and with both now staring intently at him, he feels like a kid about to be told off by his parents.
“Boss, Ane-san”, he greats, trying not to fidget under their intense stairs.
“Lad, I hear you had a splashing time at the aquarium today,” Kouyou says with amusement, a smirk covered by her fan. He lets out a groan.
“It was an accident I didn’t intend to go that far,” he mumbled, embarrassment clear.
“It's alright, Chuuya-kun,” the Boss dismisses with a wave of his hand. “I trust your actions. I’m sure you realised that the aquarium has most likely been dealing with smuggled goods. The dim lighting in the aquarium is well suited to it, and there are plenty of places to hide contraband until they can be moved elsewhere.”
“Still,” his tone takes on a slightly sharper note. “I had hoped to only ‘ greet’ them today. I had thought it would be rude to annihilate them right away, don’t you think?”
He doesn't answer the obvious rhetorical question, only hanging his head and apologising for his rash decision-making. The Boss barely acknowledged it before continuing.
“Although unfortunate, an accident was due to occur there in the near future. One that would force this aquarium to close. All to ensure the survival of the Port Mafia and to maintain a ‘peaceful’ Yokohama.” he gave Chuuya another sharp smile
“You just jumped the gun a bit, so there’s no damage. You did your job to protect the interests of the Port Mafia and protect the city”
“Thank you, Boss”, he says, even if he doesn't feel like he deserves the praise.
“Oh, one last thing Chuuya-kun,” he adds, a true smirk crossing his face.
“Yes, Boss?” he inquires, wondering what he was about to be thrown his way.
“Since you decided to jump right in, we’ve decided that the aquarium bar and dealing with any of the remaining rotting fish should be down to you,” is said with a joyful lilt.
“That includes covering all the damages, Lad,” is added with a wave of a fan. Chuuya pulls a face.
“You’re just dumping it on me cus you don't wanna deal with all the work, aren't you?” he says with a huff, watching as both their smirks widen.
“But you seemed so eggar to straight in I thought you wanted to have this assignment to youself, no?”
“The mess was was your fault, lad”
He sighs. He should have seen this coming.
Maybe he did deserve this.
===
It’s getting dark when he finally makes it home; closing his door behind him, he steps around the water all over the floor. It’s not until he notices the blood mixed in with it that he stops. He doesn't remember being injured. Now on high alert, he follows the trail to the bathroom. Through the slightly ajar door, he can see a shadow moving about. He braced himself; whoever can slip past security can’t be an amateur. He grinned, but amateur or not; they won't stand a chance against gravity.
Bursting through the door, he headed straight for the intruder. The grin on his face changed to shock as said intruder turned round to reveal a familiar face. Raw umber; a curious glint. The brief hesitation caused him to slip on a wet patch, causing him to crash into the other. Instinct takes over as he flails and grabs what was closest to him. Which just so happens to be the intruder.
They both crash to the floor with a thud.
“Awe, fuck”, he mutters, reaching a hand back to rub his head. He casts his gaze up to see wide eyes staring back at him. It’s then he fully registers the body on top of him, the body that’s completely bare of any clothing.
Turning a cherry red, he adverts his gaze, trying to calm his heart as he gets his voice back.
“Uh, could you get off?”
He takes a much-needed deep breath as he feels the weight shift off him. Relief washing over him as he looks around for a towel whilst keeping his gaze on the floor.
“Here,” he says, towel offered in front of him, but when he gets no reaction, he risks looking over at the mermaid's face. He has a cute frown on his face as he stares at the towel in total confusion.
“Uh, it’s to cover…You put it around your waist,” he instructs, politely turning away again as the mermaid does so.
Once he could safely look around again, he lifted himself up off the floor, grimacing at the mess his bathroom had seemingly become in the few hours he was gone. Turning back to who was undoubtedly the cause of the mess, his attention was caught by red scrapes all over his body; more were across his arms and legs, with one pretty deep gash on his right leg. That one must really hurt, considering he didn’t seem to be putting weight on it, instead leaning on the sink to help him stand. It’s with a sinking feeling that he realises he must have caused these injuries to the beautiful creature before him himself. The deep scratches look like they were caused by glass that must have gone everywhere when he smashed the tank.
Hesitantly, he reaches out and gently runs his hand along a cut on his chest. He receives a hiss, his hand retracting at the threat behind the mermaid's eyes.
Focusing back on the situation, he moves to fetch another towel, placing it on the toilet seat before turning back to his guest.
“Please, sit. I can treat your wounds for you,” he says as he gestures to the toilet seat. He tries to smile reassuringly, but the mermaid hasn’t moved an inch. His intense stare clearly shows how the other is debating his options. Chuuya’s shoulders drop, and he lets out a sigh.
