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Clenching the bouquet of white lilies in his hand, Ango anxiously steps through the rusted metal gates of the cemetery. It’s not that he has never visited Odasaku before. But, he has never done so in broad daylight, much less on a day as clear and beautiful as today. Ango is getting used to having the dark or heavy rain as camouflage on his occasional visits, fearful of the brass learning about the two dear friends he made in secret, fearful of disturbing this sacred ground Dazai found sanctuary in.
During the first two years, Ango never got a chance to set foot in the cemetery grounds, unable to align his rare breaks with Dazai’s even rarer absence. Ango routinely resorted to pacing up and down along the tall metal fences then, watching over the lone figure behind a certain gravestone from a distance, making sure Dazai left the place with his life intact each time he visited – not that Dazai would ever try anything in Odasaku’s presence, but it never hurts to be careful.
Yet, here Ango is – for the first time since that fateful night – visiting Odasaku on the day of the anniversary, the one day he is sure to run into Dazai. It’s quite daring on his part to say the least, Dazai has yet to grace him with forgiveness. But, Ango likes to think their friendship has been on the mend since the Decay of Angels incident — courtesy of the tiger boy, who is far too kind for his own good, bless his soul. The last time they crossed paths, Dazai seemed to have dropped his habit of swiping Ango’s pistol, and Ango took it as a sign that it’s safe to show his face around here today.
By the time Odasaku’s headstone comes into Ango’s view, he spots Dazai in his usual spot behind the white tablet. Though, to Ango’s surprise, Dazai is not alone this year. Wearing a bright smile on his face, Dazai is talking to his blonde companion, who stands upon seeing Ango.
“Sakaguchi-san, it’s good to see you,” Kunikida bows in greeting – ever the courteous man. “We’ve been expecting you. Dazai mentioned you would come..” He trails off looking down at his partner, who is now feigning sleep to ignore their new company. With a slight frown, Kunikida nudges Dazai with his leg. “Oi, Dazai. Don’t be rude. You’ve been waiting for him the whole day, haven’t you?”
Dazai’s eyes immediately snap open to shoot him a look of betrayal. “Dazai,” Kunikida chided, crouching down in front of him while holding his gaze. After a moment, Dazai looks away with a quiet sigh.
“Hello, Ango,” he finally greets begrudgingly, although his voice is not as cold and distant as Ango expected it to be. “I see you’re still alive and kicking.”
“Would you rather I wasn’t?” Ango retorts before he addresses the other man. “It’s good to see you too, Kunikida-san. I hope Fukuzawa-dono is doing well?”
“Ah, yes. Shachou is well. I believe he paid Chief Taneda a visit last weekend.” The detective scoots closer to his partner. Then, he motions Ango to the spot where he was originally sitting. “Please. Feel free to join us, Sakaguchi-san.” He pauses. “Oh. Not that I am in any position to be inviting anyone today..” He trails off with a sheepish chuckle.
Letting out a soft chuckle himself, Ango sits down in front of the two men. “I have to say I’m quite surprised to meet you here, Kunikida-san.” Kunikida throws a quick side glance at Dazai – as though he is looking for a permission of some sort – before he replies.
“Ah. I do hope I’m not intruding on your reunion,” Kunikida quips with a chuckle, trying to ease the tension. “Dazai wanted me to meet Odasaku-san. He’s been telling me about a lot of things lately.” He places a hand on Dazai’s knee. “Odasaku-san sounds like a wonderful person. I would’ve loved to know him. I know it’s been a few years already but.. I’m sorry for your loss.”
‘Odasaku-san’. I see.., Ango smiles softly at the pair. So, he’s finally opening up to his partner.
“I heard you arrived from France just the other day,” Dazai finally speaks up, placing his hand on Kunikida's. “Didn’t bring any souvenirs?”
“I didn’t think I’d run into you.” And, he shouldn’t have, had Dazai not been waiting for him. A little behind Kunikida, Ango spots a small picnic basket – they must’ve been here since the morning.
“You brought him lilies?” Dazai asks, gesturing to the bouquet beside Ango. After Ango hands it over to him, Dazai stands up. “Look, Odasaku! Ango brought you white lilies. Your favourite,” he announces cheerfully, walking over to sit on the front side of the headstone. “Look at all these beautiful blooms. As expected of Ango. He always brings us the best gifts, doesn't he, Odasaku?” He leans the bouquet against the headstone with a soft smile. “There. How lovely. No wonder you were so fond of him, Odasaku.”
“Shall I also bring you something next time?” Dazai’s voice trails off and his smile fades away as he traces the words engraved on the white stone. Kunikida is by the brunette’s side before Ango can even come up with a proper reaction.
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll have it noted down in my notebook for you,” he says, placing a comforting arm around Dazai. “Does next Sunday sound good to you? Or is it too soon?”
“Next Sunday?” Dazai looks up at Kunikida in mild surprise. “But I thought you are going to-”
“Well, that can wait,” Kunikida cuts him off. “I mean.. If you want it to. Or you can come alone if that’s what you want. It’s your call really.”
“No, no. You can come,” Dazai pauses. “But, not next Sunday though.. Maybe the week after?”
“Alright. I’ll make time for it in my schedule,” he promises, tightening his hold on Dazai.
“Thank you, Kunikida-kun.” Dazai gives him a small smile.
Ah, here it is. That little spark of something that Ango noticed here and there amidst the Decay of Angels chaos. When he first caught a glimpse of it, it was on the screen of an electrocardiogram. Manipulating his heartbeat is merely a party trick for Dazai, but the sensors did not miss the few beats that momentarily spiralled out of his control when he received news of Kunikida Doppo blowing himself up. Then, in Anne’s room, in the look of dread that flashed Kunikida’s features upon learning that Dazai was fending against Fyodor alone in the Meursault. And again, in Kunikida’s hoarse voice, desperately yelling for their doctor, while he ran with a pale and unconscious Dazai cradled in his arms.
Ango has never gotten the chance to ask either of them what it was all about. Right now, looking at their intertwined hands as Kunikida gently lifts Dazai off the ground, he feels like he doesn’t need to. If it is capable of drawing such an earnest smile on Dazai’s face, then.. it doesn’t really matter what it is.
“Sakaguchi-san, if you will excuse us..” Kunikida starts, picking up their basket.
“Leaving so soon?” Ango asks, surprised by their sudden departure. Normally, Dazai stays here until it gets dark enough for the old guard to feel obligated to send him away.
“Ah yes. We have plans for the evening,” Kunikida explains. “With the entire agency, of course. That’s a given..” Why he even felt the need to elaborate, Ango doesn’t know. To think such a serious and sincere man would be permanently stuck with the god of mischief that is his friend. Ango can only laugh in amusement at the thought.
Also, making plans on the day of Odasaku's anniversary? Oh, how things have changed for their young friend.
“Very well. Have a good evening, Kunikida-san,” he nods at them in acknowledgement. “And you, Dazai.”
“Oh, we will,” Dazai replies without missing a beat. “Come on, Kunikida-kun. We can’t have everyone else waiting on us now, can we?”
“Oi, Dazai. Wait up-” Kunikida calls for the brunette, who is walking away without so much as a goodbye. He shakes his head in fond disapproval before he turns to Ango. “It was great seeing you today, Sakaguchi-san. Please drop in anytime, and do take care.” The detective gives him a quick nod before he jogs after his partner, who greets him by hooking his arm through Kunikida’s.
Ango chuckles quietly, looking at the pair as they walk away, his eyes warm as his heart feels a bit full.
“Now, won’t you look at that, Odasaku-san,” he says softly, leaning against his friend’s gravestone.
“Rest easy, my friend.”