“Look, I'm sorry, okay? I didn’t intend to break the tank or hurt you, but those bastards were making things difficult, and after what they said about you, I may have got a little angry at them. So please sit down so I can help,” He finishes his speech with another gesture to the toilet seat, looking up into his eyes to gauge his reaction. They’d lightened, all the different tones shifting together and drawing you deeper under their waves. But despite his seeming acceptance of his apology, he hadn't moved to take the offered seat. Stubborn bastard.Gritting his teeth, he straightens once more.
“Just take the fucking seat or get out I don’t have all day, you stupid mackerel!” he exclaims with a huff, about ready to stomp out of the room himself before the mermaid jumps into action, moving across the floor slowly and only pausing for a moment before lowering himself onto the towel that’s on the seat. Gaze landing on Chuuya, who was now just staring at him dumbly.
“Right,” he says finally, before heading towards his cupboards to get out a plastic dish and filling it with lukewarm water, mixing in some soap before grabbing a clean cloth on his way back over.
Dipping the cloth in the water, he begins at his shoulders.
“So, do you have a name?” he tries, being as gentle as he can as he cleans his wounds. He half expects no response again, or maybe a screeching sound like in those documentaries of whales communicating. He gets neither.
“Dazai, Dazai Osamu”
It’s a startlingly ordinary name, but it tastes sweet on his tongue when he repeats it back to him.
The rest of the cleaning goes fast. He learns all merfolk can change into human form, but living on land is something that's hard for them due to their nature, plus it’s apparently not as comfortable. He also learns he got here by following him here when he came back to change. When asked why he didn’t just return to the sea, the mermaid just looks shyly away and murmurs about being too hurt. He also asks about the guards and locked the door and got to witness his face shifting into a shit-eating grin whilst he proudly utters a dismissive ‘What like it’s hard?’. Despite his concern over his seemingly lack of competent staff and locks, he couldn't help but laugh when faced with the man's smile.
What it was cute okay? Sue him.
The gash on his leg is harder to clean. It's deeper than the others but doesn’t look like it will need stitches, from what he could tell. He cleans it out as best he can as the merma- Dazai flinches at each touch, a frown on his face that Chuuya stead fast ignores in case he acts on the stupid idea to try and kiss it better.
After all the blood is washed away, he goes back to the cupboard and grabs some bandages, wrapping them all over until he looks like a bandaged mummy. He takes extra care with the deeper cut, placing an extra pad on it before the bandage. It’s as he’s finishing clipping the last bandage in place that he gets something dangled in his face. It’s a small silver chain with a dolphin as the centrepiece. The same one he’d lost in the flood at the aquarium.
“Ah, thanks,” is all he says as he reaches out to take it. He’d honestly forgotten about it up until this point with everything that had happened. He tries not to think about the spark that runs up his hand as their fingers briefly meet.
Standing up, Chuuya turns to head out of the bathroom.
“For now, you can borrow some of my clothes,” he said behind him as heads to his room, picking out some old shorts and a t-shirt that he got that he ordered a size too big and never got around to returning. At least it will get some use, he thought as he turned to head back into the bathroom only to come face to face with Dazai. He stared at him for a moment before handing him the clothes.
“Put these on whil-NOT YET WAIT TILL I LEAVE FIRST GODDAMNIT!” he hurriedly shouts, grabbing the towel to keep it on and causing the mackerel to pause. He takes a deep breath to steady himself before letting go once he’s sure the other won’t try again.
“Change after I leave, and I’ll come to get you after I've set up a futon in the living room for you, okay?” he receives a nod before he practically books it out of their back to the safety of the bathroom.
Once there, he begins the process of cleaning all the water and blood off the floor. He puts all the towels in the laundry basket for tomorrow before moving onto the hall. When all the water is gone, he heads to the cupboard to pull out a spare futon he keeps. He dusts it off before placing it on the floor by the sofa, grabbing a spare pillow to go with it. That done, he heads back to his bedroom to retrieve Dazai. He stops in his tracks in the doorway when he finds him curled up on his bed. He’s grabbed one of the pillows to cuddle to his chest, and he can’t help but admire how relaxed his face looks whilst asleep. In his bed. Wareing his clothes. He ignores the warm, fluttering feeling in his stomach at that thought. He sighed for the umpteenth time that day. Much like a cat, it would be impossible to interrupt his slumber to move him. Accepting his fate, he only comes in to pull the quilt over the sleeping mermaid and grab his own night clothes before hedging out to the living room and finally getting to rest.
He thinks about how he’s gonna deal with the Port Mafia mess he was tasked with cleaning up and how that might tie in with the mermaid before he falls asleep. But his dreams are haunted by raw umber.